As a writer, I take the tools of my trade relatively seriously. I’m not crazy enough to spend $3,600 on a keyboard, but I also find typing on a MacBook for long periods of time extremely unsatisfying and distracting. So this spring, I started looking into a distraction-free writing setup, consisting of an e-reader/writer and a mechanical keyboard.
I started with the Boox Palma 2 because its E Ink screen and limited connectivity combined with a good keyboard make it a solid distraction-free solution. After quite a bit of research, the keyboard I decided on was the NuPhy Air60 V2, which had the company’s heaviest tactile mouse switches and a gorgeous NuFolio case in “nostalgic tan,” which is actually dark yellow.
Now, I’m no connoisseur of mechanical keyboards, but I find the Air60 V2 a joy to type on. Its low-profile keys don’t have the same travel and feedback as my regular keyboard or my vintage IBM Model M, but it’s still a vast improvement over my MacBook’s scissor switch keyboard. The Moss switches provide a decent amount of thump, but they’re not loud enough that I’d avoid using the keyboard in public. That might be a bit much for a quiet café, but I’ve worked on articles and short stories while sitting in a bar and certainly haven’t felt self-conscious about it.
The ability to pair it with up to three devices means I can easily move the NuPhy between my personal laptop, my work laptop, and the Boox. It also comes with a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, but I rarely need it.
I often bring the Air60 with me for some writing on quiet nights when I’m bartending. (Come visit me at Flagship Brewery on Tuesdays and Thursdays.) If I need to use my laptop, the Air60 is designed to fit perfectly over a MacBook keyboard while providing easy access to the trackpad. But more often than not I’ll bring the Palma 2. The NuFolio works as a stand as well as a keyboard cover, and the Palma’s Flip Case hangs perfectly on top, creating a nice little self-contained writing setup that’s ideal for when I don’t want (or need) access to the Internet.
I sometimes use it at home too. When I decided to start writing fiction again for the first time in nearly 20 years, I installed Obsidian on Palma and, combined with Air60, it became my favorite. As someone who often relies on timers to stay on task, I found NuPhy and Palma to be a panacea for my attention struggles. One reason for this is that I’m really looking forward to typing on the Air60. The feel, the sound, even the color scheme is so gratifying that no laptop keyboard ever can be.
This is not a perfect solution. The 64-key layout is great for portability, but it can be a little cramped — I make a few more mistakes typing on the Air60 than on more generous keyboards. And its shallow angle may be a little uncomfortable for sitting at a desk for long periods of time. But it’s actually perfect for use with a standing desk (or bar) or even while resting on your lap.
When I bought NuPhy earlier this year I wasn’t sure it would be a wise use of my limited funds (I’d been under unemployment for over a year and dependent on dwindling freelance assignments). But nine months later, it has become an essential part of my writing routine.
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