Yes, even Kinesis is getting the fever, by announcing Kickstarter for Freestyle Edge

Yeah, even one of the more known ergonomic keyboard brands is now jumping to the gaming keyboard bandwagon.  But, can yo blame them tho?  Anyway, Kinesis is doing a Kickstarter project to transform one of their previous split keyboard design, the Freestyle2 to a more gaming market friendly device, Frestyle Edge.  Yup, this is the manufacturer for the Advantage2 ergonomic keyboard line and a host of other ergo-friendly devices.  The Freestyle2 is a split keyboard design with tenting accessories.

So, one can easily guess the various features, such as featuring Cherry MX types switches, per-key LED lighting, macro keys and various other gaming friendly perks check boxes are dutifully fulfilled.  So, I won't dwell too much on the features themselves.  However, I would like to say that I like this move because Kinesis is taking more of the ergo designs and now trying to popularize it.  Yes, Matias has offered a similar design with the beloved Matis switch, but it is aimed at typists, programmers and the like.  This time around, Kinesis is taking a well liked ergonomic keyboard design and combine it with some often sought-after gaming friendly features.  I cannot say that's a bad thing.

To cut down the risk Kinesis is taking, the company is utilizing Kickstarter to fund the effort.  I can see that it's already past its goal.  So, let's see if Kinesis can deliver on its promises.  Like Metadot, they are branching out to experiment with newer designs and moving the ball forward.  That's a wonderful thing.

Microsoft announces Surface Ergonomic Keyboard

I have tested the sculpted ergonomic keyboard just a while ago.  I found the keyboard rather pleasant and worthy successor to the illustrious line of natural ergonomic keyboards.  However, the intermittent wireless connection issue pretty much ruined it for me.  Ah, the Microsoft designed ergonomic keyboards are like old flames that never really dies out, even though I have not been using one of them for a while.  So, when there's news about a successor, I can't wait to find out more.

Like most tech companies, Microsoft likely did see something good and something bad in its products.  Later on, the firm will put out a new iteration to fix issues found and hopefully not introduce new ones.  So, this week, Microsoft announced a new iteration of the their famed ergonomic keyboard, the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard.  Upon first glance, one can easily see the Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard design DNA.  However, instead of the bat wing like design, the two keyboard halves are now fused as a single piece.  Speaking of fusion, the numeric pad is also fused making this pretty much as standard ANSI 104 keyboard.  That's a good thing.  Microsoft also introduced a minimalist type Surface Keyboard that may appeal to other folks.  My love affair has always been with ergonomic keyboard designs, however.  Another key change is the wireless protocol is now Bluetooth 4.0 rather than something funky Microsoft cooked up in the lab.  I am hoping that this will help with the wireless connection issues that I had.  There are also other changes such as a new palm rest material, color changes and minor touches.  I am assuming that this will have a scissor switch design like its predecessor.  I don't believe there will be significant changes to how it types,  Oh, one more thing, the magnetic tilt bar is nowhere to be found.  So, fans for the forward keyboard tilt will have to come up with some home-brewed hacks.

The elephant in the room is price.  Microsoft has increased the price quite a bit to $130.  That number definitely puts it within shouting distance of a Topre Type Heaven on a Black Friday special and many other high end Cherry MX mechanical keyboards.  Microsoft probably figured that the Surface brand represent a significant premium quality difference and superior experience.  There's only one way to find out if this keyboard warrant such distinction.  :)

Microsoft Sculpted Natural keyboard Impression, part 3

The Sculpted Natural Keyboard is the spiritual successor of the popular ergonomic Natural Keyboard line.  Microsoft has scored a homerun when the first iteration was introduced back in 90s.  Now, after so many revisions, different interfaces, layout experiment, we are now here at this juncture.  Even though this is not a mechanical keyboard, I am a fan of the Natural Keyboard family line, I can’t stay away and not trying it out.

Love them or hate them, this keyboard sports the ever present Chiclet style key caps with a scissor switch mechanism.  Therefore, one can easily guess its personality just by knowing this bit of data.  However, the wrinkle in this game is that Microsoft has reshaped the keyboard plane in the image Natural Keyboard.  It features the split hands partition, the tenting, the curvature and a built-in palm rest.  It really is a new interpretation of the Natural Keyboard line and no one will question its heritage.  As a nod to the TKL (ten keyless) design, the number pad is now a separate entity.  One could easily mistaken the pad as a calculator, however.  Therefore the user can now center the keyboard without having to worry about being off center.  Oh, one more thing, did I mention that this is an all wireless setup?  Microsoft has emulated Logitech’s clever nano-receiver design and incorporated it into the product.

Upon first impression and after using it for a while, this is still a chiclet keyboard, albeit a quality one.  So, I think if someone likes Chiclet style keyboards, one should seriously consider this one especially if he or she is looking for an ergonomic type.  Anyway, I want to like the keyboard, but I am getting some wireless transmission type issue when I am using the keyboard in a desktop environment, but no so in a laptop setup.  So, I will investigate further and will keep you posted.

Not easy to find a left-handed or ambidextrous mouse

I am right handed, but I regularly use mouse on my left hand to avoid RSI and to reduce strain on my right hand.  As it were, I am also in the market for a left-handed or ambidextrous mouse due to desk arrangement at work.  No problem right?

It's not easy I must say.  As mentioned MS or Logitech whiffed this round.  Most of the ergonomically designed mice are right handed.  Yes, there are some specialty mice that are made left-handed, but they are more expansive than a regular right handed mouse or an ambidextrous mouse.  Far more.  My left-handed work mouse has some very simple requirements, a basic 2 buttons mouse with scroll wheel and has the thumb buttons for web navigation such as backward and forward.  Simple enough right?  Wrong again.  Most ambidextrous mouse do not have the extra thumb buttons.  If they do, they are most likely for right handed use.  So, if I get those, I have to use my pinky finger to activate the buttons.  My left pinky is not exactly well positioned for such task.  Not yet at least.... If I am that desperate, I am always break out my trusty Logitech M705.   Guess what tho...  Some higher end gaming mice do.  OK, I guess I am off to see the wizard then.  This is definitely a path I did not expect to take....

Go-to brands for peripherals such as keyboard and mouse

For a long time, my go-to brands for peripherals such as mouse or keyboard have been Microsoft Hardware and Logitech.  I have been using a MS brand mouse for so long, I still remember the soap-bar mouse.  The introduction of the optical mouse was just sensational.  The first Natural Keyboard was just another icing on the cake.  Logitech is another company that I had a long history with since high school.  I always loved their sometimes off beat and somewhat radical designs.  My keyboard and mice/trackball combinations have almost always been one of theirs for decades.  So, it's no surprise that when I first looking to replace my old Natural Ergo 4K or now my Trackball Explorer, I looked at what MS or Logitech had first.  However, I have heard mechanical keyboards calling me this time and I began to explore other options.  I don't mind taking a look at other vendors, hence I have been testing and trying out various kinds of mechanical keyboards.  Looks like I will do the same with mouse this round.  My first priority is to find a good left-handed or ambidextrous mouse for my work machine.  I will likely limp along with the Trackball Explorer until it finally gives up functioning or until I cannot stand the random scrolling anymore, which ever is sooner....  Then, I will be looking for a right handed ergonomic mouse.

So, left-handed mouse....  The current crop of Logitech and MS mice are fine.  I was tempted again by MS' sculpted ergonomic mouse since its keyboard counterpart is rather impressive.  But, I am looking for a left-handed mouse right now.  Doh!  Again, same deal with Logitech.  I would love to try out the MX Master or its predecessor.  However, again, left-handed mouse.  I will make a note of it when I look for a right handed mouse, but not yet.  So, now the possibility are endless.  Let's try amazon.com and put in left-handed mouse and see what I get.  Here we go.....

Typing on clouds....

Need to type some more on the Topre Realforce keyboard.  Man, is it different, especially with the ergonomically weight keys.  It feels almost strange, like typing in a breeze.  The key actions are lighter than the Cherry MX brown.  This is a quiet keyboard.  So, unless I am on purpose banging in it, it’s just a little clacks.  There is almost no tactile bump that I can sense.  It’s almost like typing on a rubber dome, but not quite either.  It’s like a hybrid between the MX brown and the regular rubber dome based keyboard.  The return action is rather spring like, fairly quick compared to a regular rubber dome.  Can’t exactly put my finger on it, but it’s relaxing to type on this keyboard.  The keys do clack when bottoming out, but has a lower, more baritone like note when compared to the Das Keyboard with MX switches.  It sounds more akin to a bubbling spring rather than a stony brook when typing something at a normal rate.  The keys simply don't wobble or jitter at all during a down stroke.

At first, I wasn't sure if I will like this kind of switch, but it is rapidly growing on me.  If I need to unwind, I might just sit and type something.  Indeed a very Zen like approach to typing experience.  No wonder there are a lot of passionate fans.  Opinion about this keyboard is divisive.  I am sure some will abhor it because it's feels close to a mainstream OEM rubber dome keyboard and is not worth the price tag while others look at it as an experience like no other.  Is it a bit like typing on my old MS Natural Ergo 4K?  Yes, it does remind me of it, but at the same time, it's more pleasant, more peaceful somehow.  I am slowly becoming more appreciative of its qualities while typing on this keyboard.  Man, if it wasn't so expansive, I would recommend anyone to try it as an alternative to the popular Cherry MX switches.  Is it worth its asking price compare to the market alternatives?  That's the debate I suppose.

MS Sculpted Ergonomic keyboard impression, part 2

After spending some quality time with this keyboard.  I must say that it does fit a like using a pair of old gloves.  It's very comfortable to use and somewhat feels like using my old MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 because of the split ergo design.  I must say that I thought this doesn't have any tactile action.  However, upon closer examination, as with any scissor based switches, the tactile action is really up at the front because of the short travel distance it can afford.  Therefore, it's almost like all or nothing.  Again, this observation is confirmed when looking at the force-distance curve.  Everything is just compress together.  So, everything feels faster and more steep compared to a rubber dome or a mechanical switch.

A traditional typist like me will bottom out with a scissor switches based keyboard almost all the time.  Well, I bottom out with a Cherry MX switches most of the time.  When I bottom out while typing on the sculpted ergo keyboard, there's very little sound and shock produced.  I wonder if some sound dampening engineering are present.  Without opening it it up, I can only speculate I suppose.  All in all, this is like typing on a really high quality laptop keyboard as it should be.  This is one of the best scissor switches based keyboard I have used so far.  Maybe I will find and borrow a nice Thinkpad or a Macbook and try their keyboards out and see.  It's pretty tough to best this one out right I think.

Microsoft Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard first impression

I guess I just can't say no to another Microsoft keyboard design.  I have been using their ergonomic keyboard since the first Natural Ergonomic Keyboard way back then.  So, as I go through the keyboard tryouts, I will take another look at one of their newest ergonomic design and give it a fair shake.  Right now, I am a mechanical keyboard convert.  So, I think this revisit will give me a fresh look form a different perspective now.

MS has made some substantial change to its split sculpted ergonomic design.  The key switch has switched from rubber dome over to scissor type, no pun intended.  Therefore, this split ergo design is more closely related to a laptop Chiclets type keyboard or Apple's Mac keyboards than its ancestors.  Anyway, the scissor switches are fairly pleasant to use.  The travel distance is shorter than a traditional keyboard, but seems a little deeper than a laptop ones.  The key action is crisp, smooth and responsive.  It's not really tactile since it's a scissor switch, but it's very quiet.  More quiet than most keyboard I have heard in person.  The keycaps are large, but not totally flat, the corners are slight raised to reduce slippage.  The legends are printed with coating on top.  I must say that the keyboard is very pleasant to use.  If I have not encountered the mechanical keyboards, this one will be the replacement.  However, I still do miss the longer keystroke distance and the subtle tactile feel a mechanical keyboard offers.  So, I will stick with Das Keyboard for now.  However, I would recommend this board to anyone who likes scissor switch based keyboard.  I am tempted to get one for my laptop's docking station.....  Let me think about this one.

Chance encounter with a Logitech K350

Someone in the family had recently gotten a Logitech K350 wireless keyboard.  It is part of a bundle that included the M510 wireless mouse call MK550.  Although Logitech sells the mouse separately, the K350 doesn't appear to be listed as one of the keyboards on their website.  I am pretty sure that one can easily find one at other retailers tho.

Anyway, why did the keyboard look so familiar?  I suddenly realized why.  I had a similar setup a while back when it was called Cordless Desktop Wave.  I have lost the mini-receiver and thus the setup had been banished to a closet in hope that I will find the receiver somehow.  The MK550 is the updated version that uses Logitech's vaulted Unifying Receiver, which I like a lot.  I remember the wireless function didn't work well for me because they were used on a HTPC setup.  The keyboard and mouse were too far from the mini-receiver and I never bother with them after the HTPC was decommissioned.  Somehow the min-receiver disappeared and I am left with two peripherals that I can't use or give them away to a nicer home and people who will appreciate them more.

Let's just say that I wasn't a fan of the wave design coming from a standard or a split ergonomic design keyboard.  I found that I keep bumping into the taller keys in the height of the wave, which is where the index fingers are.  The low points of the wave are where the ring fingers are.  The keyboard layout is a bow curve shape where the bend is made toward the space bar to mimic a split blocks design, instead of actually splitting two blocks like the old ergonomic MS design.  I think one of MS' newer keyboard design also shares a similar shape.  This must be a popular design since it's still in production.  So, I think this just me being me again.....

The key action on the old wave board was not great if I recall.  However, the K350 felt much better.  Kudos to Logitech for improving the key actions.  It's smoother and cleaner than the harsh and unforgiving key action of the old cordless wave keyboard.  Yup, just got the old one out and boy I did not miss it.....  Then again, maybe the rubber has deteriorated somehwat after being stored for so long.  Therefore, it feels a lot worse than it was.  Anyway, at this point, maybe it's a good thing that I lost the mini-receiver because I don't want to inflict the pain on someone else.  Back to the closet you go.

Thinking about the scissor switches based keyboard

Most scissor switch based keyboard are laptop ones, but one can begin to see its presence in the desktop keyboards.  This type of switch is made famous by Lenovo and Apple's keyboard since the introduction of the aluminium case Macbook Pro and iMac lines.  Recently Apple improved the design as a butterfly switch, but the concept is the same.  The activation mechanism is still rubber dome, but with a new support structure to slow down the dome collapse during activation.

Previously, I mentioned that Microsoft has put out another split ergonomic keyboard.  Yes, it's a scissor switched based, which I am not surprised, as they are what's in popular these days.  Tech Report has something positive to say about it as well.  So, I figure I will give it a try and see what happens.  I didn't miss the split keyboard design as much I thought either.  Then again, I usually go back to the regular setup just about every day.  So, I have gotten used to the change.  Well, let's give it another whirl for old time sake.  :)

Wrist rest pad differences

I finally purchased another keyboard wrist rest pad.  Since I already have a Fellowes one, I figure I will get another one for work.  The local office supply store didn't have a 3M or a Fellowes gel wrist rest.  So, I took a chance a got a generic (might be house brand) memory foam wrist rest pad.  The pad is obviously thinner both in thickness and in the width.

Surprisingly with these small changes to save a few pennies on material cost, the feel is drastically different from my trusty old Fellowes wrist rest.  I have no issue with the memory foam change.  However, the changes in dimensions made a huge difference.  Yes, I will admit that cheaping out was a mistake.  The generic pad is less than useless to me.  It not only not serve its intended function, it irritates me.  I have tried various ways to accommodate the wrist pad.  The only thing it makes me do is getting mad.  Lesson learned.  Time to pony up for a well made wrist rest pad.  I feel like I just flushed $10 down the toilet. Besides, it smells plastic-icky.  Blah!

Microsoft is not standing still either with regard to keyboard designs

Well, I must say that I like mechanical keyboards more than I thought I would compared to the rubber dome type.  However, the world of technology doesn't really stand still.  So, I figure that I should check out what Microsoft has been cooking up lately since I last checked.

Ah...  So, they have taken the Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard and changed it up a little bit as the new Sculpted Ergonomic Desktop.  There is another one, the Sculpted Comfort Desktop that looks like had some non-traditional design as well.  I think one can get the mouse and the keyboard separately.  I might examine the comfort one more closely later on.  I am mainly interested in the split ergo keyboard at the moment.  Looks like they are going for the ten-keyless design by separating the numerical key pad out as a separate entity, but the pad is included in the package.  So, one doesn't lose the keys all together or have to pay the pad separately.  Nice.  The whole setup is wireless, which is rather in vogue these days.  The wireless USB receiver is just like Logitech's nano design.

Wow!  We have come a long way since last time I looked at wireless keyboards.  The last one I had was a MS Wireless Multimedia Keyboard or something like that and the wireless USB receiver is more or less the size of a a hockey pock.  I gave up on wireless keyboard a long while ago because of battery drainage and reception issues.  However, I had recent and good experience with Logitech's Marathon M705 mouse that is paired to my laptop computer.  So, maybe I will give the Sculpted Ergo keyboard a try and see.

Speaking of ergonomic mechanical keyboards

Well, I did some more searches on ergonomic mechanical keyboards.  Since I was coming from the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, I might as well see if I can get the best of both worlds, assuming that I like mechanical switches.  First Google search turned up Truly Ergonomic Keyboard (TEK) and of course, the famous Kinesis Advantage Keyboard.  Both feature the split ergonomic design which I have been using.  Not that I am adverse to a traditional layout, but after years using a split ergonomic design like the Microsoft (MS) ergo keyboard lines, I figure I should at least take a good look.

Both keyboards are radically different from the MS designs.  TEK layout is really different, It is still QWERTY, but features straight matrix rather than the traditional staggered layout for the keys.  Also, a lot of the non-alphanumeric keys are moved to the middle.  Radical changes indeed.  Kinesis' difference is the sunken, bowl shape pit areas for the fingers and moved some of the non-alphanumeric keys to the center as well, but kept the staggered key columns.  Kinesis uses Cherry MX brown while the new TEK use with Kailh Next Generation switches which are basically copies of the Cherry blue and brown.  TEK has a third option, which does use Cherry MX white for firmer keystroke responses.  From the look of it, TEK's older refurbished keyboards have Cherry brown or blue switches.  Both kinds have their legions of fans and detractors.  I am not surprised, since keyboard preferences are quite personal.

Both priced well north of $200 US dollars.  Perhaps a bit too rich for my blood.  Besides, I have already ordered 2 new mechanical keyboards to try already.  I am too chicken to try them out at this time.  Maybe next round.  :)