This is admittedly a lazy post where I show that I haven’t done much research.
Whenever I start searching around online, I find tons of smaller companies selling ergo keyboards or parts for keyboards, but they are always very pricey and don’t match the layout I want. I quickly give up since it can take long to search store-by-store online.
The keyboard of my dreams has:
- All (104) the keys. This means arrow keys and as numpad. I like the layout of my current keyboard (below). I guess this is called a “full keyboard”?
- Mechanical and with plenty of clackedy clack in the keys.
- Corded with USB (I still miss PS/2 :))
- Is curved, similar to this one.
- Has the “Y” key on the left side of the gap! This is my biggest sticking point. I have realized that I type the “Y” key with my left hand 99% of the time and I don’t want to change.
- I am also willing to investigate split design keyboards if the “Y” is on the left and a numpad can exist separately which I could put to the right of my mouse. But still I’d prefer that to be attached.
- I don’t care about RGB or lights or much else. Take it or leave it.
For reference, this is my current keyboard and I actually quite love it. I just wish it was curved.
Everything except the Y key you can get with a Perixx Periboard 535. It uses mechanical Choc switches.
The closest thing I’ve seen to moving keys to the other hand is keyboards with two B keys, so you can type it with either hand. I haven’t seen that for the Y key.
You didn’t specify whether you want row-stagger or column-stagger. Given that you don’t want to change your typing habits, I’m guessing row-stagger is what you’ll prefer. Transitioning to column-stagger would throw out a lot of your muscle memory and require some time to adjust, especially if you’re used to non-standard fingering. Typing Y with the right hand would be a minor change in comparison.