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:

  1. 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”?
  2. Mechanical and with plenty of clackedy clack in the keys.
  3. Corded with USB (I still miss PS/2 :))
  4. Is curved, similar to this one.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

  • Sanctus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    11·
    17 days ago

    The Y key is your breaker. That may force you to design your own as that is a pretty specific requirement not often included.

    Charybdis + A Separate Num Keypad maybe?

    • spacemanspiffy@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      17 days ago

      Thank you! I will take a look. Another reply also suggested making my own and so it could be that that is the way.

  • Grimy@lemmy.world
    7·
    17 days ago

    If you cant find one, making your own keyboard isn’t too difficult. It’s a great hobby project and there’s a lot of ressources online to build one.

    • spacemanspiffy@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      3·
      17 days ago

      You and another have suggested this. It may be the way to go. Any resources you’d recommend to get me started?

      • Grimy@lemmy.world
        3·
        17 days ago

        Hard to say, I would start with a macropad. There are a lot of project out there so you can browse around until you find something you like.

        Here is a recent one: https://hackaday.com/2024/10/21/zero-to-custom-macropad-in-37-easy-steps/

        It requires quite a bit of skills and tools, although jlcpcb can solder on the components for you so you can focus on only designing if you wish.

        I would use Kicad to make the schematic and pcb, and Fusion 360 for any 3d modeling. Fusion has a free non commercial version, you just have to find it. They kind of hide it on their main website.

        I like phils lab on YouTube for pcb design stuff but he isn’t exactly beginner friendly and mainly focuses on audio related things.

  • luckybipedal@lemmy.world
    2·
    15 days ago

    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.