Hi all, I’m looking for something similar to my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 to replace it that’s mechanical. I’m looking for something with about the same number of Macros, about the same layout, and doesn’t have a weird Delete key layout like the Logitech Wave.
Does one exist? Thank you in advance!
I started out on a similar place and started with the truly ergonomic keyboard. It’s gotten a little weirder layout then what it was went I bought it more then ten years ago.
I will say I’ve owned two of these boards, the first version used Cherry browns and still works great, the second one I got for work used something else besides cherry and was missing keystrokes in under a year. I believe they are using completely different keys now.
At the budget end, Perrix makes the Periboard 535 which is certainly superficially similar. The Perrix is limited as a customizable mech, but if it is what your wrists and hands need, it may be good. I’m not sure if the choc switches are hot-swap, and good luck finding aftermarket keycaps, but you can at least choose from clicky, linear, or tactile.
If you want to drift away from a Microsoft style, several companies make “Alice” mechanical keyboards which are split and slightly tented, and allow more enthusiast options, but you’d have to get an external numpad if you need one.
Dygma is probably a good place to look. They’re slightly “weirder” than your microsoft board, but still fairly close to a traditional layout. They’re also a bit smaller, but configurability of the keymap completely compensates for that imho. But being actually split, with some extra thumb keys, is a good step up in ergonomics from the microsoft I think.
I really like the Kinesis Freestyle Pro (I got the gaming one with RGB lights) with the extra tents to give the same slope from the Natural 4000
