Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Ergonomic Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard for PC – Kailh Brown – TKL RGB Backlit Ergo Split Key Board

This keyboard presents itself as a well architected device with a great deal of engineering attention to detail. For example, they seem to have figured out the right amount of ergonomics such that placing my hands on the keys with my palms on the rest pads felt very comfortable. This was the fourth split keyboard in my recent search and the clear winner.I have never used a split key pad so there is a short learning curve. The bottom-line is that while I type slower I make fewer mistakes so my typing speed has actually increased!I love the ability to program the keys and change their color. I use a KVM which uses double scroll lock as a trigger to switch monitor, keyboard and mouse to another computer. Originally that required the Fn key as the key was labelled Print Scr / ScrLk. By flipping those keys I no longer need the Fn key. If you are a gamer you would probably use Print Scr more and not flip the keys. I also flipped Pause Break / Insert. I never use Pause Break but occasionally use Insert. I love the built-in Copy, Paste, Cut, Select all keys but changed the Select all to Undo. (P.S. Programming required a direct USB-Computer connection - would not program through the KVM.)The color coding is a wonderful aesthetic touch. I was not enamored of all the built in color schemes they offered which wave and oscillate so I created a static color scheme. Letters are light blue, numbers are purple, ctrl keys are red, etc. This of-course makes very little difference to the typing experience but it's like your house color - it makes no difference to your house's functionality but it's a nice personal touch.I have the brown keys and many people have commented on how loud they are. No question they are louder than membrane/rubber keys which have been my primary experience for years. (The red keys are much quieter but don't offer the same tactile feedback.) In the grand scheme of things people talking in the next cubicle or an overhead A/C unit contribute more to overall noise pollution. The pinging some people have mentioned is subtle - did not even notice until I started listening for it. If you are in a conference call or on the phone people will hear you typing. But even membrane keyboards are not stealthy - I muted myself on calls when using my old Logitech membrane keyboard.Someone mentioned this is clone of the Kinesis Pro - not really. I ordered and received the Kinesis Pro upon which I saw their warning that it was not to be attached to a KVM so I could not even try it out. The other split keyboard option is the Goldtouch which I did not order but it does not have the custom Copy, Cut, Paste buttons which I am enamored with.The software application and the firmware are not signed as several people have mentioned so be prepared for the warnings but I just carried on. They both installed. The keyboard works out of the box so if you do not need to program the keys it is not necessary to install.

Great keyboard.First day using it I was convinced i'd made a terrible purchase, by day 3 I was convinced I loved it.Decided on this while searching for a mechanical keyboard that was split, ergonomic, and had a media/volume knob. I use this keyboard for work (code) and play. I am dealing with RSI in both my wrists and wear wrist braces most days. This keyboard significantly reduced my strain so I rarely wear the left wrist brace. I still wear one on my right as it is my mouse hand. (Recommended a vertical mouse for fellow RSI/carpal tunnel people. I use the Logitech Lift)I do really miss having a tenkey, but the tenting and angling of the keyboard make it worth it to adapt. I've added a standalone tenkey device to my desk that I keep out of the way until I need it.I don't really make use of the macro keys on the left but i'm sure others will.Keyboard does need 3rd party software, kind of disappointing but I guess it's pretty standard. It's not Razer Synapse, at least. It seems pretty lightweight, I've had no issues with it. Havent had to touch it since first setup.Keyboard has typical RBG lighting capabilities, I just leave it on a default pattern.Ergonomics are great, the extended 'lip' at the bottom of the keyboard looks a little odd but it's there for your wrists to rest on. I keep it tented at half tent (there's 2 feet on each half that have a half tent or full tent length, no inbetweens) My left wrist in particular is doing way better. The angle of the keyboard is much more comfortable for extended use of WASD or MMO layouts. It was Wow classic killing my wrist that made me decide to jump on the ergonomic/split boat, and it's much more comfortable now.Only cons:Normal keyboards feel weird nowUSB cable connecting the 2 halves seems proprietary and may be very hard to replace, I have not checked if it is sold standalone. I think the keyboard will not function properly without their specific cable.