[Macworld]

Post your comments for Freestyle 'split' keyboard debuts for Mac here

[airhead]

I'd take one if it had a numeric keypad on the right side. There is no way I'd buy a 3rd pad with numerics though. Including my wacom that would be too much clutter.

[Speed_Racer]

airhead said:

I'd take one if it had a numeric keypad on the right side. There is no way I'd buy a 3rd pad with numerics though. Including my wacom that would be too much clutter.

I wouldn't put the numeric keypad on the right side anyway. It increases the distance you have to reach with your right hand. I'd rather put it between the halves. Better to have the halves far apart anyway so forearms aren't angled inward.

This looks a lot like the Comfort Keyboard that's been around for a while. I'm really tempted by this, except I'm already spoiled by my Microsoft Natural Pro with its row of multimedia and Internet buttons across the top, which MS software allows me to have different functions in each application I use. Using Intellitype is the only time I can say I like MS software. Unfortunately, not a truly separated design like the Kinesis, although it's split and slightly tented.

[RichardBronosky]

Why on earth do they continue to make "ergonomic" keyboards with that HORRIBLE left hand layout? This is how the left hand keys should be arranged: http://flickr.com/ph...osky/311098279/

[mooncaine]

Good question, Richard. To me, this "Freestyle" split keyboard is not ergonomic enough.
I am using Microsoft ergo keyboards on 2 of my macs [home and office], and they have served me well. No one is more surpised than I -- it's strange that Apple won't even try an ergonomic keyboard, given their penchant for good design. It's even stranger that Microsoft makes the best keyboard for my needs, but hey, there it is. One is wired, the other is wireless. I prefer the wired; the wireless range is, um, about 12 inches.

[anthony11]

Yet another mindless layout with capslock and control swapped from their normal locations. WHEN O WHEN will keyboard manufacturers figure out that a capslock key is not only less important than control, but also that it has no value whatsoever?