Been using wave, split keyboard style keyboards for maybe decades. Forget when I got my first Microslop Natural Keyboard Elite but still have three PS2 ones that are working fine. The key strokes are pretty long on those so was looking for maybe a mechanical switch board and would have spent up to $200.00 to get one that was a split design and a waive, like this one. But guess what? Couldn't find one at any price. Was going to go with the new Microslop wired ones, not a fan of baby sitting dongles and batteries, for roughly twice the price of this one, but saw some scary reviews. You don't know if they are for real or just someone with a personal problem. Then saw some good reviews for this one and for the price, was thinking it has to beat the stock Dell sub $20.00, maybe sub $10.00 even, keyboard that was given to me by my work. So actually ordered 3 of these thinking what the heck, I can send them back if they blow, and then I can keep them and happy day for me if they are OK or better. Happy Day! They are better! One review stated that they feel cheap. They weigh just about exactly the same as my MS boards are almost exactly the same size and shape. Just so I could say I did it, I torqued them from the ends. My natural 190 lb frame could likely snap it but they are just about as solid as the my old MS boards: talking about the range of a few pounds of pressure difference nothing major. That is, if all you want to to is type on them, thinking that they are plenty solid enough to last for years. When I checked all three boards, one had a slight separation between the top part and the bottom on the underside of board where you can't see it while using it on the left hand side, [the top and bottom are screwed together much like a laptop computer is] but again, very minor, maybe .005 - .010 of an inch for about 3 inches. Think maybe you could work a match book cover into it if you spent the time and tried hard. This turned out to be a result of the twist I gave them as the top and bottom parts are "keyed" and the male tab came out of its slot. A small push and it was back in place. The other two were perfect and don't see how that is going to make any difference anyway. They are well built and the key action is shorter than the old boards. It uses almost exactly the same layout as the old boards with the arrow keys being closer to the delete buttons. All this works for me. Can type faster, but for me that's maybe 80 - 90 wpm in bursts. If you want the worlds fastest keyboard, them maybe go with a mechanical switch type. For me, this is a very satisfying keyboard. The buttons on the top also work with Linux a bit so another plus if you too use multiple operating systems with the same keyboards. Ordered two more. These are great and for the price I was willing to pay for one mechanical switch board, I have 5 of these. I have been using one of these daily at work 8 hours a day for months now and no issues. Read more
Long review ahead: short version, just buy it and try it. You won't be returning it, trust me! This is not only an absolutely fantastic SPLIT style keyboard, but also one of the best in terms of key/tactile feel I've ever owned. I've tried all the usual mechanical keyboards, blue & brown switches (way overrated IMO) along with the legendary buckling spring switches. Yes, this is a rubber dome keyboard, BUT, it feels to me anyhow like a quiet and lighter touch buckling spring keyboard (think IBM Model M) without all the racket a buckling spring or cherry blue switch (or even brown) keyboard can make. It has a nice tactile snap to the keys and sounds similar to a Topre keyboard (youtube it) and has a nice muffled "thock" type sound, no clacky-ness at all. Even the larger stabilized keys are mostly quiet, and the one or two that aren't can be made quiet by adding a little white grease lube (search amzn for elite keyboards grease) to the metal stabilizer underneath the key after carefully removing it with a keycap puller or very carefully prying off. This keyboard has a little shorter key travel distance than a full key height keyboard; about 80%, but is just enough shorter that it is actually a better travel distance IMO and allows for a very quick and light touch to the keys, but still gives that satisfying "press" you get on a full travel keyboard. As noted above, the key feel is light, but not too light and has a nice tactile snap (think buckling spring) that you will not get with the overrated mx brown style switch. The split of the board is perfect and puts your hands, arms and shoulders in a very natural position for typing, and also has a full size wrist rest to place the palms of your hands when not actively typing. One thing some folks may complain about is the arrow/home key cluster; do not let that deter you from trying this board. I actually prefer this layout as it allows your trackball (or mouse) to come in closer to your hands than if they used the standard ibm layout. Once you get used to the more condensed layout of the arrow keys and home/end/delete cluster, you'll realize it is very very logically laid out and actually makes more sense. So IMO I believe it's truly a better layout than the older IBM format. Your mileage may vary. I've been using split keyboards since the original MS one came out in the late 90's and this Perixx split keyboard is very similar to the old MS elite version, but much better. The key feel and overall construction along with a split spacebar make THIS keyboard the best split keyboard you can buy, not to mention it's an incredible value also. I pair this board with a Logitech M570 trackball and it's a match made in heaven. My hands and wrists never experience pain and typing on this board is so comfortable and the muted/quiet, light snappy tactile feedback is incredible. I have never enjoyed a keyboard more than this one. It hits ALL the checkboxes. I'd happily pay 2-3 times what they charge for it also. And have for other boards that couldn't hold a candle to this one. Note: I was NOT paid or compensated in any way to write this review, and I normally don't write reviews unless I really like something. I LOVE this keyboard :-) and you will too. If you are new to split keyboards, use this one solely for a week and you will not go back to a non-split board ever again, and when/if you have to use a "normal" keyboard you'll wonder how you ever did. Ping me in the questions section, happy to share my experience or answer any questions you may have. Happy typing! Read more
Solid keyboard. Looks and feels like a standard office keyboard which is sort of what I was expecting/wanted. Its fairly loud so if you're worried about that in an office setting... might be a good idea to look at some other options. The ONLY reason I took a star of is because I really do not like the layout of the 4 directional keys. Its really bugging me. But.. to be fair... probably should've taken a closer look at the layout before purchasing. Still solid. I do wish the curvature was a little bit more angled as well. Read more
