My thoughts as well. I do have a friend who can type code, including all the various punctuation marks and off words, at speeds that would make a professional typist stand in awe - seriously, the guy can type in lines of code faster than most anyone can type an actual document in a word processor. He might get some use out of a keyboard like. But that makes for a very niche market - of course, at this price, that's exactly what it is.
This question is much more suitable for every single keyboard with a standard stupidly giant space bar insisting that you have to dedicate 20% of your fingers to a single button.
You can get Koolertron ergo mechanical for under $200. They have a backlit 62 key one with programmable keys, 24 macro, using Outemu switches for $140. Although the split is more for gamers, not for typers.
The Mistel Barocco is another option. Split is more normal, has programmable keys, macro support, no back lighting, and uses Cherry MX switches, also $140.
There's a lot of ergo mechanical keyboards on the market and they aren't all $200+
Six months ago I lost my job and after that I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a great website which literally saved me• I started working for them online and in a short time after I've started averaging 15k a month••• iｃash68.ｃｏM
Kailh switch, ABS keycap, made in hungary, no backlight and $275.. what a joke You can get RealForce for that price, or standard tenkeyless keyboard with Cherry switch and PBT kecap for like 1/4 of the price
Keyboard enthusiasts don't prefer Cherry switches over Kailh. They consider them in the same category, and without modifications they're pretty basic "beginner" switches. Also, most of the highly desirable keycap sets on the market are ABS, not PBT. PBT is great, and means no shine, but PBT is really great for gaming keyboards. I'll keep my ABS keycap sets. Also who wants a backlight? I want sharp, easily readable legends, not backlighting. And who cares where it's made? Some of the best custom keyboards on the market are produced elsewhere; what an arbitrary standard. I'm not a fan of this board for my own reasons, but your reply sounds like it's coming from someone that hasn't spent a lot of time as a mech enthusiast.
Majority of my key caps, the legends have rubbed off. I've since just started replacing keys that I don't use as much with random legends. Things like Portal keys or legend-less translucent caps.
I also like rgb backlighting, cause when I swap between different games, the backlighting changes to show the key layout for the game. While it doesn't matter too much for regular use, it could prove beneficial when you're creating different layers on a programmable keyboard.
For a comment claiming that someone else's comment stems out of ignorance, your comment surely takes the cake for not substantiating even a *single* claim.
"PBT is great, and means no shine, but PBT is really great for gaming keyboards."
"Some of the best custom keyboards on the market are produced elsewhere; what an arbitrary standard."
I don't understand what this keyboard is supposed to offer as a benefit for the listed price or who would find it as the best option over the many other keyboards out there in a heavily saturated market. Sometimes uniqueness of design does not actually add value.
Pretty much. Like the Happy Hacking keyboards. Weird layouts, mediocre build, high price. Well, today they are a stupid high price. They were originally just slightly higher price than a normal keyboard. I think they didn't expect a weird layout 60-ish key keyboard would do too well, so they were like $50-60.
Today, the quality isn't any different and they aren't mechanical, but command $250+. Slap "hack" in the name somewhere and charge high. Guess that's the name of the game.
I use a split keyboard (Kinesis Freestyle 2) and would prefer if B and 6 were on both sides. I find my self wanting to use my right index finger for those two a lot, which always trips me up. :)
I'm a touch typer, but not a "proper" touch typer (I don't use my pinkies and mainly use my index/middle fingers for everything, only occasionally using my ring fingers), but can still type around 80 wpm.
Well the Freestyle 2 doesn't have mechanical keys so not really in the same league (it's significantly cheaper though).
That said, Kinesis offers the excellent Freestyle Pro with either Cherry MX Brown or Reds for $180 and I have no idea why anybody would pick this keyboard over that one.
Yup, me too. I'll never buy a split keyboard unless they put both B and Y on both sides. I think I'd probably need a duplicated 6, too (yup, just hit 6 with my right hand both times), but the B and Y are non-negotiable.
Interesting! One thought, one question. I think that a higher cost of the major input device might be quite worth it, as that is more often than not a key limiting factor for speed/productivity. I am sometimes amazed how people with HEDT or even professional workstation setups skimp on their keyboards and mice. Unless one spends only minutes at a time inputting data and then hours processing them without user input, a high quality keyboard will be the cheapest way to boost productivity.
My question about this and similar keyboards is how secure are these "smart" setups? If they are as easy to compromise as many IoT devices, I would hesitate deploying them.
My guess is that the Agent software is based on QMK and isn't IoT. Many modern alternative keyboards use QMK, which produces a file that gets directly downloaded from your PC to the keyboard.
"a high quality keyboard will be the cheapest way to boost productivity"
Will boost the comfort of using the system for sure. Productivity? Maybe as a typist or "data entry specialist"?
Lots of professionals that input a lot on a keyboard (writer/coder/sys admin/etc) also need to think about what they are typing rather than "blindly" typing like a human copier. That thinking process, instead of the computer that they use (let alone the keyboard), is what's limiting productivity for most of them.
This. 60% is popular in the custom keyboard maker community by virtue of being the quickest route to completing project boards with desired components and features. But to voluntarily submit to suffer with modes to save literally 2" of desk space is sheer madness.
The split keyboard design is lazy. So inconvenient to have moveable pieces with an extra cable. The perfect shape is in the MS Sculpt keyboard and a wired (and possibly mechanical) version of that would dominate all these split keyboard clones.
Nope, the split keyboard works great for a lot of people as you can adjust the distance between the halves, and the angles of each half independently. The one-piece egro keyboards are only comfortable for one specific size range of people. If your hands are too big/too small, or your shoulders too wide/narrow, then the keyboard isn't comfortable at all.
My keyboard tends to have the left half of the keyboard at more of an angle than the right, which makes it more comfortable for me, and eliminates any angle in my wrists. Having the split in the middle keeps the right half closer to the mouse pad, without having to bend my left wrist/elbow to reach the left half.
Just because it works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone. :)
This is a good point, but the number of people with your level of dramatic physical asymmetry is fairly small when compared to the population at large that only experiences minor differences between their left and right due mainly to muscular usage for left or right hand dominance (something that can even be corrected to a great extent through balanced exercise routines that develop the muscles of both sides). I am not at all saying that the market of asymmetric people shoudn't be served. Everyone, regardless of body form, deserves to have a chance to at effective data entry, but the price to play puts this out of reach of some of those afflicted with severe asymmetry and that does them a disservice by dangling a solution they cannot easily afford in their faces.
Really? I used to have the sculpt and the Natural Ergonomic 4000 and I find an actual split keyboard way more comfortable.
Also if you want your hands in a natural position, the tiny separation those one-piece keyboards give you is by far not enough to keep your wrists straight.. at least for me.
Hi there, and thanks for the review! I'm László Monda, the founder of the UHK. Please let me comment on some of the points metioned.
1. The price is actually reasonable compared to other high-end split mechanical keyboards. We have multiple competitors who offer more expensive keyboards. 2. We don't yet offer PBT caps, nor backlighting, but we'll offer them in a future UHK hardware revision along with many other improvements. We don't have an ETA about this yet. Feel free to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the bottom of our site, so we can keep you updated. 3. It's a common misconception that Kailh switches are lower quality compared to Cherry switches. Kailh switches actually have thicker metal pins which makes them less prone to bending. Also, Kailh almost always has stock unlike Cherry. These are the reasons we pick Kailh over Cherry, not the price. 4. The front side printing on the keycaps shows their Mod layer functions, not their Fn layer functions. 5. The metal plates are actually very sturdy on their own. The plastic shell is not required for sturdiness, it merely contains the electronics. 6. The three letter abbreviations of the keymaps is easily modifiable in Agent by clicking on them.
Good eye, but I *do* think that double-post is informative. It would bother me for a poster not to disclose their affiliation, but that would be my main concern - not the content.
I preordered it some time ago and got it last year, I think. I've been using it at work ever since and I love it. I don't type particularly fast, but never having to leave the home row (e.g. for the arrow keys or pg up/down, home, end) has made typing more comfortable than with a standard keyboard. Also having the two halves about 50 centimeters apart feels fantastic while lying back in the chair.
As to the price, yeah it's pretty high so this must be something you really really fancy, but it's well worth IMO. It's a very high quality piece and maybe the perks are not immediately obvious: great repairability, _everything_ is open sourced (PC software, firmware, BOM, schematics, PCB), support for all Linux & Mac, configuration is stored in onboard memory so you can carry it around, endless modding potential (got 2 exposed I2Cs + power connectors on each piece) and it's solid - works perfectly, no quirks, doesn't feel like a flimsy DIY project. If you're interested in this sort of thing, you'd be hard pressed to find a similar package.
I'm obviously biased, but for me it's the best thing since sliced bread :)
The double posting of duplicate content with different user names makes it clear you are not a legitimate, unbiased user of this particular product. No one is fooled by two people (randomcommenter and EmbeddedShire) copying and pasting the same statement.
If you are planning to shill for your company, at least put some effort into it!
> unbiased user "I'm obviously biased", never pretended to be.
I read the website daily but don't usually comment. Create the randomcommenter account back when I wanted to comment on one article I was interested in but for some reason the posts wouldn't get published in the comments section. Thought the name was too throw-away and got caught by some bot-filter or something so I made this other one.
Logged in today after ages with my usual email address, posted my first comment - didn't see it go to the 2 second page and remember the previous pain, so I got into this other one. I rarely post stuff online.
In that case, please accept my apology for calling you out. I'm naturally suspicious of comments these days so it is easy to get caught up in those sorts of assumptions and then overreact.
"The only real issue with the UHK is its unreasonably high price tag. It is currently retailing at $275 plus shipping, and this is without any of its accessories. The palm rest alone costs an additional $75"
I'm surprised that no one at Anandtech is a r/mk. There's bound to be a few there typing away on their own unique creations. $300 is rather average for a custom-built keyboard. Some of the most expensive go for well over a thousand. Although I will admit that it's a niche hobby.
Yes, when I read "exorbitant price" I thought it would be closer to $999. I have Logitech G915 laying around somewhere, which I bought for $250. I have zero problem paying more than that for a great keyboard, even though I'm typing this on a $60 low profile Havit keyboard (chosen as the best out of five different low profile keyboards I tried).
I went from using an array of MS Natural keyboards for ~20 years to an ErgoDox EZ to the UHK. I didn't last long on the ErgoDox. Too much customization, and I could never remember the key layout. To be honest, I really like the printed keycaps on the UHK. It made learning to use it much faster. I've customized it a fair bit now, but most of the keycaps can be moved around, so the labels are still mostly correct. Its solid, reliable, and comfortable. The mod key and mouse keys are surprisingly useful. No wrist pain so far after a year and a half on it. It was honestly exactly what I was looking for. If you're used to a traditional split ergonomic keyboard but want the added comfort of mechanical switches, you can't go wrong with the UHK.
"I didn't last long on the ErgoDox. Too much customization, and I could never remember the key layout. "
You can get keycaps with labels on the ErgoDox.
I've got one on order, myself--the Infinity, not the EZ--and a set of keycaps with lettering on most of them. I haven't had a chance to use it yet--I ordered it as a group by from Kono and it's taking forever, and now with COVID-19 I'm looking at at least a couple of extra months.
I had the ErgoDox with the keycaps, but it was all the other keys that I struggled with, e.g. pgup, pgdown, home, end, insert. Even the lack of printed symbols above the numbers were frustrating, which despite using qwerty keyboards for 25+ years, I still occasionally need to look down for. The UHK not only has a full set of standard keycaps, but many of the special 'mod' mappings are printed on the side of the keycap facing you. There's a lot of attention to detail which I appreciate.
That said, if I could get an ErgoDox with full printed keycaps, I'd be tempted to try it. I'm also tempted to try the Kinesis Advantage, but the UHK is adequately meeting all my needs right now. Also looking forward to the extra key cluster and trackpoint modules shipping soon.
Oh yeah, I forgot one major point, which was probably the biggest reason I didn't keep the ErgoDox. I tent the keyboard inward (so it is angled up toward the center). Oh the UHK, the wrist rests are attached to the keyboard, so they move with it. On the ErgoDox EZ, they are separate. I tried all manner of jury-rigging the EZ's wrist rest and it was never comfortable. I did see a few builds of the ErgoDox Infinity which had full wrist rests, but you couldn't "just buy" one. They were always group buys which had ended.
If you're willing to spend this kind of money on a keyboard and are really serious about typing, I think a better option would be to spend a bit more and go with Kinesis' Advantage 2.
This has too many gimmicks. If it didn't have the whole business with the modifiers and alternate key functions, I think the reviewer's preoccupation with backlighting would be almost silly. However, they kind of painted themselves into a corner, by adding so much complexity that it'd be hard to use its full capabilities *without* being able to clearly see the keycaps.
It's not that unique though, is it? When I think of unique, I think of boards that have gone out of their way to be better in some unique manner.. Truly Ergonomic, for example, Kinesis and so on. This is just a small split keyboard with programmable functionality.
In future reviews like it would be great to know what OSs the configuration software supports. I'm pretty unlikely to get a keyboard that I can't configure without buying into e.g. Windows.
Great keyboard. I have one for office and one for home. Sturdy as. Pleasure to type on. Took some learning to get used to. But worth it. The suppliers are good to deal with. Agent software to customize keyboard is pretty functional.
This review by Brett Terpstra is what got me interested
I pre-ordered one and am really happy with it, I don’t get why so many people are so negative? The build-quality is great and the materials are of much higher quality than the HHKB, which is not cheap either. If you are not into high-end keyboards, fine, but no reason to specifically pick on this one. Maybe Anandtech should have more keyboard reviews, so people learn about it. Maybe a review of the new HHKB would be a nice start. (hint, hint)
This keyboard reminds me of my favorite programming keyboard, the GoldTouch Ergonomic Series. https://shop.goldtouch.com/collections/ergonomic-k... Not only do they split, like the UHK, but they are "tilt-able" for better typing comfort. And the price is more around the $100-$150 range.
Well this is exciting. Split 60% means a full Microsoft Natural replica cannot be too far behind (the good original white one, not the crap grey and black ones from later on).
Updated with the full Corsair K95 style 15 G keys of course.
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drexnx - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
but why though?rrinker - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
My thoughts as well. I do have a friend who can type code, including all the various punctuation marks and off words, at speeds that would make a professional typist stand in awe - seriously, the guy can type in lines of code faster than most anyone can type an actual document in a word processor. He might get some use out of a keyboard like. But that makes for a very niche market - of course, at this price, that's exactly what it is.evernessince - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Then again, why would you bother with cheap brown knockoffs if you are spending this kind of money.You can get 35g optical switches which are far better if you are going to be typical out a lot.
2deski - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
This question is much more suitable for every single keyboard with a standard stupidly giant space bar insisting that you have to dedicate 20% of your fingers to a single button.twtech - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
Any ergonomic mechanical keyboard is going to run you $200+ all-in.For the people who would buy this, it's a professional tool, one that will see extensive use.
khanikun - Sunday, March 29, 2020 - link
You can get Koolertron ergo mechanical for under $200. They have a backlit 62 key one with programmable keys, 24 macro, using Outemu switches for $140. Although the split is more for gamers, not for typers.The Mistel Barocco is another option. Split is more normal, has programmable keys, macro support, no back lighting, and uses Cherry MX switches, also $140.
There's a lot of ergo mechanical keyboards on the market and they aren't all $200+
qit - Saturday, March 21, 2020 - link
To make profit.dianajmclean6 - Monday, March 23, 2020 - link
Six months ago I lost my job and after that I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a great website which literally saved me• I started working for them online and in a short time after I've started averaging 15k a month••• iｃash68.ｃｏMJohnMD1022 - Thursday, March 26, 2020 - link
SPAMnerd1 - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Kailh switch, ABS keycap, made in hungary, no backlight and $275.. what a jokeYou can get RealForce for that price, or standard tenkeyless keyboard with Cherry switch and PBT kecap for like 1/4 of the price
hansmuff - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
That'd be a RealForce and a Hasu controller -- multi-layer total programmability.commonmind - Sunday, March 15, 2020 - link
Keyboard enthusiasts don't prefer Cherry switches over Kailh. They consider them in the same category, and without modifications they're pretty basic "beginner" switches. Also, most of the highly desirable keycap sets on the market are ABS, not PBT. PBT is great, and means no shine, but PBT is really great for gaming keyboards. I'll keep my ABS keycap sets. Also who wants a backlight? I want sharp, easily readable legends, not backlighting. And who cares where it's made? Some of the best custom keyboards on the market are produced elsewhere; what an arbitrary standard. I'm not a fan of this board for my own reasons, but your reply sounds like it's coming from someone that hasn't spent a lot of time as a mech enthusiast.qit - Saturday, March 21, 2020 - link
A keyboard enthusiast that needs to read the legends on his/her keys?Sounds more like a keyboard collector who doesn't actually use keyboards to me.
khanikun - Sunday, March 29, 2020 - link
Majority of my key caps, the legends have rubbed off. I've since just started replacing keys that I don't use as much with random legends. Things like Portal keys or legend-less translucent caps.I also like rgb backlighting, cause when I swap between different games, the backlighting changes to show the key layout for the game. While it doesn't matter too much for regular use, it could prove beneficial when you're creating different layers on a programmable keyboard.
yasamoka - Saturday, April 11, 2020 - link
For a comment claiming that someone else's comment stems out of ignorance, your comment surely takes the cake for not substantiating even a *single* claim."PBT is great, and means no shine, but PBT is really great for gaming keyboards."
"Some of the best custom keyboards on the market are produced elsewhere; what an arbitrary standard."
"I'm not a fan of this board for my own reasons"
No substance whatsoever.
Henk Poley - Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - link
I am not seeing any ergonomic split keyboards from Realforce. Maybe you are mistaken about what this product is?PeachNCream - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
I don't understand what this keyboard is supposed to offer as a benefit for the listed price or who would find it as the best option over the many other keyboards out there in a heavily saturated market. Sometimes uniqueness of design does not actually add value.mode_13h - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
It seems to be aimed at the image-conscious hacker, who perhaps harbors insecurities about being insufficiently 'L337.khanikun - Sunday, March 29, 2020 - link
Pretty much. Like the Happy Hacking keyboards. Weird layouts, mediocre build, high price. Well, today they are a stupid high price. They were originally just slightly higher price than a normal keyboard. I think they didn't expect a weird layout 60-ish key keyboard would do too well, so they were like $50-60.Today, the quality isn't any different and they aren't mechanical, but command $250+. Slap "hack" in the name somewhere and charge high. Guess that's the name of the game.
heartinpiece - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
But I use my right index finger to type 'B'!!!phoenix_rizzen - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
I use a split keyboard (Kinesis Freestyle 2) and would prefer if B and 6 were on both sides. I find my self wanting to use my right index finger for those two a lot, which always trips me up. :)I'm a touch typer, but not a "proper" touch typer (I don't use my pinkies and mainly use my index/middle fingers for everything, only occasionally using my ring fingers), but can still type around 80 wpm.
Voo - Monday, March 16, 2020 - link
Well the Freestyle 2 doesn't have mechanical keys so not really in the same league (it's significantly cheaper though).That said, Kinesis offers the excellent Freestyle Pro with either Cherry MX Brown or Reds for $180 and I have no idea why anybody would pick this keyboard over that one.
s.yu - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Funny though I use my left index to type Y, another issue with these boards split in two.Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Yup, me too. I'll never buy a split keyboard unless they put both B and Y on both sides. I think I'd probably need a duplicated 6, too (yup, just hit 6 with my right hand both times), but the B and Y are non-negotiable.eastcoast_pete - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Interesting! One thought, one question. I think that a higher cost of the major input device might be quite worth it, as that is more often than not a key limiting factor for speed/productivity. I am sometimes amazed how people with HEDT or even professional workstation setups skimp on their keyboards and mice. Unless one spends only minutes at a time inputting data and then hours processing them without user input, a high quality keyboard will be the cheapest way to boost productivity.My question about this and similar keyboards is how secure are these "smart" setups? If they are as easy to compromise as many IoT devices, I would hesitate deploying them.
1_rick - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
My guess is that the Agent software is based on QMK and isn't IoT. Many modern alternative keyboards use QMK, which produces a file that gets directly downloaded from your PC to the keyboard.qit - Saturday, March 21, 2020 - link
"a high quality keyboard will be the cheapest way to boost productivity"Will boost the comfort of using the system for sure. Productivity? Maybe as a typist or "data entry specialist"?
Lots of professionals that input a lot on a keyboard (writer/coder/sys admin/etc) also need to think about what they are typing rather than "blindly" typing like a human copier. That thinking process, instead of the computer that they use (let alone the keyboard), is what's limiting productivity for most of them.
shabby - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Is this suitable for content creators? Asking for a friend...s.yu - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
The build looks like it's worth $10, honestly.edzieba - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Ah, the irony of a 'productivity' focussed keyboard in the 60% layout.ABR - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
This. 60% is popular in the custom keyboard maker community by virtue of being the quickest route to completing project boards with desired components and features. But to voluntarily submit to suffer with modes to save literally 2" of desk space is sheer madness.CSMR - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
The split keyboard design is lazy. So inconvenient to have moveable pieces with an extra cable. The perfect shape is in the MS Sculpt keyboard and a wired (and possibly mechanical) version of that would dominate all these split keyboard clones.phoenix_rizzen - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Nope, the split keyboard works great for a lot of people as you can adjust the distance between the halves, and the angles of each half independently. The one-piece egro keyboards are only comfortable for one specific size range of people. If your hands are too big/too small, or your shoulders too wide/narrow, then the keyboard isn't comfortable at all.My keyboard tends to have the left half of the keyboard at more of an angle than the right, which makes it more comfortable for me, and eliminates any angle in my wrists. Having the split in the middle keeps the right half closer to the mouse pad, without having to bend my left wrist/elbow to reach the left half.
Just because it works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone. :)
PeachNCream - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
This is a good point, but the number of people with your level of dramatic physical asymmetry is fairly small when compared to the population at large that only experiences minor differences between their left and right due mainly to muscular usage for left or right hand dominance (something that can even be corrected to a great extent through balanced exercise routines that develop the muscles of both sides). I am not at all saying that the market of asymmetric people shoudn't be served. Everyone, regardless of body form, deserves to have a chance to at effective data entry, but the price to play puts this out of reach of some of those afflicted with severe asymmetry and that does them a disservice by dangling a solution they cannot easily afford in their faces.Voo - Monday, March 16, 2020 - link
Really? I used to have the sculpt and the Natural Ergonomic 4000 and I find an actual split keyboard way more comfortable.Also if you want your hands in a natural position, the tiny separation those one-piece keyboards give you is by far not enough to keep your wrists straight.. at least for me.
mondalaci - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Hi there, and thanks for the review! I'm László Monda, the founder of the UHK. Please let me comment on some of the points metioned.1. The price is actually reasonable compared to other high-end split mechanical keyboards. We have multiple competitors who offer more expensive keyboards.
2. We don't yet offer PBT caps, nor backlighting, but we'll offer them in a future UHK hardware revision along with many other improvements. We don't have an ETA about this yet. Feel free to subscribe to our monthly newsletter at the bottom of our site, so we can keep you updated.
3. It's a common misconception that Kailh switches are lower quality compared to Cherry switches. Kailh switches actually have thicker metal pins which makes them less prone to bending. Also, Kailh almost always has stock unlike Cherry. These are the reasons we pick Kailh over Cherry, not the price.
4. The front side printing on the keycaps shows their Mod layer functions, not their Fn layer functions.
5. The metal plates are actually very sturdy on their own. The plastic shell is not required for sturdiness, it merely contains the electronics.
6. The three letter abbreviations of the keymaps is easily modifiable in Agent by clicking on them.
PeachNCream - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
Why is it that your typing style is alarmingly similar to teh doubled up anecdotal happy user comments from the supposedly two different people below?mode_13h - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
Good eye, but I *do* think that double-post is informative. It would bother me for a poster not to disclose their affiliation, but that would be my main concern - not the content.EmbeddedShire - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
I preordered it some time ago and got it last year, I think. I've been using it at work ever since and I love it.I don't type particularly fast, but never having to leave the home row (e.g. for the arrow keys or pg up/down, home, end) has made typing more comfortable than with a standard keyboard. Also having the two halves about 50 centimeters apart feels fantastic while lying back in the chair.
As to the price, yeah it's pretty high so this must be something you really really fancy, but it's well worth IMO. It's a very high quality piece and maybe the perks are not immediately obvious:
great repairability, _everything_ is open sourced (PC software, firmware, BOM, schematics, PCB), support for all Linux & Mac, configuration is stored in onboard memory so you can carry it around, endless modding potential (got 2 exposed I2Cs + power connectors on each piece) and it's solid - works perfectly, no quirks, doesn't feel like a flimsy DIY project.
If you're interested in this sort of thing, you'd be hard pressed to find a similar package.
I'm obviously biased, but for me it's the best thing since sliced bread :)
PeachNCream - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
The double posting of duplicate content with different user names makes it clear you are not a legitimate, unbiased user of this particular product. No one is fooled by two people (randomcommenter and EmbeddedShire) copying and pasting the same statement.If you are planning to shill for your company, at least put some effort into it!
EmbeddedShire - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
> unbiased user"I'm obviously biased", never pretended to be.
I read the website daily but don't usually comment. Create the randomcommenter account back when I wanted to comment on one article I was interested in but for some reason the posts wouldn't get published in the comments section. Thought the name was too throw-away and got caught by some bot-filter or something so I made this other one.
Logged in today after ages with my usual email address, posted my first comment - didn't see it go to the 2 second page and remember the previous pain, so I got into this other one. I rarely post stuff online.
PeachNCream - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
In that case, please accept my apology for calling you out. I'm naturally suspicious of comments these days so it is easy to get caught up in those sorts of assumptions and then overreact.EmbeddedShire - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
cheers :)with the internet brimming with bots and fake accounts, it's normal
Droekath - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
"The only real issue with the UHK is its unreasonably high price tag. It is currently retailing at $275 plus shipping, and this is without any of its accessories. The palm rest alone costs an additional $75"I'm surprised that no one at Anandtech is a r/mk. There's bound to be a few there typing away on their own unique creations. $300 is rather average for a custom-built keyboard. Some of the most expensive go for well over a thousand. Although I will admit that it's a niche hobby.
p1esk - Sunday, March 15, 2020 - link
Yes, when I read "exorbitant price" I thought it would be closer to $999. I have Logitech G915 laying around somewhere, which I bought for $250. I have zero problem paying more than that for a great keyboard, even though I'm typing this on a $60 low profile Havit keyboard (chosen as the best out of five different low profile keyboards I tried).Small Bison - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
What's so "unique" about this keyboard to justify the $100 price premium over a Kinesis split keyboard with Cherry switches?Hxx - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
So no rgb I take and no volume rocker ? Lol darn itmgulick - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
I went from using an array of MS Natural keyboards for ~20 years to an ErgoDox EZ to the UHK. I didn't last long on the ErgoDox. Too much customization, and I could never remember the key layout. To be honest, I really like the printed keycaps on the UHK. It made learning to use it much faster. I've customized it a fair bit now, but most of the keycaps can be moved around, so the labels are still mostly correct. Its solid, reliable, and comfortable. The mod key and mouse keys are surprisingly useful. No wrist pain so far after a year and a half on it. It was honestly exactly what I was looking for. If you're used to a traditional split ergonomic keyboard but want the added comfort of mechanical switches, you can't go wrong with the UHK.1_rick - Thursday, March 12, 2020 - link
"I didn't last long on the ErgoDox. Too much customization, and I could never remember the key layout. "You can get keycaps with labels on the ErgoDox.
I've got one on order, myself--the Infinity, not the EZ--and a set of keycaps with lettering on most of them. I haven't had a chance to use it yet--I ordered it as a group by from Kono and it's taking forever, and now with COVID-19 I'm looking at at least a couple of extra months.
mgulick - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
I had the ErgoDox with the keycaps, but it was all the other keys that I struggled with, e.g. pgup, pgdown, home, end, insert. Even the lack of printed symbols above the numbers were frustrating, which despite using qwerty keyboards for 25+ years, I still occasionally need to look down for. The UHK not only has a full set of standard keycaps, but many of the special 'mod' mappings are printed on the side of the keycap facing you. There's a lot of attention to detail which I appreciate.That said, if I could get an ErgoDox with full printed keycaps, I'd be tempted to try it. I'm also tempted to try the Kinesis Advantage, but the UHK is adequately meeting all my needs right now. Also looking forward to the extra key cluster and trackpoint modules shipping soon.
mgulick - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
Oh yeah, I forgot one major point, which was probably the biggest reason I didn't keep the ErgoDox. I tent the keyboard inward (so it is angled up toward the center). Oh the UHK, the wrist rests are attached to the keyboard, so they move with it. On the ErgoDox EZ, they are separate. I tried all manner of jury-rigging the EZ's wrist rest and it was never comfortable. I did see a few builds of the ErgoDox Infinity which had full wrist rests, but you couldn't "just buy" one. They were always group buys which had ended.mode_13h - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
If you're willing to spend this kind of money on a keyboard and are really serious about typing, I think a better option would be to spend a bit more and go with Kinesis' Advantage 2.This has too many gimmicks. If it didn't have the whole business with the modifiers and alternate key functions, I think the reviewer's preoccupation with backlighting would be almost silly. However, they kind of painted themselves into a corner, by adding so much complexity that it'd be hard to use its full capabilities *without* being able to clearly see the keycaps.
yetanotherhuman - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
It's not that unique though, is it?When I think of unique, I think of boards that have gone out of their way to be better in some unique manner.. Truly Ergonomic, for example, Kinesis and so on. This is just a small split keyboard with programmable functionality.
ender8282 - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
In future reviews like it would be great to know what OSs the configuration software supports. I'm pretty unlikely to get a keyboard that I can't configure without buying into e.g. Windows.sygreenblum - Friday, March 13, 2020 - link
I always wanted a keyboard that lacks all special keys but takes up just as much room as a more useful keyboard.Forexdied - Saturday, March 14, 2020 - link
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I tried these when they first started popping up years ago. Never really got why people like them. It messes with my touch typing.mhb - Monday, March 16, 2020 - link
Great keyboard. I have one for office and one for home. Sturdy as. Pleasure to type on. Took some learning to get used to. But worth it. The suppliers are good to deal with. Agent software to customize keyboard is pretty functional.This review by Brett Terpstra is what got me interested
https://brettterpstra.com/2018/08/17/i-wrote-a-rev...
tty4 - Thursday, March 19, 2020 - link
I pre-ordered one and am really happy with it, I don’t get why so many people are so negative?The build-quality is great and the materials are of much higher quality than the HHKB, which is not cheap either.
If you are not into high-end keyboards, fine, but no reason to specifically pick on this one.
Maybe Anandtech should have more keyboard reviews, so people learn about it. Maybe a review of the new HHKB would be a nice start. (hint, hint)
CorbaTheGeek - Thursday, March 19, 2020 - link
This keyboard reminds me of my favorite programming keyboard, the GoldTouch Ergonomic Series.https://shop.goldtouch.com/collections/ergonomic-k...
Not only do they split, like the UHK, but they are "tilt-able" for better typing comfort.
And the price is more around the $100-$150 range.
Azethoth - Thursday, March 26, 2020 - link
Well this is exciting. Split 60% means a full Microsoft Natural replica cannot be too far behind (the good original white one, not the crap grey and black ones from later on).Updated with the full Corsair K95 style 15 G keys of course.
Henk Poley - Tuesday, March 31, 2020 - link
Expensive keyboard? You people haven't seen the KeyMouse 😂Ramandeep Singh - Tuesday, April 7, 2020 - link
This keyboard is pretty awesome. Detachable body makes it more portable.Raymond45 - Friday, September 11, 2020 - link
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better finding a Mechmarket group buy with a split keyboard, this...this ain't it chief