I bought an Ergodox EZ a few years ago. While I enjoyed it at first, I realized that I was avoiding certain workflows because it lacked arrow and function keys, forcing you to rely on different layers.
I like split keyboards, and I also like thumb clusters, but I’d really prefer something with dedicated arrow and function keys.
Yes. I have one, and I love it. It’s a Periboard-535DL.
Microsoft’s Sculpt was a staple that fit this bill until they stopped producing them a few years back, but another company is now producing it (I think the OG manufacturer for Microsoft). I bought one recently to replace an aging Microsoft board and it looks, feels, and functions exactly the same. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5YNL62D…
As absolutely shitty as Microsoft is, they can do some hardware well.
I tried that keyboard for several months. I hated the action and the low profile keys. Also wireless as the only connectivity option is stupid for many things, but especially for a keyboard. It’s not terrible, but it’s just not great.
Can I ask what’s wrong with having the arrow keys in a different layer on esdf and/or ijkl?
Kinesis freestyle has f1-f12. But no fancy firmware with layers and stuff.
It also has a Fn key that gives you an extra “layer”, or half of one, I believe.
I think Kinesis also offers a higher-end model that has some programmable features, but I went with the regular Freestyle.
I have the freestyle edge rgb one, with a separate section on the left with programmable keys. Also, programmable lights and colors and animations, and also macro functions and stuff.
The layout has a few flaws, and the actual ergonomics are inferior to my old Microsoft ergo keyboard from the 90s, even with the lift kit… But, mechanical keys and fully split, with wrist rests and macros and strobing gay lights!
I have a backup Microsoft ergo I saw for ten bucks at a thrift store years ago, just in case, though, still new and sealed. Membrane keyboards are not all built the same, good ones have smooth action. Dell keyboards have gummy shitty action and the keys themselves are terrible.
Someday I’ll have a 3d printer so I can just make my own designs and it’ll be awesome.
I have a mac one for work. But I also use it for my pc. Where the heck is the printscreen button. I probably need the higher end one I guess.
Believe it or not, MSFT made one of those back in the 90s. Terrible keys, but it may be what you wanted.
Edit: they apparently still do: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/surface-ergonomic-keyboard/90pnc9ljwpx9?activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab
I owned one of those back in 2009. I liked it, though I can’t go back to rubber dome keys.
Agreed
Since you’re talking Ergodox, do you still want column-staggered? For row staggered you probably need the Dygma Raise if you want a thumb cluster.
This might also be useful: https://yal-tools.github.io/ergo-keyboards/
I dunno if you’d consider it ergonomic but I use a Mistel MD770 and it meets your requirements. It’s essentially like a Keychron K2 cut in half.
every one i’ve ever seen has both those things
