REVIEWS / COMPARE
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S vs Thinkpad SK-8845
Thinkpad SK-8845 edges ahead at 10.0 vs 9.7 — but read the trade-offs below; HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S may still be the better fit for you.
| HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S | Thinkpad SK-8845 | |
|---|---|---|
| RATING | 9.7 / 10 | 10.0 / 10 |
| CONFIDENCE | low | low |
| USER VOICES | 67 | 26 |
| POSITIVE | 84% | 85% |
| PRICE | — | — |
| RECOMMENDED | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S
★ STRENGTHS
- Exceptional reported longevity (10+ years from multiple owners)
- Unique silent Topre switch feel distinct from standard mechanical switches
- AA battery design chosen for long-term sustainability over convenience
✗ WATCH OUT
- Very high price point (user describes as costing multiple paychecks)
- Niche HHKB layout requires significant adaptation (Ctrl, Backspace, etc. relocated)
- No arrow keys or function row—dealbreaker for many workflows
Thinkpad SK-8845
★ STRENGTHS
- Excellent for keyboard-centric workflows and CLI environments
- Features the highly desired classic 7-row layout
- Integrated TrackPoint eliminates need to reach for a mouse
✗ WATCH OUT
- Discontinued and increasingly rare to find new
- High prices on secondary markets (eBay, AliExpress)
- Specific regional layouts (e.g., Danish/Norwegian) may be undesirable for some users
HOW THIS COMPARISON WAS BUILT
Both verdicts are synthesised from real user voices on Reddit, YouTube, Hacker News, ProductHunt, Trustpilot and editorial sources — 67 for HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S, 26 for Thinkpad SK-8845. No paid placement; ratings come from raw sentiment, not our opinion. Read the methodology.