4 ms·

Get an off-the-shelf Arisu layout keyboard from a reputable manufacturer. You don't have to worry about the billion options. The Arisu layout keyboards are the

Get an off-the-shelf Arisu layout keyboard from a reputable manufacturer. You don't have to worry about the billion options. The Arisu layout keyboards are the closest mechanical keyboards you can get to a MS Natural keyboard layout, IMHO. Keychron has several models of different sizes that give you good options on size vs. function vs. price: V8/V10, Q8/Q10, K15 Pro, etc. They sell on Amazon, their own site and some mech kbd vendors as well. Their own site is the only one that carries the entire product line, however. Akkogear has a model (ACR Pro Alice Plus) that's quite affordable and good build quality. Feker Alice boards from Epomaker are another good choice.

rgoulter 3y ago
I find it bizarre to say "Arisu layout" and "ergonomic" in the same sentence. The layout looks cool. The only two ergonomic things about it are that the letters are slightly split apart, and slightly at an angle. (The thumb gets to press more keys than on a standard keyboard, but not as many as on better keyboards). The layouts tend to have weird features, stuff like: the digit for 6 is placed on the left-hand side; or that it's got pinky-finger modifiers, but not 3 on each side. Many layouts also drop the function row (indicating users are expected to use layers), but retain a nav cluster. - The layout of the alphabetical keys is also weirdly asymmetric.
- tom_ 3y ago
  6 on the left is the same as the the split MS keyboards - for good or for ill. (But at least it's the same!)
tom_ 3y ago
Unlike the MS Natural 4000, all of these seem to lack one or more of: symmetrical meta keys, F keys, standard navigation cluster, right hand Ctrl and/or Alt, cursor keys away from the main typing area (probably necessary for symmetrical meta keys anyway), PrtSc key. (A pause key would be nice too. I think I can survive without ScrLk.) I like having a numeric keypad, but that can always be bought separately. Volume controls and mute would be a nice. I like them separate, but Fn+something is acceptable. Even if I'd never buy any of them, I do like the fact that there are all these different layouts. But it's a constant mystery to me why none of them are remotely like the very standard MS split layout that's been around for over 25 years.

rgoulter 3y ago

I find it bizarre to say "Arisu layout" and "ergonomic" in the same sentence. The layout looks cool. The only two ergonomic things about it are that the letters are slightly split apart, and slightly at an angle. (The thumb gets to press more keys than on a standard keyboard, but not as many as on better keyboards). The layouts tend to have weird features, stuff like: the digit for 6 is placed on the left-hand side; or that it's got pinky-finger modifiers, but not 3 on each side. Many layouts also drop the function row (indicating users are expected to use layers), but retain a nav cluster. - The layout of the alphabetical keys is also weirdly asymmetric.

tom_ 3y ago
6 on the left is the same as the the split MS keyboards - for good or for ill. (But at least it's the same!)

tom_ 3y ago

Unlike the MS Natural 4000, all of these seem to lack one or more of: symmetrical meta keys, F keys, standard navigation cluster, right hand Ctrl and/or Alt, cursor keys away from the main typing area (probably necessary for symmetrical meta keys anyway), PrtSc key. (A pause key would be nice too. I think I can survive without ScrLk.) I like having a numeric keypad, but that can always be bought separately. Volume controls and mute would be a nice. I like them separate, but Fn+something is acceptable. Even if I'd never buy any of them, I do like the fact that there are all these different layouts. But it's a constant mystery to me why none of them are remotely like the very standard MS split layout that's been around for over 25 years.