Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

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mccoyn
Posts: 2
Joined: 17 May 2022, 09:56

Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by mccoyn » 17 May 2022, 10:03

I'm shopping for a new keyboard and I want to move my AHK hotkeys to new buttons, which I can put labels on so I remember what they do. Is there a keyboard that has extra buttons that are compatible with AHK?

I see there are some gaming keyboards, such as the Corsair K57 which have macro buttons. From my investigation, AHK can't handle the buttons directly. I'd like to avoid installing extra software to map those buttons to hotkeys that are used by AHK.

FWIW, I'm using Windows 10 doing software development.

BoBo
Posts: 6564
Joined: 13 May 2014, 17:15

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by BoBo » 17 May 2022, 10:11

What about to create your own application specific (virtual) keyboard layouts using a mobile device? :thumbup:
With Matric (Android) OR 'Touch Portal' (Android/iOS) (or other similar apps) you could assign AHK scripts to an app specific button layout that you've created, triggering your PC/MAC/Linux.

And that's, AFAIR, for the price of a cup of coffee. Have phun :)

gregster
Posts: 8921
Joined: 30 Sep 2013, 06:48

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by gregster » 17 May 2022, 10:16

Or use two keyboards...
With the AutoHotInterception library (and a corresponding third-party driver), you can differentiate two (or more) keyboards (sth what standard AHK can't do), at least all the "normal" keys.


BoBo
Posts: 6564
Joined: 13 May 2014, 17:15

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by BoBo » 17 May 2022, 10:43

pervect66 wrote:
17 May 2022, 10:37
Check these:

https://www.reviewgeek.com/37129/6-reprogrammable-macro-pads-for-macros-and-shortcuts/

The Elgato Stream Deck is really nice :shock:
… and now let's talk about costs and ROI ;)

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pervect66
Posts: 27
Joined: 09 Jun 2021, 06:53

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by pervect66 » 17 May 2022, 10:45

BoBo wrote:
17 May 2022, 10:43
pervect66 wrote:
17 May 2022, 10:37
Check these:

https://www.reviewgeek.com/37129/6-reprogrammable-macro-pads-for-macros-and-shortcuts/

The Elgato Stream Deck is really nice :shock:
… and now let's talk about costs and ROI ;)
Those don't count for toys :bravo: :dance:

mccoyn
Posts: 2
Joined: 17 May 2022, 09:56

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by mccoyn » 17 May 2022, 12:19

I am willing to spend some money since I use the keyboard every day. I'm replacing my old keyboard because the leg that puts it at a nice angle broke off (socket broke). Ideally, I would like everything on a single wireless keyboard with 5 - 15 extra buttons. Maybe I'm being to picky.

jarhead
Posts: 149
Joined: 09 Sep 2020, 12:43

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by jarhead » 17 May 2022, 14:41

I use the 32 button version of the Elgato Stream Deck... I run tons of AHK scripts using the Stream Deck. I freaking love it. The 15 button version was around $100 bucks on Amazon recently.

BoBo
Posts: 6564
Joined: 13 May 2014, 17:15

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by BoBo » 17 May 2022, 16:21

100 applications = 100 keyboards… 1000 buttons, or whatever you like…

https://www.touch-portal.com/blog/post/tutorials/automatic-switching-pages-on-touch-portal.php
https://www.touch-portal.com/

Pro lifetime release $12.99 :shh:

halweg
Posts: 93
Joined: 17 Apr 2018, 10:34
Location: Dresden

Re: Is there a keyboard with compatible macro buttons?

Post by halweg » 18 May 2022, 12:42

I used an Microsoft Keyboard Elite for 18 years. It has 24 extra keys and it's wireless.

But now I own the Elgato Stream Deck 32 and it's quite a new world of having specialized keys for nearly everything that comes in mind.
And you can have every key with your own picture, even with animated gifs. Sub menus with separate pictures are possible. The keys are haptic, no touch screen.
That's not a toy but an important part of my working equipment.
The only disadvantage so far is the Elgato keys have a little more distance from the main keyboard.

The interface for the Stream Deck is easy and so is the connection to AHK-procedures. The only additional thing I'd like to have is automatically set pictures and functions to stream deck keys. I'm working on it ...

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