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0 pointstjoff6y ago0 comments

I don't think it can be argued that they aren't more ergonomic than a regular keyboard. If you manage to create an uncomfortable position with a split keyboard you have the luxury to adapt... And I haven't seen people claiming that it is the holy grail, just that it is better.

Many otholinear keyboard are in a grid, yes. I guess mostly because it is easy, aesthetics and it fits everyone as good/bad. Many keyboards have their rows at different height to adapt to the different length of each finger. But how much? Depends on hand size and preference it is hard to imagine one being mass produced.

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nextos6y ago

I don't have huge hand issues due to ergonomics, but I have experienced some.

I have tried most of what is out there: Kinesis Advantage, Maltron, Kinesis Freestyle, Matias Ergo Pro, Microsoft Sculpt, several Vortex...

Paradoxically, my best experience is with an Apple Magic Keyboard 2 (and I use Linux). I think that's because it's tiny, so I can move my hands and use mostly index and thumb fingers. Plus, actuation force is so light. Yet depth is acceptable. This is not a butterfly switch. A great side effect is tiny latency [1].

I also enjoy using the Magic Trackpad, which now works quite well in Linux. Scrolling using a finger gesture is very ergonomic compared to mouse wheels or even trackballs. At least for me. It promotes position variability.

Of course, these Magic Keyboard scissor switches are much more fragile than any mechanical one. In 4 or 5 years of intense use keys start falling apart. That's my experience with an equivalent keyboard in a MacBook Air. So, shortly, I will try to assemble a split keyboard with more shallow mechanical switches, inspired by the Magic Keyboard experience.

[1] https://danluu.com/keyboard-latency/

the_pwner2246y ago

Please post on HN when you get that project done, I'd love to see what you come up with!

I'm in a somewhat similar situation, where I have a split keyboard with blues. It's pretty good, but the combined height of PCB + plate on top + standoffs and plate below PCB (the 'case' is just two plates above/below the PCB) + switches + keycaps is quite tall. I'm also going to try to make a slim keyboard in the near future.

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