Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by solardev 303 days ago
I spent many years typing on the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard (which is slightly different, with laptop-style keys), but it completely eliminated my typing pain. I can now type comfortably at about 120-140 wpm for hours on end with no discomfort.

Once they discontinued it, InCase picked it back up: https://www.incase.com/collections/productivity-accessories/...

Along with maybe what looks like a replacement for your old one? https://www.incase.com/collections/productivity-accessories/...

There are also copycats (of the Sculpt). Two that I've tried and liked:

HP 960: https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-960-ergonomic-wireless-...

Matias Sculpted Ergonomic Rechargeable Keyboard: https://matias.store/products/fk413d (small Canadian company, but they make an amazingly tiny USB-C dongle compatible with many of their products)

I ended up using the HP more than the others, preferring its keyfeel over the Matias. But both are well-built.

---------

If you don't want the mass-market stuff, there are also many companies making more hardcore ergo keyboards (two-part splits, vertical orientations, customizable keycaps, more natural/curved arrangements, etc.). But those typically cost multiple hundreds of dollars, rather than the $100-$120 or so for the off-the-shelf kind I listed above. And they just feel a bit too extreme for my tastes...

1 comments

Wow, thank you for all these. I didn't knew Incase picked up the Microsoft keyboard but that's a good news (too bad they haven't restarted the "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000", this one was my absolute favorite!

One thing that makes me hesitant to buy one of these, is that I'm hoping that with one such as the Moonlander or the Glove80, I can replace the used part easily, which should cost less in the long run (but maybe I'm wrong here).

> I can replace the used part easily, which should cost less in the long run (but maybe I'm wrong here)

I'm not sure there. Keyboards are naturally consumables with moving and friction parts that will eventually need replacement. I'd be worried about whether those companies will still be around in a few years and still offer parts for older keyboards. I'm also not sure if replacing parts makes sense if the original one is 3x or 4x more expensive to begin with.

Personally, I'd just go with what feels most comfortable, and maybe buy two or three of them and store the extras. Paying a hundred or two for something you'll use every day for years isn't a big deal (hopefully), but comfort is!