{"id":418050,"date":"2022-03-18T16:00:44","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T13:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2022-03-18T16:00:44","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T13:00:44","slug":"the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"#The Ultimate Ergonomic Keyboard \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aedc447e7935\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6aedc447e7935\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#%E2%80%9CThe_Ultimate_Ergonomic_Keyboard_%E2%80%93_Review_Geek%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;The Ultimate Ergonomic Keyboard \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#Heres_What_We_Like\" >Here&#8217;s What We Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#And_What_We_Dont\" >And What We Don&#8217;t<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#What_Is_Ergonomic_Again\" >What Is Ergonomic Again?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#Setting_up_the_Moonlander%E2%80%94I_Cant_Type_on_This_Thing\" >Setting up the Moonlander\u2014I Can\u2019t Type on This Thing!?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#At_Least_a_Week_of_Heavy_Customizations\" >At Least a Week of Heavy Customizations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#Perfect_For_Me_but_Is_It_Perfect_For_You\" >Perfect For Me, but Is It Perfect For You?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#Heres_What_We_Like-2\" >Here\u2019s What We Like<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-ultimate-ergonomic-keyboard-review-geek\/#And_What_We_Dont-2\" >And What We Don&#8217;t<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CThe_Ultimate_Ergonomic_Keyboard_%E2%80%93_Review_Geek%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;The Ultimate Ergonomic Keyboard \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<div class=\"single-review-card\">\n<div class=\"review-card-heading\" style=\"\">\n<div class=\"rating\" style=\"\">Rating:<br \/>\n<strong>10\/10<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong class=\"more-info-hover\">?<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong class=\"rating-info\"><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>1 &#8211; Absolute Hot Garbage<\/li>\n<li>2 &#8211; Sorta Lukewarm Garbage<\/li>\n<li>3 &#8211; Strongly Flawed Design<\/li>\n<li>4 &#8211; Some Pros, Lots Of Cons<\/li>\n<li>5 &#8211; Acceptably Imperfect<\/li>\n<li>6 &#8211; Good Enough to Buy On Sale<\/li>\n<li>7 &#8211; Great, But Not Best-In-Class<\/li>\n<li>8 &#8211; Fantastic, with Some Footnotes<\/li>\n<li>9 &#8211; Shut Up And Take My Money<\/li>\n<li>10 &#8211; Absolute Design Nirvana<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/strong>\n<\/div>\n<p>Price: <strong>$365<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage size-full wp-image-112590\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/a0c362cf.jpg?width=400 400w, https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/a0c362cf.jpg?width=1200 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/a0c362cf.jpg?width=1200\" alt=\"The Moonlander keyboard with an Editor's choice badge\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>I thought I had found the last ergonomic keyboard I\u2019d ever use. But for six months, I\u2019ve exclusively used a wild-looking keyboard that changed my mind. In that time, the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zsa.io\/moonlander\">Moonlander Mark I<\/a> stole the ergonomic crown. It\u2019s not perfect or even for everyone, but it could be everything you need it to be.<\/p>\n<div class=\"review-card-body-inline\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"pros\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heres_What_We_Like\"><\/span>Here&#8217;s What We Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Infinitely customizable<\/li>\n<li>Split design makes for better ergonomics<\/li>\n<li>Thumb cluster keys are very useful<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cons\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_What_We_Dont\"><\/span>And What We Don&#8217;t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Expensive<\/li>\n<li>High learning curve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>One look at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zsa.io\/moonlander\/buy\/\">ZSA\u2019s Moonlander<\/a>, and you\u2019ll know im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely that it\u2019s different from any keyboard you\u2019ve likely used before. It ticks off quite a few boxes: ergonomic, split, columnar staggered layout (the keys are shifted for easier reach), mechanical, RGB, and more. But it isn\u2019t any one of these \u201ccheckboxes\u201d that makes the Moonlander special\u2014it\u2019s the combination of all. It also means that, by necessity, deciding to use it means accepting a large adjustment to how you type.<\/p>\n<p>But if you\u2019re willing to stick with it, and fine-tune the Moonlander to match your specific needs, it will eventually become the ultimate keyboard made just for you. And bonus points, if you don\u2019t like other people using your keyboard you won\u2019t have to worry about that ever again.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Ergonomic_Again\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_0\">What Is Ergonomic Again?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-112583 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/bc86e77d.jpg\" alt=\"A Moonlander keyboard with a bullet journal between the halves\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-credittext=\"Josh Hendrickson\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Before we fully get into the Moonlander, it\u2019s worth getting into what makes an ergonomic keyboard, well, ergonomic, I should note that it\u2019s not a term that\u2019s entirely universally agreed upon. You\u2019ll find \u201cergonomic\u201d keyboards of different sizes, shapes, and features, sometimes even from the same <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Microsoft-Ergonomic-Keyboard-Business-5KV-00001\/dp\/B00CYX26BC?tag=reviewgeek-20\">keyboard<\/a> <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Microsoft-Natural-Ergonomic-Keyboard-4000\/dp\/B000A6PPOK?tag=reviewgeek-20\">manufacturer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>But while the features needed to achieve ergonomic typing are up for debate, the goal is pretty straightforward. Typical keyboards are straightforward affairs that keep your hands close together, causing scrunch on the shoulders, and worse yet often encourage angling your palms and fingers upwards, pinching the wrists. Those are the things ergonomic keyboards try to avoid, by encouraging spreading your hands further apart and tilting them to more natural positions.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, I look for a few things in an ergonomic keyboard. It should have either a completely flat layout, or, better yet, a negative tilt. Most keyboards have taller feet at the far side of the unit, closer to the number row and function keys; that leads to wrist pinching. A flat keyboard can help avoid that, but the ideal situation is a lift as close to your wrists as possible so your hands angle more downward.<\/p>\n<p>An ergonomic keyboard should also split at least some to spread your hands further apart. Bonus points if it tents or curves the keys so give you a \u201cholding a bubble\u201d like hand posture. To help reinforce holding your hands in this \u201cbubble\u201d position, the keyboard should either forgo a wrist wrest or place it so that it\u2019s higher than the keys.<\/p>\n<p>With its completely split design, columnar layout, removable wrist rests, and optional tenting legs, the Moonlander offers all of that. But it\u2019s up to you to set it up that way. If you want you can leave it a completely flat affair and not split at all. But you\u2019d be missing out on some of the best features of the Moonlander\u2014 its customizability. But more on that later.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Setting_up_the_Moonlander%E2%80%94I_Cant_Type_on_This_Thing\"><\/span>Setting up the Moonlander\u2014I Can\u2019t Type on This Thing!?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-112584\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/94cc09d5.jpg\" alt=\"A Moonlander keyboard on a felt desk mat\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When you order a Moonlander keyboard from ZSA, you have to make several choices. The keyboard comes in two colors, Moonlit (white) or Dark Matter (black). I went with Dark Matter, and I\u2019d argue it\u2019s the better choice. Most pictures I\u2019ve seen with the Moonlit color look grimy after some use.<\/p>\n<p>Next, you\u2019ll choose whether you want blank keycaps or keycaps with printed letters (I\u2019d recommend the latter), and then your mechanical keyboard switches. I went with\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/107096\/the-best-mechanical-switches\/\">Kailh Silvers for their linear feel, but ZSA also sent\u00a0Kailh Coppers switches for my review to test the hot swapping feature.<\/p>\n<p>Which switches you choose comes down to preference, but you have plenty of options. In fact, ZSA offers 12 options, along with info about each to help guide you to the right switch for you. Your keyboard will arrive with the switches and keycaps preinstalled, along with a handy tool to remove them in case you want to swap them out later. It\u2019s a pretty painless process, and likely something you won\u2019t do often, especially if you pick the right switch on the first go.<\/p>\n<p>The package also comes with a nearly seven-foot detachable USB-C to USB-C cord, a USB-C to USB-A dongle (in case your device doesn\u2019t have USB-C ports), a two-foot TRRS (tip-ring-ring-sleeve) cable with a \u201cheadphone\u201d style jack on either end (used to connect the two halves of the keyboard together), the keycap and switch removal tool, extra keycaps (including a J and F without the tactile bump), and a carrying case. The neoprene carrying case is actually very nice, but I don\u2019t see myself taking the Moonlander with me. It\u2019s a little too bulky and requires a little too much setup for a portable keyboard.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-112585 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/31408be8.jpg\" alt=\"The left half of the Moonlander keyboard with several keys removed\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-credittext=\"Josh Hendrickson\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Once I got the Moodlander hooked up to my PC, I disconnected my old keyboard, sat down to type my first Slack Message, and got \u2026 very confused. Even when you choose printed keycaps, as I have, you\u2019ll find lots of black keys. And because of its non-traditional layout, some keys you\u2019re used to aren\u2019t quite where you expect them.<\/p>\n<p>While the shift key is to the left of the Z key and the capslock key is to the left of the A key by default, the Enter key is not to the right of the L key, for instance. By default, it\u2019s one of the thumb cluster keys under your right thumb, along with left alt (yes left), tab, and escape.\u00a0 And space is on the left thumb cluster, along with backspace, the application key, and the Windows key (unless you\u2019re on a Mac, in which case you\u2019ll get the equivalent keys).<\/p>\n<p>It was disorientating at first, not knowing offhand where the escape key was, or the tab key. And I quickly discovered that it\u2019s my habit to hit the spacebar with my right thumb, not my left. So I constantly hit the enter key instead of the space key, sending messages before I finished typing. That might sound awful, but the good news is, this keyboard is incredibly customizable both on a software and hardware level.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"At_Least_a_Week_of_Heavy_Customizations\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_2\">At Least a Week of Heavy Customizations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-112581\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/6744ab52.jpg\" alt=\"An online configuration of a keyboard\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">The default layout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Out of the box, I had a lot more difficulty typing on the Moonlander than I anticipated. I\u2019m used to ergonomic keyboards, so I thought it\u2019d be a minor adjustment period, but this is different. Keys aren\u2019t where I expected them to be, and sometimes they\u2019re unmarked. Unknown habits, like my tendency to hit the spacebar with my right thumb, caused me issues. And some of the keys I needed most, like tilde (~) and plus (+) were nowhere to be found.<\/p>\n<p>But that\u2019s ok, you can change what every key on the Moonlander does. Do you prefer an alternative layout, like Dvorak or Colemak? You can reconfigure for that. With an online configuration called <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/configure.zsa.io\/\">Oryx<\/a> and a software installer called <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zsa.io\/wally\/\">Wally<\/a> (available for Windows, Linux, and macOS), you can change what every key does, in multiple ways.<\/p>\n<p>You can, of course, change what letter fires when pushed, or punctuation, or modifiers like shift and ctrl. But if you want, you can go further than that. You can set one option for tapping a key, another option for holding a key, a third for double-tapping a key, and a fourth for tapping and then holding a key. When I hold my Z key, for instance, it acts as a ctrl key. All the options means you can get more out of fewer keys. You could have one key set to type ( on tap, [ on press and hold, and { on double tap, for instance.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-112586\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/4c2484f2.jpg\" alt=\"The Moonlander keyboard with every key removed\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But it doesn\u2019t just have to be letters and symbols either, you can also create macros that fire from any of the four options above. While I don\u2019t have any use for a Hype (Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Win\/Cmd) or Meh key (Alt+Ctrl+Shift) the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/configure.zsa.io\/moonlander\/layouts\/default\/latest\/0\">default configuration<\/a> provides, I do use copy and paste all the time. So the key to the right of my G key acts as copy, and the key to the left of my H key acts as paste. I also have a dedicated key for muting and unmuting Google Meet calls, and another for unlocking 1Password.<\/p>\n<p>Obviously, one of the first things I did was switch the backspace and enter keys to match my habits, and for more familiarity, I moved the ` and ~ key to a more familiar location. And the nice thing is, it\u2019s easy to move around the keycaps so those two are still marked correctly. Oddly by default, the key with the ~ keycap doesn\u2019t do that but instead works as a layer button. But layers are a useful feature.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-112582 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/ce7e8656.jpg\" alt=\"An online keyboard configuration with modified keys\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-credittext=\"Josh Hendrickson\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">My current layout <span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Most keyboards are once-and-done affairs: all the keys are what they are, even if you can reprogram them that\u2019s all they do. But the Moonlander supports layers. \u201cLayer 0\u201d is where I\u2019m usually at, with all my letters, numbers, and symbols along with a few macros at easy reach. But if I hold a layer button, it changes what those keys actually do.<\/p>\n<p>In \u201cLayer 1\u201d for instance, the right half of the keyboard becomes a traditional numpad, with access to 1-9 keys along with other options you\u2019d typically find on a numpad. And the fact that the Moonlander is an RGB keyboard comes in handy here, because you can program those lights to specific keys on specific layers. I have the \u201cnumpad keys\u201d set to light up green so I can find them easily. \u201cLayer 2\u201d grants me access to media controls, like pause, skip, and volume controls. You can share your layouts (<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/configure.zsa.io\/moonlander\/layouts\/RXmJW\/latest\/0\">here\u2019s mine<\/a>), or borrow others for a good starting point too if you want an easier start.<\/p>\n<p>The customization doesn\u2019t just end at software: you can change the hardware too. Re-arranging the keycaps is one easy step you can take, but the attached side legs and wrist mounts are removable, too. And over on ZSA\u2019s site, the company has a section for fan-made\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zsa.io\/moonlander\/printables\">3D-printing files<\/a> to further change up your keyboard.<\/p>\n<p>I 3D printed a couple of wedges that I can screw to the keyboard to give the Moonlander a more ergonomic tilt. All in all, after a week of fiddling and trying things I landed on the setup that\u2019s perfect for me. I\u2019ve used the Moonlander exclusively for months and wrote nearly every article (including this review) using the keyboard in that time.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Perfect_For_Me_but_Is_It_Perfect_For_You\"><\/span>Perfect For Me, but Is It Perfect For You?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-112587 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1be940ae.jpg\" alt=\"A Moonlander keyboard with a mouse between the two halves\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-credittext=\"Josh Hendrickson\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">You could put your mouse in the middle for maximum ergonomics <span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>So after all the customizations, the relearning to type, and the work involved, is this keyboard worth it? If you asked anyone else who tried to use my keyboard out of the blue, probably not. No one else can use it. But I consider that a feature, not a bug! And as for me, I love the Moonlander Mark I. With admittedly some effort, it\u2019s now the perfect keyboard for me.<\/p>\n<p>Along the way, I\u2019ve discovered some side benefits I hadn\u2019t expected. With the truly split nature of the keyboard, I can place my bullet journal between my keyboard halves for easy access. My typing speed has actually increased over time, thanks to some of my most commonly used keys now getting a better location under my thumbs, or as a convenient macro.<\/p>\n<p>I will admit it\u2019s not technically a \u201cperfect\u201d keyboard, per se. At $365, it\u2019s very expensive. I think that expense is justified for anyone who spends eight hours a day or more typing. Just like it\u2019s not unreasonable to spend $300 or more on the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/109742\/the-best-ergonomic-office-chairs\/\">office chair you sit on all day, it\u2019s not unreasonable to spend extra on the keyboard you bang your fingers at all day.<\/p>\n<p>If your butt deserves the pampering of a good chair, your fingers deserve the caress of a good keyboard. If you code, write, or for any reason at all type for a living, you\u2019ll probably touch your keyboard more than anything else in your life, including your spouse, children, or pets. Make it a great keyboard, and without a doubt, the Moonlander is a great keyboard.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-94548 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/08\/6fd0a40b.png\" alt=\"A laptop running an Xbox game\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-credittext=\"Josh Hendrickson\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\">Josh Hendrickson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Likewise, the learning curve is high. ZSA does try to help with that with <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCiNrLjjSUkby_SfryizIeBQ\/videos\">tutorials<\/a> and an <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/configure.zsa.io\/train\">interactive version of Oryx<\/a> where you can practice typing in your current configuration. But to be honest, I didn\u2019t even need those, I adapted by just using the Moonlander every day. And I do wish it came with more leg options to get a better tilt. The default leg and tilt of the thumb cluster didn\u2019t work for me to get an ergonomic layout. But I appreciate ZSA\u2019s willingness to point to good solutions.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s impossible to call the Moonlander the perfect keyboard for everybody. If you don\u2019t type for eight hours a day, it may be too expensive. And if you don\u2019t have the patience to adapt to a radically different keyboard shape, you\u2019re in for a rough ride. But I know it\u2019s the perfect keyboard for me. And if you\u2019re willing to take the leap, it could be the perfect keyboard for you. With enough time and adjustments, at least. Every great relationship requires some work. And when I try to type on any other keyboard now, even my ergonomic options, it just isn\u2019t the same. This is my favorite keyboard now: and any other keyboard manufacturer has a high bar to clear to change my mind.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single-review-card border\">\n<div class=\"review-card-heading\">\nRating: <strong>10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Price: <strong>$365<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"review-card-body\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"pros\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Heres_What_We_Like-2\"><\/span>Here\u2019s What We Like<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Infinitely customizable<\/li>\n<li>Split design makes for better ergonomics<\/li>\n<li>Thumb cluster keys are very useful<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"cons\">\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_What_We_Dont-2\"><\/span>And What We Don&#8217;t<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Expensive<\/li>\n<li>High learning curve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nsetTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('init', '1137093656460433');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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