Lee Kindle
- Comment
Long review ahead: short version, just buy it and try it. You wont 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 Ive ever owned. Ive 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 arent 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, youll realize it is very very logically laid out and actually makes more sense. So IMO I believe its truly a better layout than the older IBM format. Your mileage may vary. Ive been using split keyboards since the original MS one came out in the late 90s and this Perixx split keyboard is very similar to the old MS elite version, but much better. They key feel and overall construction along with a split spacebar make THIS keyboard the best split keyboard you can buy, not to mention its an incredible value also. I pair this board with a Logitech M570 trackball and its 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. Id happily pay 2-3 times what they charge for it also. And have for other boards that couldnt hold a candle to this one. Note: I was NOT paid or compensated in any way to write this review, and I normally dont 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 youll 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!