I really don't understand the numpad-less trend of fashionable keyboards. Doing any kind of number entry beyond one or two digits is very annoying without one.
They also don't take up that much space really.
If your keyboard is a portable one you pack with you on trips, I get it. If it lives on a desk, why not splash out the small amount extra to make number entry much easier.
Cannot speak to the fashion side of it but my original motivator to move to a keypad less was to reduce the distance of the mouse to my typing space. I do not do any type of data entry and rarely type numbers with enough frequency to require it.
Do you not know how to touch type without looking at the keyboard at all or have you just not learned where the numbers are? Shouldn't you take the time to learn to type correctly instead of relying on moving your entire hand just to type a number?
I truly do not mean to be insulting or anything, but I read comments like this a lot and they really confuse me. I don't need a numpad because I know how to touch type and don't have trouble putting in numbers with the number row without looking, I never used the numpad even when I had a keyboard that had one.
For why I got a board without it, ergonomics. My mouse is where the numpad would've been. Having a shorter keyboard reduces the distance between my hands at the points where I need to use a mouse to about shoulder width, keeping my arms aligned with my shoulders and greatly reduces shoulder impinging issues I was having.
Distance to mouse means I either have to stretch my arm in long-term unhealthy positions leading to shoulder, neck, and upper back pain, or offset the keyboard and have the non-keypad not front and center.
Typing numbers on a single row is not an issue for me, so numpad brings me little benefits and significant drawbacks.
Good thing I rarely enter more than a few digits :)
Having a "tenkeyless" means my mouse position is aligned with my shoulder, with a full width keyboard my arm would be rotated constantly, leading to pain.
I'm a designer and primarily use my mouse + keyboard shortcuts. Keyboards with numpads push my mouse position further out right, which is actually quite awkward on the shoulder (it has to be twisted outwards). With a tenkeyless board, my shoulders and forearms are straight.
I would consider a separate numpad so it can be moved around if needed, but that need never really comes up for me.
I really don't understand the numpad-less trend of fashionable keyboards.
OK, I've read all the answers so far, in the hope that somebody had told you before, but no!
I don't use the numpad, so it's useless to me. But does it harm? In the case of these keyboards, not so much, except for the reason others have already explained of more distance for the mouse. I can live with it, but my next keyboard will be numpad-less for sure.
If we talk about laptops, that's a different story. Numpads for those are terrible, for me anyway.
They shift the center of the hands, that is between G and H, from the center of the laptop and thus the center of the screen, so your hands are in an unnatural position.
If you center an external wide keyboard, you get the same effect. I don't, but I try to use the GH line... "try" because the push from the mouse always tend to move it to the left.
So now you know, for some of us it's not a question of fashion, but usability :)
I prefer a separate numpad. Always have. I like it with the loud clicky switches because I can hear a double tap mistake. You can also then move the main keyboard over and use one hand on the arrows and really blaze through a spreadsheet.
10/10 would recommend a separate numpad. Also good for macros in games or Photoshop or whatever.
The real pro move is using a keyboard with the numpad on the left side (southpaw). This decreases distance from normal typing hand position to the mouse while also keeping a numpad and giving you the ability to control the numpad w/ the left hand while mousing around w/ the righthand for data entry in apps like excel.
Many keyboards allow you to map additional layers, so if you want a numpad, it's pretty trivial to put one in the place your hand already is, instead of moving your hand over.
Ortholinear or orthocolumnar layouts are much easier to touchtype with IME, this is also the layout of a numpad (straight rows, not a "typewriter" layout with staggered rows). I'm not sure why those are not popular, even among "keyboard enthusiasts". Heck, even among gamers: I can play from my home row comfortably, and have plenty of keys on both sides of my hand.
Anyway, I'm currently using an Ergodox EZ and it's very simple: I have a numpad "layer" activated with a key. The keyboard already has the right layout, so activating this layer with the left hand lets me quickly enter a number with my right hand (from the home row).
I cannot stand any keyboard less than a 100% layout. I have 30 years of muscle memory built up, and I'm not about to relearn it.
I don't really have any beef with those who want a smaller keyboard (though I don't really understand it - no way is your desk so small that saving a few inches actually makes a difference). But it is a real bummer that makers of high-end keyboards only cater to that crowd, and don't make nice keyboards that are full size. I would love to get a GMMK Pro, for example - if only it was in the form factor I want.
For the real luxury stuff, there aren't great options for a 95%+ layout. And they're typically more expensive without being as "high quality". The luxury keyboard world is very focused on small form factor.
The only time I miss it is gaming. Flight/Space sims, Factorio, things like that really benefit from a numpad. Otherwise, I'm not typing numbers enough to care.
Some people don't do number entry of any scale that would make them want to take their hands off the home row. I'm one, I have small keyboards everywhere.
My wife on the other hand has a custom keyboard with a num pad on each side so she can num pad with a mouse in her hand.
People have different needs. And different workflows. Not sure why that's news to you.
Quite the ratio here. Definitely agree with the masses that 1) almost no one does number entry 2) many touch typers are plenty fast enough on the number row 3) it does take up space really, especially in laptop or directly next to a mouse. I touch type 24 digit numbers at work from the num row, it's fine really.
I don't need a redundant set of numeric keys on the right side of the keyboard for the same reason I don't need a redundant set of vowels on the left side of the board.
For an accountant or someone whose keyboard usage is exceedingly numbers-centric, then sure. But as a default option, it's a space eating waste.
I have a full size Code keyboard at home and a tenkeyless one for work. I went with the TKL because it has a much smaller desk footprint and I end up with a bunch of other stuff taking up space on my desk at work. I can also fit the keyboard in my laptop bag if I need to (admittedly, this has mattered almost never). At home I end up doing enough number entry in personal finance spreadsheets and the like that I feel like I’d miss the numpad, but it’s rarely been an issue for me at work.
The reason people ditch number pads is so that their mouse can be closer to them. Feel what your upper arm is doing as you rotate to get to a mouse that's next to a number pad, that is painful for a lot of people. (If you use your mouse with your left hand, then this doesn't matter.)
Personally, I just have a layer that I activate with my right thumb to turn the m,.jkluio keys into 123456789, so it's like having a number pad, but one that doesn't take up any space.
My solution: on all of the keyboards I've programmed (which are all ortholinear or vertical staggered ortholinear), I have a numpad layer. When I hold down F my right hand home row is vim style arrows. D and it's a number pad. S and it's a symbol pad. Common programming delimiters like <>{}() are not on a layer, instead they're hold/tap with my modifier keys on my base layer (Inspired by the space cadet keyboard).
The last time I used a numberpad was to play Civilisation in the 90s, so I don't really miss it. I hate moving my hands too far from the home row, and it's now a few inches less travel to my mouse when I need it so that's a positive. If I ever had to manually enter a bunch of numbers in a spreadsheet or something I'd either automate it or re-evaluate my life choices.
I particularly hate number pads on laptop keyboards because they put the touch pad right where my wrist occasionally touches as I type.
I've used the old Mac 104 key aluminium wired keyboard for about 10 years now. I originally used it with Linux and now with MacOS at work and my home Windows PC. I've occasionally had minor difficulties with mapping but nothing insurmountable.
I don't know about his keyboards, but many now have meta switches to turn the ~jkl; block area into a num pad. Then you don't have to move your right hand to input numbers. Left hand holds the meta key; right hand inputs numbers. On my Kinesis Advantage 3, I think the number 1 or 2 meta key on the left side of the board is set up this way.
My unhealthy relationship with keyboards came to an end as soon as I bought my first Keychron keyboard with a knob (Q-series).
After using this keyboard, I can't imagine ever buying another keyboard without a knob. It's really great to control your audio volume with an appropriate hardware control rather than pressing the same key 15 times in a row like an idiot or fiddling around with the mouse.
You can configure the knob (or any key) to do different things with different key combinations, at the hardware level even (with the Via tool), so you don't have to configure multiple OSes one-by-one to do the same thing. I've configured Alt+Knob rotation to control my screen brightness, which I adjust multiple times per day. You can also configure it to control the zoom, or move the mouse, etc.
The knob also functions as an additional key if you press it downwards. I think by default it is configured to mute (which makes sense, since by default a knob rotation without any other key combination controls the audio volume).
When you go look for keyboards with a knob you won't find many, and the Keychron keyboards (Q-series and Q Pro-series, the latter being both wired and wireless), are really the best there is AFAIK (unless you create your own, perhaps).
One of the 5 keyboards on your list you used all the way through university, and there's only 2 keyboards after. This feels far from an unhealthy obsession to me.
I might be biased by spending too much time watching people dive into the hobby of mechanical keyboards, but I'm impressed he found the strenght to not go too far into it.
I've also had - and collect - an insane amount of keyboards, much like my musician friends collect instruments. I have 46 keyboards currently - mostly TKL mechanical (Cherry/Topre/Kailh/Gateron), a Moonlander, and some Apple, Microsoft and Logitech.
But the only keyboard I actually use for my work is a Lenovo TrackPoint II Bluetooth keyboard (best keyboard ever made IMO).
Nice to see the Noppoo Choc Mini! I had the same keyboard, got me through 5 years of starcraft 2 and another 5 years of brood war remastered. Had to retire it when I stopped playing starcraft and now use a kinesis advantage360 pro when working/programming.
If you haven't used a split keyboard, I highly recommend it! It feels way more natural typing and less stressful on your wrists. I still use a kinesis freestyle 2 on my desktop pc, good enough for most games too. It feels alien at first but you quickly adapt. It's also not hard to go back and forth between the different types of keyboards.
FYI: You can put a low-profile mechanical keyboard on top of your MacBook built-in keyboard and it works great.
I use the Keychron K1 Pro with Brown Gateron switches. It's an 80% (ten-key-less / TKL). I needed this one because I use the right shift key a lot and it has a full-size one whereas the 75% is shortened.
You get used to the slightly different layout very quickly. You might swap back and forth a bit but when you go to bed you will start dreaming about typing on it. You will even enjoy doing typing races just to press the keys.
Another new one just released is the NuPhy Air75V2.
This person might enjoy the Keychron K1. I have used mine for many years. It's a bit less "low profile" than a mac keyboard, but the difference is not enough to require different finger movement - I get used to the different height in minutes.
The author should try a keychron- variety of switch/key profiles available-including low profile, supports Bluetooth and cable, and Mac and windows key layout, via subtle little side switches, cones with platform-specific spare keys for CMD/option etc. Comes in a variety of sizes and the newest ones are fully programmable, should you want to go down that particular rabbit hole. The build quality is also solid.
> Because it's compatible with multiple OS's I use it for work on my company issued Macbook and personal usage on my own Linux machine.
Underrated line in the article. I have such a problem selecting keyboards because I use MacOS and Linux. I have the same problem with KVMs as the two use two different ways of outputting a screen. I exclusively use Keychrons at this point for both gaming and work.
I was genuinely hoping to see something weird like how you designed your custom PCBs and made a simple ergonomic keyboard for yourself. How you transitioned the mortal plane into a weird keyboard realm.
For context: https:/www.youtube.com/@BenVallack/
The channel is about pure keyboard obsession. Please share it with your family to show them that you are no where obsessed with the keyboards!
I recently got a Keychron Q11 split keyboard. The quality of the keyboard is so good that I think the people involved in making these keyboards must be truly keyboard lovers.
All my best keyboards have been given to me. All my worst keyboards have been purchased by me.
My first job was very much a garage shop web hosting business so I just rummaged through the boxes and found an old IBM model M (not realizing its later cult status).
At another later job I just grabbed a full length apple keyboard with numpad that was laying around. During boring times at that job I placed in top 20 at typeracer with that keyboard.
Whenever I tried to be like other nerd friends and buy a cool nerdy clicketyclack keyboard I always ended up disappointed.
Now the last 15 years or so I mostly used Thinkpad keyboards and they're just fine.
I never understood the Mac keyboards. For me a are a sensory deprivation chamber.
I am wielding a ROG Falchion Green Cherry MX Gaming Keyboard. Is a backlit keyboard with good feedback and sound. But there is a hollow sound to the keys that is not ideal.
My favorite keyboard I cannot use because is not backlit.
The CoolerMaster Storm QuickFire Rapid - Tenkeyless.
The keys are so smooth to the touch and there is a slight high pitch to the keys action sound. Very solid action. My precious.
I love it. I cannot use it in the dark. It is a discontinued model. :(
I would go for the apple magic keyboard, except for that arrow key cluster. Had a macbook with those once and hated it.
Good that the author pointed out the inability of removing keys to clean with the Logi MX. I'd have sprung for that but dislike anything that is potentially going to become garbage.
Hey keyboard and computer enthusiast! I need your help!
Any other keyboard I've ever tried hurts my wrists, arm, and back, and causes me pain except the "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000". However they were discontinued years ago. :( I've been buying up used ones and learning how to disassemble and repair the ones I have the best I can, but my skills are limited.
If anyone has any (unopened) ones or knows of good replacements or how to make a new replacement (with same layout). I'd be incredibly grateful.
Most alternatives don't really have the wrist/angle support which is the #1. Then the arrow keys/home/pgup pgdn keys is next most important, and lastly the numpad and F1-F12 row keys. I don't care about special top row buttons or any of the 'special' keys on it.
Also, before people mention it, the Arisu or Feker Alice layout keyboards is nothing at all like the same wrist/angle support, it's basically just a split keyboard. :/ Most suggestions have missed the whole point of wrist/angle support being the issue.
I don't mind it being mechanical or anything so long as it's the basically the same layout/angle as the Microsoft ergo 4000. The replacement 'Microsoft ergonomic keyboard' non 4000 is 'okayish' but not as good as 4000. Other than those 2, I've never found one even remotely close to my needs. Thanks! <3
FYI, there's a somewhat related topic at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37630804 concerning the difficulties of editing text on a mobile under the heading Text editing on mobile: the invisible problem.
As is my usual wont, I had a long rave about such matters but one of the points I raised that may interest those here was the lack of Bluetooth keyboards, especially the more portable types with good mechanical switches.
After posting, I thought I'd better do a updated search to see if the market had improved and I've just discovered a complete range of keyboards of which I was unaware, namely NuPhy https://nuphy.com/ (perhaps I'm a member of the mushroom club and the last to know). Anyway, it seems the market has improved significantly in the last year or so since I last looked.
There's good range of KBs with combo Bluetooth 5.0 + wireless + USB-C cable + hot-swappable keys/key types. Some reviews seem favorable but I'd be interested to hear experiences from others who've actually used them.
I have a Logitech MX Keys too. Though when I got it I also had some concerns about how charging it would be a odd experience, after 1.5 years or so of usage I just have to charge it in like each 3 months - and still you get to use it while it's charging. I don't use the backlight feature so I guess for other people that time between charging can be shorter.
I haven't had the need to disassemble it for cleaning so I use a small brush to remove crumbs and stuff. Sometimes I too feel that it is large, but still the numpad is convenient. The alternative would be a 'compact' design but I don't like how they cram the Enter key in a single row and make the up and down keys half of the height of a normal key.
My complain against it is its privative nature - with Linux, you can't use the
screen brightness keys unless you install something like Logiops or Solaar. Alas I've found Logips a bit buggy so when you're running it the mouse wheel becomes really glitchy so you have to restart it.
I'd like it to have one of these wheels some keyboards have to control volume or something else, a second Meta key and that one could make it so when powering it up it started with no backlight.
[+] [-] EtienneK|2 years ago|reply
Not an unhealthy relationship at all!
[+] [-] frameset|2 years ago|reply
They also don't take up that much space really.
If your keyboard is a portable one you pack with you on trips, I get it. If it lives on a desk, why not splash out the small amount extra to make number entry much easier.
[+] [-] infecto|2 years ago|reply
Cannot speak to the fashion side of it but my original motivator to move to a keypad less was to reduce the distance of the mouse to my typing space. I do not do any type of data entry and rarely type numbers with enough frequency to require it.
[+] [-] pr0zac|2 years ago|reply
I truly do not mean to be insulting or anything, but I read comments like this a lot and they really confuse me. I don't need a numpad because I know how to touch type and don't have trouble putting in numbers with the number row without looking, I never used the numpad even when I had a keyboard that had one.
For why I got a board without it, ergonomics. My mouse is where the numpad would've been. Having a shorter keyboard reduces the distance between my hands at the points where I need to use a mouse to about shoulder width, keeping my arms aligned with my shoulders and greatly reduces shoulder impinging issues I was having.
[+] [-] sime2009|2 years ago|reply
* less desk real estate needed
* many of us aren't doing much number entry at all
[+] [-] lloeki|2 years ago|reply
Typing numbers on a single row is not an issue for me, so numpad brings me little benefits and significant drawbacks.
[+] [-] denkmoon|2 years ago|reply
Having a "tenkeyless" means my mouse position is aligned with my shoulder, with a full width keyboard my arm would be rotated constantly, leading to pain.
[+] [-] crazygringo|2 years ago|reply
Because it's bad ergonomics, if you're right-handed. It puts the mouse too far to the right.
And I've been using computers for decades but can't recall a single time I ever did numeric "data entry".
That just feels like a relic of when office workers were entering amounts from stacks of printed invoices by hand.
[+] [-] superhuzza|2 years ago|reply
I would consider a separate numpad so it can be moved around if needed, but that need never really comes up for me.
[+] [-] narag|2 years ago|reply
OK, I've read all the answers so far, in the hope that somebody had told you before, but no!
I don't use the numpad, so it's useless to me. But does it harm? In the case of these keyboards, not so much, except for the reason others have already explained of more distance for the mouse. I can live with it, but my next keyboard will be numpad-less for sure.
If we talk about laptops, that's a different story. Numpads for those are terrible, for me anyway.
They shift the center of the hands, that is between G and H, from the center of the laptop and thus the center of the screen, so your hands are in an unnatural position.
If you center an external wide keyboard, you get the same effect. I don't, but I try to use the GH line... "try" because the push from the mouse always tend to move it to the left.
So now you know, for some of us it's not a question of fashion, but usability :)
[+] [-] littlelady|2 years ago|reply
2. I almost never do number entry, but if I do I have a dedicated number pad.
[+] [-] themagician|2 years ago|reply
10/10 would recommend a separate numpad. Also good for macros in games or Photoshop or whatever.
[+] [-] bigbison19|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] schwartzworld|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] MayeulC|2 years ago|reply
Anyway, I'm currently using an Ergodox EZ and it's very simple: I have a numpad "layer" activated with a key. The keyboard already has the right layout, so activating this layer with the left hand lets me quickly enter a number with my right hand (from the home row).
[+] [-] bigstrat2003|2 years ago|reply
I don't really have any beef with those who want a smaller keyboard (though I don't really understand it - no way is your desk so small that saving a few inches actually makes a difference). But it is a real bummer that makers of high-end keyboards only cater to that crowd, and don't make nice keyboards that are full size. I would love to get a GMMK Pro, for example - if only it was in the form factor I want.
[+] [-] Zambyte|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zigzag312|2 years ago|reply
I use separate keypad for number entry (not this one exactly, but you get the idea): https://www.amazon.com/MOTOSPEED-Mechanical-Portable-Backlig...
[+] [-] koromak|2 years ago|reply
The only time I miss it is gaming. Flight/Space sims, Factorio, things like that really benefit from a numpad. Otherwise, I'm not typing numbers enough to care.
[+] [-] jethro_tell|2 years ago|reply
My wife on the other hand has a custom keyboard with a num pad on each side so she can num pad with a mouse in her hand.
People have different needs. And different workflows. Not sure why that's news to you.
[+] [-] falsenapkin|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Legion|2 years ago|reply
For an accountant or someone whose keyboard usage is exceedingly numbers-centric, then sure. But as a default option, it's a space eating waste.
[+] [-] elyobo|2 years ago|reply
The MS Sculpt (in the article) comes with a number pad as well, I've had it for years and left the number pad in the drawer.
[+] [-] 010101010101|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jrockway|2 years ago|reply
Personally, I just have a layer that I activate with my right thumb to turn the m,.jkluio keys into 123456789, so it's like having a number pad, but one that doesn't take up any space.
[+] [-] 1-more|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] BeFlatXIII|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] thom|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rednerrus|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] VBprogrammer|2 years ago|reply
I've used the old Mac 104 key aluminium wired keyboard for about 10 years now. I originally used it with Linux and now with MacOS at work and my home Windows PC. I've occasionally had minor difficulties with mapping but nothing insurmountable.
[+] [-] unknown|2 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] jseliger|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] someplaceguy|2 years ago|reply
After using this keyboard, I can't imagine ever buying another keyboard without a knob. It's really great to control your audio volume with an appropriate hardware control rather than pressing the same key 15 times in a row like an idiot or fiddling around with the mouse.
You can configure the knob (or any key) to do different things with different key combinations, at the hardware level even (with the Via tool), so you don't have to configure multiple OSes one-by-one to do the same thing. I've configured Alt+Knob rotation to control my screen brightness, which I adjust multiple times per day. You can also configure it to control the zoom, or move the mouse, etc.
The knob also functions as an additional key if you press it downwards. I think by default it is configured to mute (which makes sense, since by default a knob rotation without any other key combination controls the audio volume).
When you go look for keyboards with a knob you won't find many, and the Keychron keyboards (Q-series and Q Pro-series, the latter being both wired and wireless), are really the best there is AFAIK (unless you create your own, perhaps).
[+] [-] Aeolun|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pelalmqvist|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jasoneckert|2 years ago|reply
But the only keyboard I actually use for my work is a Lenovo TrackPoint II Bluetooth keyboard (best keyboard ever made IMO).
[+] [-] azemetre|2 years ago|reply
If you haven't used a split keyboard, I highly recommend it! It feels way more natural typing and less stressful on your wrists. I still use a kinesis freestyle 2 on my desktop pc, good enough for most games too. It feels alien at first but you quickly adapt. It's also not hard to go back and forth between the different types of keyboards.
[+] [-] grumblingdev|2 years ago|reply
I use the Keychron K1 Pro with Brown Gateron switches. It's an 80% (ten-key-less / TKL). I needed this one because I use the right shift key a lot and it has a full-size one whereas the 75% is shortened.
You get used to the slightly different layout very quickly. You might swap back and forth a bit but when you go to bed you will start dreaming about typing on it. You will even enjoy doing typing races just to press the keys.
Another new one just released is the NuPhy Air75V2.
It's a real addiction!
[+] [-] otikik|2 years ago|reply
https://www.keychron.com/collections/all-keyboards/products/...
[+] [-] FridgeSeal|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] oooyay|2 years ago|reply
Underrated line in the article. I have such a problem selecting keyboards because I use MacOS and Linux. I have the same problem with KVMs as the two use two different ways of outputting a screen. I exclusively use Keychrons at this point for both gaming and work.
[+] [-] nullptr_deref|2 years ago|reply
For context: https:/www.youtube.com/@BenVallack/
The channel is about pure keyboard obsession. Please share it with your family to show them that you are no where obsessed with the keyboards!
[+] [-] zvmaz|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] INTPenis|2 years ago|reply
My first job was very much a garage shop web hosting business so I just rummaged through the boxes and found an old IBM model M (not realizing its later cult status).
At another later job I just grabbed a full length apple keyboard with numpad that was laying around. During boring times at that job I placed in top 20 at typeracer with that keyboard.
Whenever I tried to be like other nerd friends and buy a cool nerdy clicketyclack keyboard I always ended up disappointed.
Now the last 15 years or so I mostly used Thinkpad keyboards and they're just fine.
[+] [-] javier_e06|2 years ago|reply
[+] [-] formvoltron|2 years ago|reply
Good that the author pointed out the inability of removing keys to clean with the Logi MX. I'd have sprung for that but dislike anything that is potentially going to become garbage.
[+] [-] namrog84|2 years ago|reply
Any other keyboard I've ever tried hurts my wrists, arm, and back, and causes me pain except the "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000". However they were discontinued years ago. :( I've been buying up used ones and learning how to disassemble and repair the ones I have the best I can, but my skills are limited.
If anyone has any (unopened) ones or knows of good replacements or how to make a new replacement (with same layout). I'd be incredibly grateful.
Most alternatives don't really have the wrist/angle support which is the #1. Then the arrow keys/home/pgup pgdn keys is next most important, and lastly the numpad and F1-F12 row keys. I don't care about special top row buttons or any of the 'special' keys on it.
Also, before people mention it, the Arisu or Feker Alice layout keyboards is nothing at all like the same wrist/angle support, it's basically just a split keyboard. :/ Most suggestions have missed the whole point of wrist/angle support being the issue.
I don't mind it being mechanical or anything so long as it's the basically the same layout/angle as the Microsoft ergo 4000. The replacement 'Microsoft ergonomic keyboard' non 4000 is 'okayish' but not as good as 4000. Other than those 2, I've never found one even remotely close to my needs. Thanks! <3
[+] [-] hilbert42|2 years ago|reply
As is my usual wont, I had a long rave about such matters but one of the points I raised that may interest those here was the lack of Bluetooth keyboards, especially the more portable types with good mechanical switches.
After posting, I thought I'd better do a updated search to see if the market had improved and I've just discovered a complete range of keyboards of which I was unaware, namely NuPhy https://nuphy.com/ (perhaps I'm a member of the mushroom club and the last to know). Anyway, it seems the market has improved significantly in the last year or so since I last looked.
There's good range of KBs with combo Bluetooth 5.0 + wireless + USB-C cable + hot-swappable keys/key types. Some reviews seem favorable but I'd be interested to hear experiences from others who've actually used them.
[+] [-] Gualdrapo|2 years ago|reply
I haven't had the need to disassemble it for cleaning so I use a small brush to remove crumbs and stuff. Sometimes I too feel that it is large, but still the numpad is convenient. The alternative would be a 'compact' design but I don't like how they cram the Enter key in a single row and make the up and down keys half of the height of a normal key.
My complain against it is its privative nature - with Linux, you can't use the screen brightness keys unless you install something like Logiops or Solaar. Alas I've found Logips a bit buggy so when you're running it the mouse wheel becomes really glitchy so you have to restart it.
I'd like it to have one of these wheels some keyboards have to control volume or something else, a second Meta key and that one could make it so when powering it up it started with no backlight.
[+] [-] moondev|2 years ago|reply
https://mkultra.click/choc-mini-low-low-profile-switches/
Alas the search continues