When comparing TypeMatrix 2030 vs Realforce 87U Tenkeyless, the Slant community recommends Realforce 87U Tenkeyless for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” Realforce 87U Tenkeyless is ranked 16th while TypeMatrix 2030 is ranked 22nd. The most important reason people chose Realforce 87U Tenkeyless is:
This keyboard is equipped with mechanical Topre switches that offer a pleasant tactile experience that resembles playing the piano thanks to their complicated mechanical design. Additionally, Topre switched doesn't feel loose or wobbly since the mechanism is actually attached to a rigid plate that is placed above the printed circuit board.
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Pros
Pro Ergonomic keyboard
The matrix layout reduces the travel distance of fingers. The keys feature membrane switches with double-scissor substrate, which are quite comfortable and very quiet.
Pro The HOME, END, ARROW keys and PG UP, PG Down are close together and on a nice spot on the keyboard.
Pro Compact
This keyboard has a small footprint, only 324 by 133 mm. This not only leaves more room on the desk, but also and mainly reduces the lateral travel distance of the right hand to grab the mouse. It still offers a good numeric keypad thanks to the matrix layout.
Pro Skins
Numerous skins are available, making it simple to keep the keyboard clean and even quieter. They also allow for multiple layouts.

Pro Increased typing accuracy
This keyboard's matrix layout allows for increased typing accuracy. It gets rid of the typewriter keyboard legacy in favor of a more logical layout.
Pro BÉPO and Dvorak layouts
These layouts are not easy to find, especially the first one. While they don't necessarily increase the typing speed, they greatly reduce the travel distance of the fingers, and have a much better distribution of the keys than regular AZERTY or QWERTY layouts.
Pro Pleasant tactile feeling
This keyboard is equipped with mechanical Topre switches that offer a pleasant tactile experience that resembles playing the piano thanks to their complicated mechanical design.
Additionally, Topre switched doesn't feel loose or wobbly since the mechanism is actually attached to a rigid plate that is placed above the printed circuit board.
Pro Doesn't produce much noise
You will not draw your colleagues and members of household insane while working with this keyboard since the Topre switches produce less noise than the traditional mechanical switches like the Cherry MX-Red or MX-Brown.
Pro Key caps feel wonderfully silky
Pro Compact
Thanks to its tenkeyless design the Realforce 87U is very compact and, therefore, doesn't take up too much space in a bag.
Cons
Con The skins won't last forever and are expensive to replace
Con Unusual layout
The central position of the Enter and Backspace keys, on top of the matrix arrangement, requires some time to get used to.
Con Tenkeyless design
This keyboard lacks numpad.
Con Cable position is inconvenient
This might not be the best option for those who's workspace is limited since the keyboard's cable connector is located on the right side of the Realforce 87U - just at the place where you would typically place a mouse.
