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Fixed-Split Keyboards are the most commonly seen by most and are typically the least expensive of the split keyboards. They have a set horizontal split angle and possibly a slight center raise or "tenting" of the left and right hand key segments.
Acer America Corporation
2641 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134
(800) SEE-ACER or (408) 432-6200, Fax (408) 922-2967
Fixed Split Keyboards
Acer Future Keyboard
- PC Compatible
- List price is around $100
- Available through resellers and computer superstores
Acer Future keyboard, with its enhances, sleekly curved style, is built around unique, ergonomic design. This model successfully maximizes comfort for keyboarding by keeping your hands within a comfortable zone of movement.
The Future keyboard splits into two keying fields to form a roughly triangular shape. A touch pad is embedded in the central area with four arrow keys surrounding it. The keys are laid out in a sensible fashion. (From user's manual)
Comments
Palm rests are rounded plastic. Touch pad is centered between left and right key sections and has cursor keys ringing the touch pad. The alphanumeric keys appear to be flat or maybe a slight negative tilt to them. It does not click like the Lexmark (harder and audible) . . . but more like I remember the Pace keyboard does. More like a light "clicky feel" for pretty good tactile feedback - not too mushy . . . (my opinion only, of course). Also, the wrist/palm rests look they are a rubberized material, but they are just a different color of the same old plastic (ala Microsoft).
I understand it sells for around $100-125 and looks like it would be a fair competitor to the MS Natural keyboard. -KSW-
(Information last checked: Dec'97)
Adesso, Inc.
5110 West Goldleaf Circle, Suite 90
Los Angeles, CA 90056
(213) 294-4300, Fax (213) 294-7451
Tru-Form
- Price: Under $100
- Availability: At computer stores
- Compatibility: Mac
Adesso's Tru-Form keyboard for Macs is modeled closely after the MS Natural and provides a low-cost option for Mac users without the need for an adapter. Some versions include a built-in pointing device between the split key sections.
Cirque Corporation
Address: 433 West Lawndale Drive, Salt Lake City UT 84115
Phone: 801-467-1100
Fax: 801-467-0208
BBS: 801-467-0128
WWW: http://www.cirque.com
Cirque Wave Keyboard
- Price: $99
- Availability: Computer stores
- Compatibility: PC
Experience unrivaled comfort in your home or office with this split-key keyboard with built-in wristrest. These features, combined with adjustable "pop-out" legs, extra backspace and tab keys, and quiet feedback make the Cirque GlidePoint WaveKeyboard one of the most natural input devices you will ever use!
Windows 95 keys provide built-in shortcuts for Microsoft's new operating system! The only "natural" keyboard featuring the award-winning GlidePoint touchpad! Single-click, double-click, drag and highlight functions of primary mouse button can be activated by tapping on the surface of the pad. Two mechanical buttons are also available.
Comments
Cirque's Wave keyboard is modeled closely after the MS Natural with the added advantage of a built-in pointing device (GlidePoint) to eliminate the long reach beyond the numeric keypad for an external mouse.
Darwin Keyboards
San Francisco, CA
(415) 621-1151, Fax: (415) 621-1008
SmartBoardSmartBoard
- Compatibility: PC
- Estimated Price: $99.95
- Availability: Direct
SmartBoard is the next evolution in keyboard design! If you are looking for a "split" keyboard, the SmartBoard is the keyboard for you. We spent over 4 years perfecting the SmartBoard's design (we got 2 patents in the process), and we are proud to present it to you!
What's so different about SmartBoard? Three things:
First, the patented Darwin key layout makes typing easier and faster. To see how our layout works, look down at your hands. Now, open and close your fingers. See how they fan out? The SmartBoard's keys fan out in the same way so they match the natural movements of your fingers. Plus, the SmartBoard has slightly larger keys for your outside fingers. Never mistype all those letters that can be hard to find (like "Q", "W", "P", "O", "Z", etc.)! Sound complicated? It's not. No retraining. No relearning. Just easier, faster, more comfortable typing!
Second, the SmartBoard is much more compact than the competition - it's 20% smaller! Our customers complained that the Microsoft "split" keyboard took up too much desk space. They also said they were tired of the extra-long reach to the mouse caused by the Microsoft keyboard. So, we listened, and made the SmartBoard 20% smaller. The SmartBoard leaves plenty of room on your desk, and it fits easily in a keyboard drawer!
Third, the SmartBoard's keys have a great "feel." Firm touch, nice feedback - the high quality that you deserve. If you care about the quality of your keyboard (and we know you do), you'll love the feel of the SmartBoard.
ErgonomiXX, Inc.
2813 University Blvd., West Kensington, MD 20895
(301) 933-3747, Fax: (301) 933-1490
The MyKey
- PC Compatible (Mac with adapter)
- List price is $275
- Available through direct sales from webpage, (may also be in some CompUSA stores, stock # 289-554)
MyKey is Biometric with a Center-Peak and a V-Shape. This reduces the stress of inward hand-rotation and minimizes outward hand-twisting. Built-in Palm Rests support your hands and arms during work and breaks. Front and Rear Elevators can position so that your hands and wrists can remain vertically-neutral and not be extended upward or flexed downward. Circular Function Key Layout is easy to remember because F1 thru F12 match the hours on a clockface. Your left hand can easily access the function and control keys in combination. Large Arrow Keys within the clockface are ideal for moving the cursor up or down and side to side. In combination with the numeric keypad, spreadsheet work is fast and simple. With a standard QWERTY Key Layout, MyKey can be used immediately, and with virtually no retraining time or expense.
Fountain Hills Systems
15022 North 75th St., Scottsdale, AZ 85260-2476
602-596-8633
Fountain Hills FH-101
- PC Compatible
- List price - Checking on
- Available - Checking on
The Fountain Hills keyboard is set at a 20 degree fixed angle for each hand. The keyboard is still flat (i.e.: not higher in the middle) and has no adjustments.
Generic Split Keyboard
Apparently, this keyboard is manufactured by Nan Tan Computer in Taipei, Taiwan. I've found this keyboard at a variety of US computer stores, under a variety of names. It's also carried by Dalco, a major US mail-order house.
The main feature of this keyboard is its price; it's the cheapest split keyboard on the market. The keyswitches are fairly light and clicky. The split angle is fixed, and the keyboard is flat. It's only a moderate improvement over an ordinary keyboard, but the price is right. -DSW-
Marquardt Switches Inc.
2711 Route 20 East Cazenovia, NY 13035
(315) 655-8050, Fax: (315) 655-8042
MiniErgo
- PC Compatible
- List price is $179 for MiniErgo, $125 for optional numeric keypad
- Available through specialized ergonomic catalogs (AliMed at 800-225-2610, last I looked) and keyboard resellers
Marketing information on the keyboard states:
MiniErgo keyboard is angled to position the hands and arms correctly, reducing hand deviation and wrist bending. Gently sloping V-configuration allows a typist's hands to be in a comfortable, neutral position. MiniErgo keyboard has an embedded numeric keypad. The optional numeric keypad can be positioned to the right or left of the the keyboard and easily plugs in with the included cable.
Comments
The MiniErgo is a split keyboard with an embedded numeric keypad. An optional, separate numeric keypad is also available. The split design and compactness of the keyboard makes it attractive to improve wrist posture and bring the mouse in closer. The forward slant angle of the keyboard may be of some concern with the current trend of keeping the key surfaces as flat as possible.
Microsoft Natural Keyboard
- PC Compatible
- List price is $99.95, and often discounted
- Available through distributors and retail
Microsoft's entry into the alternative keyboard market has strived to change the average computer user's view of what a keyboard should look like. According to the Washington Post (Dec 24, 1996) they have accomplished a 61% share of the "ergonomic keyboard" market, with generic "home brands" making up an additional 24%. Many of the other low-end keyboards have followed closely on their design lead (e.g. Cirque Wave and Addesso Tru-Form). Many users have found the Natural to fit their need for an alternative keyboard, while others find its additional 2-3 inches of width too much of a reach for operating the mouse. -KSW-
Some marketing information includes the following:
The Microsoft Natural Keyboard is responsibly designed for maximum comfort. Its split-key, sloped keyboard promotes a natural wrist posture. A built-in palm rest provides a comfortable resting place for hands while not typing. The keys have a soft, tactile action and standard Qwerty key layout for adapting to the split keyboard quickly.
The Natural has a forward tilt, which means it slopes gently toward the typist. Use the Wrist Leveler, as appropriate, to help you keep your wrists straight as you type.
Use the numeric keypad like a mouse to navigate the pointer on your screen. Turn the feature on through IntelliType Manager which provides software adjustability keyboard and pointer control functions.
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite is the second in a series of ergonomically designed keyboards from Microsoft. Its split, gently sloped design allows you to place your hands, wrists and forearms in a natural position for greater comfort while typing. With its improved space-saving design, the new keyboard takes up less room on your desktop and fits easily into keyboard trays.
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