Within the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I confronted a dilemma that could be acquainted to many laptop customers: My wrists had been killing me. I used to be pulling eight-hour shifts at work, then taking part in extra video games on PC than ever on the identical setup to remain related to mates throughout a bleak time. I hadn’t skilled wrist ache from typing earlier than, but it surely was so unhealthy that I couldn’t go on with out discovering a extra snug various that had at the very least a number of the bells and whistles I anticipated from a contemporary gaming keyboard.
I finally discovered an answer that met my standards for a gaming keyboard in addition to an ergonomic one, a mix of wants that I supposed would by no means intersect — at an inexpensive value, at the very least. I discovered the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB, and whereas $199.99 may not be “affordable” to some, it’s extra reasonably priced than different break up keyboards which have comparable options.
The principle characteristic that distinguishes the Kinesis from most different keyboards is that it’s break up into two elements, with every chunk related by a cable. In case you had been questioning, sure, there’s a studying curve to typing on this sort of keyboard. How robust it’ll be will rely on what your typing is like on a conventional keyboard. Should you use the keyboard’s dwelling rows, such as you may’ve discovered in laptop class as a child, it most likely gained’t take you lengthy to acclimate, however should you hunt and peck for keys, the break up format could also be extra of a problem.
Because the Freestyle Edge RGB is break up, you possibly can place every half precisely the way you need so long as the 2 sides don’t stretch past the cable’s 20-inch size. So, as an alternative of bending my wrists outward to kind on standard layouts, my arms and wrists may be extra relaxed, typing at a place and angle that feels extra pure. On my desk, the keyboard halves barely contact one another. It’s bliss. Should you play video games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, you possibly can even transfer both half out of the way in which to make room in your desk for a HOTAS controller.
Picture: Kinesis
Regardless of its appears to be like, the Freestyle Edge RGB is just like different gaming keyboards. It has mechanical keys with the choice to pick out Cherry MX Blue (clicky), Pink (linear), Silver (quick linear), or Brown (tactile) switches in case you have got a desire, and every secret is backlit with RGB LEDs that may be personalized in Kinesis’ SmartSet app. This mannequin additionally contains removable palm rests that carry your wrists up for an excellent cozier typing expertise.
That’s all nice, however this keyboard is a star as a result of it has N-key rollover (NKRO), a characteristic that enables the consumer to press any variety of keys without delay. I came upon the arduous approach that my earlier break up keyboard didn’t help it throughout the heyday of Halo Infinite’s very enjoyable on-line multiplayer; I couldn’t concurrently maintain down shift to dash, hit area to leap, maintain W to maneuver ahead, and toss a grenade with the G key. NKRO is a fundamental gaming characteristic in lots of reasonably priced gaming keyboards, however you’ve obtained to go looking somewhat more durable for it in ergonomic fashions. Fortunately, it’s accessible with the Freestyle Edge RGB, which is simply as responsive and succesful as the following gaming keyboard, prepared for any sequence of key presses.
This Kinesis keyboard helps an add-on ergonomic characteristic that leaves different gaming keyboards within the mud. The $29.99 Raise Package is available in two items, every snapping onto the underside of the Freestyle Edge RGB to offer some carry, so your wrists may be opened (oriented extra such as you’re entering into for a handshake as an alternative of laying flat). These let the keyboard halves be tented independently of one another at a number of angles. The bottom 5- and 10-degree angle choices tilt either side upward barely, whereas the 15-degree angle supplies a steeper pitch that will look unusual, however in my expertise, shortly felt regular to kind on.
One small grievance I’ve with the Freestyle Edge RGB is that, in comparison with pricier choices just like the ErgoDox EZ and the Matias Ergo Professional, it doesn’t help sloping, which might elevate your palms in order that they’re increased than your fingers. It will have been ultimate if the add-on V3 Professional Lifters equipment enabled this. Nonetheless, for the cash, the Freestyle Edge RGB presents simply sufficient for full- or part-time players and desk staff who need to catch a break from wrist ache.