Tangent's Blog

¶Preface

I switched from CC1 to CC2 two days ago (2024/12/28. I started writing this article on 2024/12/30). Though I had only used CC2 briefly, I could sense many improvements in this upgrade, so I decided to start writing a review for CC2.

I had written a review article for CC1 before. CC2 inherits all the points I wrote about CC1 in that article. Then, in this article, I will focus on the improvements or differences between CC2 and CC1.

¶Extended USB-C Port

After I took out the CC2 from the travel case and saw the CC2 for the first time, the first thing that amazed me was the exposed USB-C port. On CC1, the USB-C port is deep inside the device, so I need to use an additional small USB-C extender to make it easier to be re-plugged. However, the USB-C port of CC2 is already extended so I don’t need the additional extender anymore! It’s a great improvement.

¶Keycaps

I found that the metal keycaps of CC1, especially the gray ones, are a bit cold in cold weather, though they get warmer after using them for a while. However, the ones on CC2 don’t have this problem. It’s good for me because I often have cold hands in winter times.

Moreover, the rubber rings add friction between the keycaps and fingers. They make the keycaps more controllable.

¶Quietness

Though the sound of CC1 is already negligible during daytime, they are a bit loud when I use it in a quiet environment. In contrast, CC2 is really quiet even when using it in such an environment. Having less noise helps me focus better.

¶Lighter Switches

On CC2, the switches are lighter, and it reduces the workload of my fingers. Especially, I feel that moving the mouse cursor get much easier. It’s a huge improvement in ergonomics.

¶Summary

CC2 has many great improvements over CC1. The extended USB-C port makes it easier to be re-plugged. The new keycaps are not cold when used in cold weather, and they are more controllable. Moreover, the quietness helps me focus better, while the lighter keys make it more ergonomic. It has become more perfect than the previous generation!

¶Accessories

¶Hand Protection

As mentioned in my CC1 and CC2 progress article, I had some pain problems on my index fingers and wrists, mainly due to the long-term bad typing habit. To reduce the problem, I bought the half-finger gloves, wrist bands, and finger splint from Copper Compression. They do a good job of reducing my pain. Even now, I sometimes use my CC2 with those gloves, and my hands feel twice as comfortable.

¶Keyboard Tray

The desk I use my computers on doesn’t have a built-in keyboard tray, and the keyboard placed on it is too high for my hands. I found that this might be another cause of my hand problems, so I bought a keyboard tray that can be installed under my desk.

This keyboard tray is the one I bought. However, it can only be shipped to the mainland and outlying islands of Taiwan. You can probably find similar ones that can ship to your country from other companies.

¶Software Applications (on MacOS)

¶Karabiner

Karabiner is the application I use to remap the key on the software side.

With it, I swap the command keys and ctrl keys on my CC2, and remap the right option key to ctrl key on my normal keyboards.

¶Hammerspoon

Hammerspoon is a tool for powerful automation of MacOS. I use it to automatically snap windows to grid and add nome hotkeys.

¶Input Sources

I have four input sources on my Mac computer. They are ABC (English), Zhuyin (Mac built-in), McBopomofo (with my custom Bopomofo layout for CC1, CC2, and M4G), and Japanese.

To quickly switch to a certain input method, I have the following shortcuts. (https://github.com/andy23512/setting-files/blob/7360eae2f7980aa295c99575b98ee1874a448c2b/Shell/init.lua#L224-L263)

(I often accidentally triggered cmd+m when I want to use cmd+alt+m, so I turn off the default cmd+m hotkey and let it do the same thing as cmd+alt+m.)

¶Window Arrangement

To easily arrange the window positions or sizes without much mouse dragging, I set several shortcuts and auto grid snapping. (https://github.com/andy23512/setting-files/blob/0d5379447f26dadbe3ac90cbf2415e783ea766c6/Shell/init.lua#L17-L197)

The shortcuts are:

¶Mouse Teleport

To move the mouse cursor faster on a dual-wide screen, I set several shortcuts for teleporting the mouse horizontally. (https://github.com/andy23512/setting-files/blob/0d5379447f26dadbe3ac90cbf2415e783ea766c6/Shell/init.lua#L231-L252)

The mouse cursor will be moved to the corresponding line when alt+shift+[1-5] is triggered.

¶Switch to Application

To switch between applications faster, I set several shortcuts for it. (https://github.com/andy23512/setting-files/blob/0d5379447f26dadbe3ac90cbf2415e783ea766c6/Shell/init.lua#L254-L266)

¶Volume Control

To control the volume faster, I set two shortcuts to increase and decrease volume by 10%. (https://github.com/andy23512/setting-files/blob/0d5379447f26dadbe3ac90cbf2415e783ea766c6/Shell/init.lua#L268-L282)

¶Raycast

Raycast is a collection of powerful productivity tools all within an extendable launcher. I use it to open applications, web pages, VSCode projects, etc.