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0 pointsseltzered_3y ago0 comments

I run a subreddit on mobile ergonomics ( http://reddit.com/r/ergomobilecomputers/ ) and spent the past year using raised tablet PC as my only machine, and curating the smaller subset of portable keyboard & computer setups. My advice:

- drop the rotary encoder, it messes up the height for packing the keyboard away.

- a 75% layout (i.e. having fn keys) is okay, but makes it a bit challenging to fit in with a 13" tablet footprint with a magic Trackpad.

- What ergonomic job does this design serve? After a year of using a similar keyboard (Nuphy F1) I find myself seeking ergonomic improvement from a split keyboard or angling (like the Atreus) without becoming too odd of a layout.

- If you're doing a custom design, can you use smaller keys somehow to facilitate room for ergonomics (angled split) while retaining a minimal design? See https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMobileComputers/comments/v0g89d... for some inspiration .

- I like the simple black look! Similar to you I just want a fairly simple look, but focus more on ergonomics.

0 comments

MetaWhirledPeas3y ago

> drop the rotary encoder, it messes up the height for packing the keyboard away

If that's really a concern the correct approach would be to make the knob low-profile.

> What ergonomic job does this design serve?

This does not claim to be an "ergonomic" keyboard.

dsmmcken3y ago

> messes up the height for packing the keyboard away

You design things for how they are used. If it is a keyboard meant to live out it's life on desk, then why design for how it is packed away? Perhaps if it was advertised as a portable travel keyboard then designing for storage would make sense.

anamexis3y ago

Well, it is advertised as "ultra-low profile."

devmor3y ago

I think you are misunderstanding their use of the word ergonomic. They're using it in the literal sense, not the colloquial sense of gimmicky layout keyboards. All keyboards should be ergonomic in the literal sense.

ebiester3y ago

You say gimmicky, I say life-changing. Now, some of them are certainly gimmicks, but split keyboards make it so much more comfortable to type that for trips of more than a day or two where I think I might have to type, I have brought my keyboard with me. (And I'd love a low profile travel version of the Kenesis Freestyle Edge, for those keyboard types who are looking for differentiating features.)

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seltzered_OP3y ago

> This does not claim to be an "ergonomic" keyboard.

I'm arguing the market already has a number of minimalist standard layout keyboards (the Nuphy lineup, even major brands like Logitech). Making something ergonomic and portable would be an interesting differentiator. The Atreus ( https://shop.keyboard.io/products/keyboardio-atreus ) is a nice example but gets a bit too minimal whatwith not having a number row.

soheil3y ago

> drop the rotary encoder, it messes up the height for packing the keyboard away.

No please don't. I'm so glad this person designed this keyboard during the lock down presumably alone in a basement somewhere and not by a design committee.

banana_giraffe3y ago

For the rotary encoder, personally I'd prefer a low profile knob ( like https://shop.dailycraft.jp/en/products/encoder_lowprofile_kn... ), I find them more satisfyingly to use, and they don't get in the way of being thrown in a bag.

I wonder if it'd be possible to offer different key caps to allow for user preference for this and font choices.

ticklemyelmo3y ago

A roller-style rotary encoder would work better. And perhaps be a better ergnonomic fit for what I assume is its primary use case, scrolling.

ThrowawayR23y ago

Having had a fair bit of difficulty keeping my mouse wheel clean, roller style controls would probably similarly accumulate crud. I'd rather have the knob.

Rebelgecko3y ago

I use the one on my Das Keyboard as a volume knob, it's pretty handy

bombcar3y ago

Rotary encoder is a cool idea but something thinner with a “key” would be better perhaps.

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