The Matias Ergo Pro would be a nice family PC keyboard! I'm considering whether I want to leave mine at home at my PC, or bring it to work and have it in my office to use at work since I'm using a unicomp ultra classic at work right now. Matias Ergo Pro Keyboard for PC; Low Force Edition FK403RPC 1.0 out of 5 stars 1. Kinesis Freestyle2 Blue Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard for Mac (9' Standard Separation) 4.0 out of 5 stars 2. Matias Ergo Pro Keyboard for PC 1.0 out of 5 stars 1. Matias Ergo Pro for Win.
(Note: As is the case with most linear keyswitches, the lack of any tactile feedback may still lead many users to inadvertently exert significantly more force than is required to actuate the keystroke.) Like the original Ergo Pro mechanical keyboard (which provides light tactile feedback), the Low Force edition is an adjustable, separated keyboard that offers considerable ergonomic benefits, and can accommodate the typing speeds of even the fastest users. The keyboard features the same sturdy design as the original Ergo Pro, helping it withstand the intense workloads of high performance, demanding users. The Matias Quiet Linear switches on the new edition are even quieter than those on the original Ergo Pro keyboard, and are rated at 50 million keystrokes. The key cap legends are laser etched and will not wear off even after intensive use. Bonus features include a three-port hi-speed USB 2.0 hub and special Anti-Ghosting circuitry, which enables the user to type at high speeds without dropping characters. The separate left and right modules of the keyboard can be positioned shoulder-width apart, and tented if necessary, to help users of all sizes reduce the health risks associated with ulnar deviation, over-rotation at the shoulder, and pronation of the hands. The feet on the Ergo Pro Low Force keyboard provide two mutually exclusive orientations.
The two modules can be laterally tented 9° to create the 'thumbs up' posture that reduces pronation. Alternatively, the inclination of the keyboard (which is neutral by default) can be adjusted to a negative inclination of 4.5°. The efficient, symmetrical design yields a compact lateral footprint of 14.5'. Combined with the embedded numeric keypad, this greatly reduces the reach for the mouse. The spacious and generously padded palm supports prevent wrist extension. The palm supports are by default securely screwed to the keyboard but can be removed if desired. The Ergo Pro Low Force Keyboard is available in both PC and Mac models.
Note: If concerned about the lack of tactile feedback on the Ergo Pro Low Force Keyboard consider the original Ergo Pro keyboard, which uses Matias Quiet Click keyswitches to provide light tactile feedback and quiet operation. Improves Upper Body Posture - The separated design of the Ergo Pro Low Force Keyboard allows all users-whether small, medium or large framed-to position the left and right keyboard modules shoulder-width apart. This allows the shoulders, elbows, arms and wrists to relax into an anatomically neutral position, improving upper body posture and blood flow. Padded palm pads provide a comfortable base of support for outstretched forearms, leading to a reduction in the load that would otherwise be borne by the muscles of the shoulders.
Reduces Shoulder, Upper Back, Elbow and Wrist Pain - Using a standard keyboard, many users, especially those with a larger build, tend to allow their shoulders to curl forward as they type. This posture compresses the chest and overstretches the upper back. Other users might sit more upright, but to position their fingers on the home row they tend to tuck their elbows in to their sides and bend their fingers outwards at the wrists (a position known as 'ulnar deviation'). This dual strain at the elbows and the wrists can lead to pain in the soft tissues surrounding both joints.
With the left and right modules of the Ergo Pro keyboard separated to shoulder width apart, the posture of the entire upper body improves. The shoulders become square, opening up the chest and relieving the strain on the upper back, and the arms, elbows, wrists and hands can relax into a more anatomically neutral and ergonomically beneficial alignment. Reduces Forearm, Wrist and Hand Pain - With the left and right modules of the Ergo Pro separated to shoulder width apart, upper body posture is improved, and the user is able to maintain a more comfortably neutral position through the shoulders, arms, and elbows.
'Ulnar deviation' (where the fingers must bend outward at the wrist to reach the home row and which is a known risk factor for wrist pain), is eliminated and the forearm, wrist and hands remain comfortably aligned throughout the work session. Sturdy palm supports address another risk factor.
By preventing the wrists from gradually dropping to the desktop as the user works, wrist extension (an upward bend at the wrist) is vastly reduced. Wrist extension is a known contributor to the development of numbness, tingling and weakness in the forearms, wrists, hands and fingers. Wrist extension can be further reduced by tilting the keyboard to its 4.5° negative incline (i.e. With the front higher than the back). Reduces Jarring Impact on the Fingers - Mechanical keyswitches do not need to strike the bottom of the keyboard to generate the keystroke. This feature, especially in combination with the full key travel distance (3.5 mm) and tactile feedback (indicating the point at which the keystroke has been actuated) means that users soon learn to use a lighter touch on a mechanical keyswitch than they would on a membrane or a scissor switch key.
The result is often a considerable reduction in the amount of pain and fatigue experienced in the hands and fingers. Reduced Force Lightens Load on Fingers - The Linear switches of the Ergo Pro Low Force Keyboard offer an incredibly light 35 gram activation force. Users may initially find that they are 'bottoming out' their keys but with practice most can learn to adapt to the lighter force required and discontinue downward pressure before the switch hits the bottom of its 3.5 mm stroke range. Once a user adapts they will greatly benefit from the reduction of necessary force, with the potential for a reduction in fatigue and/or pain from heavy keyboard use. Improves Typing Speed and Accuracy - Slightly concave key caps help users remain oriented on the home row, and enhance keying accuracy; tactile feedback when the keystroke is actuated discourages users from pressing a key down more than it needs to be, allowing a faster transition from key to key.
Matias 'Quiet Click' Low Force LINEAR Keyswitches: Custom-engineered by Matias, the durable mechanical keyswitches are quiet enough to use in an office environment, and are almost as quiet as conventional rubber dome keyboards (in some cases - actually quieter). These linear switches offer a 35 gram activation force to reduce the load on the fingers. A unique integrated leaf spring is employed to provide an advanced level of stability to the linear movement. The result is that from start to finish the resistance level remains virtually unchanged.
Tenting and Tilting Options: Three adjustable feet on each side of the keyboard give users the option of tenting the keyboard at a 9° angle or of tilting it at a 4.5° negative tilt, in addition to using it flat. Narrow Housing: At only 14.5' wide, the Ergo Pro Low Force Keyboard presents a very small footprint for an adjustable or separated keyboard. Removeable Palm Supports: Palm supports, covered in breathable fabric, are securely attached with six large Phillips-head screws but can be removed if preferred. Sculpted Key Caps: Slightly concave key caps on the majority of the keys help touch typists remain oriented on the home row, and significantly enhance keying accuracy.
Large Ctrl Key on the Left Module: The large size and smoothly rounded shape make this frequently accessed modifier key especially easy to target, and more comfortable to hold down. A standard-sized Ctrl key is available on the right module. Easy to Reach Navigation and Cursor Keys: Navigation and cursor keys are grouped together, and positioned side-by-side, along the lower right edge of the right-hand module. Embedded Numeric Keypad: Much of the reduced width of a compact keyboard is achieved by eliminating the numeric keypad (usually seen on the right-hand side of standard-sized keyboards). The Ergo Pro keyboard substitutes an embedded numeric keypad on the right-hand module, allowing some keys to function as letters or as a numeric keypad.
This embedded numeric keypad can be toggled on and off by holding down the function (Fn) key and pressing the number 6. Anti-Ghosting Circuitry: Also called 'n-key rollover,' anti-ghosting circuitry allows the keyboard to keep up with even the fastest typists without dropping or adding characters.
Hotkeys for Frequently Used Functions: Dedicated hotkeys for Undo, Cut, Copy and Paste are positioned along the left edge of the keyboard. Laser Etched Keys: Legends are burned into the key caps with a laser, so they will never wear off.
Media Controls: Holding down the function (Fn) key allows access to shortcuts for Volume Up/Down, Mute, Pause/Play, Next Track and Previous Track. Built-in USB 2.0 Hub: Three USB 2.0 ports on the keyboard allow users to plug in additional devices such as flash drives and mice.
Stronglite Ergo Pro
Ergo keyboards split the keys into two sections, and the Ergo Pro does this literally, coming in two separate pieces. It also has legs so you can tent the two sections (make them higher at the center) and add negative tilt, both of which let you use them with your hands in a more natural position. And of course you get those amazing Alps-style clicky keys. The “navigation cluster” has also been rethought.
Instead of leaving the arrow, page up/down and other nav keys in place, making the right side too big, or moving the keys into yet another crazy new spot, the Ergo Pro just shifts the entire block down beside the arrow keys. Result: almost no relearning time, and a compact layout.
Matias Ergo Pro Review
It’s not all good though: there are dedicated copy/cut/paste keys (a waste of keys) and yet you have to press the fn button to use the media keys. Still, I want one, and mostly becasue it looks kinda awesome. Available August for $200.