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Ask HN: Recommandation for an Ergonomic Keyboard?
Hi everyone,

My current "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic" Keyboard is starting to show its age and I'm looking to replace it.

Unfortunately, it seems that Microsoft and Logitech are not greatly looking to invest in the "ergonomic" area and I'm left wondering where to look for a *quality* keyboard that can live for years.

For my criteria (not much) I'm looking for a wavy and splitted in the middle keyboard (like the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard), or eventually two pieces of half keyboard, as long as they are wavy (I find it more easier on the wrist).

Ideally wired. I don't understand the purpose of having a wireless keyboard when used at a desk, except to have to plug it from time to time to charge its battery...

What would you recommend?

Thanks!

I recommend calm and caution :)

You will quickly end up researching mechanical split keyboard market and start convincing yourself that 500-1000€ is not that expensive (sic!).

I made an adventure into mechanicals, around half a year on research and getting used to it. Configurability is amazing. Quality great. Noise was not a problem.

Ended up going back to some flat (laptop-like) dell keyboard and a vertical mouse instead. Because my hands started to stiffen up, hurt, the typical stuff. Keyboards were too high (with normal keys) and too expensive+weird (with low profile keys). I tried adding dedicated palm rests, changing habits a bit, changing bindings...

In the end I'm considering buying MS' Sculpt ergonomic keyboard again (it's the one that's actually split, low profile, with optional negative tilt. I think it's only sold with a mouse). It has a lot of flaws, but fatigue was not one of them.

What I'm trying to say: you may spend a lot of time, effort and money and still feel miserable. There are amazing builds out there, but don't forget non mechanical options exist.

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RSI is a combination of "repetitive" and "strain". My take on it is that ergonomic keyboards that limit the amount of finger movement make your typing more repetitive - hence you need to be sure as hell that there is as little strain as possible.

I also went with a minimal split keyboard and quickly started to feel pain. When I however looked at my desk/chair/screen, I found that they don't promote the correct posture. Once these were corrected, I got no pain at all.

I think the right lesson is that this is a journey, rather than a problem you can throw some money at once and have it solved.

You described it well.

You can spend insane money on hardware and still sit incorrectly.

Funny you mention that, I was comparing Moonlander (https://www.zsa.io/moonlander), Glove80 (https://www.moergo.com/) and Cyboard (https://cyboard.digital/) ...

Thanks for the advice!

Moonlander ... I think I still have a printer template to check if it fits my desk layout well...

Hacking keyboard I like the most, but it's still a gamble and add-ons almost double my cost. Too much for companies that don't have any distributor locally...

Yeah I agree, the cost quickly rise!
I've already spent quite some time looking up keyboards.

I think I've narrowed down to the following:

- Glove80

- Microsoft Ergonomic Desktop

- Perixx : PERIDUO-505

- Mobility Lab : Clavier Sans Fil Ergo K30W

- Kinesis MWave (It's QWERTY and I need an AZERTY but I believe I can move the keys around).

The Perixx I have is the periduo 505. I find the chick-let style keys annoying. I am often hitting the wrong keys. As opposed to before hitting the wrong keys occasionally. Easy to be off a whole row or left and right.
Ahah, thank you for this remark! It's better to know this in advance :)
I kind of like the Perixx Periboard-512B. With real grown up keys.
I'm not a big fan of the navigation keys layout in this one personnally.
I believe there are only 2 excellent options. The Kinesis Advantage (360) or the Glove 80. Both are very expensive.

Still a bit more expensive, but most similar with your MS Natural Keyboard, is the Kinesis mWave.

I bought one of the keyboard from https://ergodox-ez.com/ and I hate it.

I stopped using it as I could not get used to it.

I use a wired MS split ergonomic keyboard for daily work and seem happy with it. I use a simple logitech trackball as a pointing device.

I don't have any issues with this keyboard ..

Mine died a few years ago. I replaced it with one from 'perixx' but I kind of hate it. Not enough to get something else, because I have not found a better answer. I am excited to see if someone has a solution for you.
For now, I'm highly hesitant to take a Glove80 with an extra keypad for the numbers, but I still hesitate with one of the original (Microsoft ergonomic desktop, Mobility lab ergo k30W or Logitech K860 ergo, even though most are wireless)