Split keyboards#

I have been eyeing split keyboards for a while and finally decided to get one. My main two reasons were:

  • more comfortable typing
  • get better at typing

I can already confirm that both things turned out to be true. The position of the two sides just allows me to perfectly rest my hands. The angle is just perfect and I can adjust it easily in case I move around. I do have a standing table and noticed that I need the angles slightly different to when I sit. I also noticed that my hands almost automatically land in the right spots.

It was awkward at first to type at all on this keyboard. I noticed how often I tried to reach across to get to a certain key. I have to admit that it was very frustrating in the beginning and I still occasionally try to reach for a key that is on the other half of the keyboard. I do notice however that some keys come more naturally. The number keys for instance. I used to look at my keyboard for those. That seems to happen less and less.

The Freestyle 2#

To answer the question right away, can I recommend it. I am not disappointed but I wouldn’t buy it again. It is underwhelming.

I write a lot on the console, mainly vim. The ESC key is rather far away. It’s big, so rather easy to hit, but it still means I have to reach for it. The second one is the Page Break/Insert key. I use Insert far more often and pretty much never the Page Break. However, Page Break is the primary key and I have to do the Fn to get it. I did remap it in my OS, but unfortunately I can’t do that directly on the keyboard.

Oh yes, the Fn key is also rather far away. There is just a bit too much reaching that needs to be done with is kinda counter productive. For now, it is fine and I will use it for a good while.

I hope that keyboards like this become more popular, especially the part where you can reprogram them.