Any recommendations for a prebuilt split unibody keyboard?

4 months ago by SatyrSack to c/ergomechkeyboards

I want to buy a new keyboard. My use case for this particular keyboard will be as what you might consider a tertiary keyboard. I do not need a new primary keyboard that I spend most of my time with on my main computer. I also do not need a new secondary keyboard to keep at my other workstation that I interact with often when not using my primary workstation. What I need is a keyboard that will be my go-to for miscellaneous tasks. When I need to plug into some server temporarily, I want to use this keyboard. When I need to set up a new computer that will later be used by another user with a "normal" keyboard, I want to use this keyboard. Currently, I use a basic office keyboard for this task. I can move it from computer to computer, and it works reliably for these occasional miscellaneous tasks. But after having switched to using split ergo as my primary/secondary keyboards, using this traditional keyboard even occasionally does feel off. If I can, I would like a split ergo that can fill this use case.

This means I want a few specifications that are not common for split ergonomic keyboards:

  • Unibody. I will often not be using this keyboard at a desk or other optimal position. As such, having two halves to the keyboard can be cumbersome. I might be just resting the keyboard on my knee or something for a few minutes while I type on it. For this purpose, it would be simpler to have a keyboard that is just one single unit with one single cable.
  • 100%. Most split ergos have just a few dozen keys. This makes sense for a keyboard that I am going to use often and can memorize the layout and all the various layers. But this is a keyboard that I plan to only use occasionally. As such, I want to be able to look at the keys to hunt/peck if I need. I do not want to have to remember what sequence of keys is used to press Alt+F4. I want to look at the keyboard, find the key that is labelled Alt, find the key that is labelled F4, and press those two keys.

There are also a few other relevant specs that it seems are very common, but I wanted to mention them anyway:

  • USB C. Preferably, a detachable USB C cable. I do not mind if the keyboard also has Bluetooth/2.4GHz. That will not be a problem if it has the feature, I will just almost certainly never use it. With that said, not needing a battery generally has a list of pros (smaller, lighter, cheaper, etc.).
  • Ortholinear. The big thing that I am trying to get away from here with my current keyboard is its staggered key layout.
  • Swappable caps. I want to be able to have this keyboard clearly labelled in Colemak layout.
  • VIA compatible. At the very least, I should be able to reprogram keys somehow. QMK, ZMK, whatever.

Can you think of any suggestions of a good keyboard that fits these requirements? I came across a few that seem like they might fit:

Kinesis Advantage2

$399

https://kinesis-ergo.com/...

Truly Ergonomic CLEAVE

$299

https://trulyergonomic.com/...

Hazel Cut Slope

https://shop.hazel.cc/products/cut-slope

ErgoHaven Planeta

https://ergohaven.xyz/...

Fetus 4 points 4 months ago

Keychron Q13 Alice Max, though it isn't ortho. It's also reasonably heavy, so might not be the most practical to lug around depending on how far you are moving from one system to the next.

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rollerbang 1 point 4 months ago

I'm on Naya and I like it. Haven't tried any others.

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luckybipedal 1 point 4 months ago

X-Bows might have something that works for you including F-keys without being too clunky.

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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