I am a software engineer and I love typing. Therefore, I type for hours programming, writing blog posts, and recording video tutorials. Hence, a keyboard that I can put my hands on for hours is important. Until using one or having pain in your wrists and shoulders, you don't really realize how much you need a split keyboard. In fact, in an era like this, when many people have to type because of our new digital lifestyle, we don't have enough split keyboard popularity among users. A split design must be the most basic ergonomic requirement for a keyboard. So let me talk about the pros here:
PROS:
1. The split design really works. It also improved my typing accuracy. I think it is because I am now using my both hands properly.
2. The keyboard is built well. You can feel the design quality. BUT, I would still like it to have a metal top. Big deal? Not really. It is just my personal liking when it comes to premium and expensive keyboards.
3. A great font that looks professional for non-gamers.
4. The most powerful feature I would say, besides being a split design, is its macro capabilities. You can, without using a software, set macros easily on the fly using the onboard programming functionality. You can use it like MacBook Pros' touch bar. You don't have to use the extra macro keys for specific macros for your entire life. Just quickly re-set them with new macros as you need.
5. You can also remap keys easily, but I don't really use it that much. But it is a plus for many who needs something like that.
6. It works for Mac and Windows equally good. The application is in the memory of the keyboard so you can take all of your settings with you wherever you go. This is superb!
7. This keyboard has Mechanical Switches. To me, once you are used to mechanical keys, there is no way back to mushy membrane keyboards. The tactility and the feedback of the mechanical keyboards are so satisfying. Also, I am so used to Cherry MX Brown switches and its 4mm travel distance, I just cannot use any other brand or switch type, especially those switches that have 3.5mm or less travel distance. The keys are perfect for me for that reason.
CONS:
1. Expensive and the extra parts are not coming with the keyboard. You have to buy them separately. Hence, they are added to the base price.
2. There is a metallic echo sound coming from the right part of the keyboard when you press certain keys. I am getting used to that though but still do not like it.
3. I do have astigmatism and the color of the backlit, which is blue, is horrible to my eyes. I see the light blurry and it does not help me at all see the keys better. In fact, it even weakens my ability to read the key letters.
4. I would like to have it with a metallic top, as it is a norm these days for the keyboards that are this much expensive.
5. The software opens up a little late. If you don't configure your keyboard with the software all the time, it might be okay for you, which is personally okay for me. But, for some people, I am sure it will be annoying.
This may look like a traditional keyboard but certainly not. You are going to have to learn it but once you learn to be comfortable with it, you will notice the improvement in your typing as well as your health. In fact, this keyboard made me addicted to macro keys and now I am looking for another keypad (including Elgato, which is really expensive) to use more macros in my daily programming workflow. I am tired of pressing multiple keys at once to do something or typing a lot to write repetitive commands. I am still in search but would either look for something that has mechanical switches or a keypad that is okay not to have mechanical switches as long as it is similar to Elgato Streamer Deck.
This is the quietest Cherry MX brown keyboard I've ever owned. I oring'd it anyway (with some cheap clear 0.2mm travel reduction orings from amazon), and now it's about as quiet as the Microsoft 4000 ergo membrane keyboard, which was my previous ergo keyboard. The ergonomics of keyboard are much better given the split, and the mechanical switches are a joy to type on. The programming of the keyboard is super convenient, it's nice to change the programming on the keyboard and not worry about having to install drivers, control panels, and whatever else keyboard manufacturers have dreamed up over the years. Works great on my Mac and my Windows 10 machine. Since a lot of the keycaps were identical, i was able to swap the default order in programming of home/end/pgup/pgdown along the right side to home/pgup/pgdown/end which I prefer, and then just moved the keycaps...it's like it was correct all along.
I was initially skeptical about the tenting attachment, but it works really well. A little disappointing that a bit of plastic is $20 and not part of the keyboard by default, but it works really well at least.
6 key rollover default works really well (again a substantial upgrade from the MS4000's 3ish key rollover), and N-Key rollover seems to work on macOS also, which is surprising, not a lot of keyboards do NKRO on macOS.
All in all, probably the best keyboard I've ever used (I've used most OE keyboards from Dell, HP, Apple, etc and a few mechanical keyboards over the years (MX brown/red/blue)) but never an ergonomic mechanical keyboard (which is why I still kept using the MS4000 despite it feeling like typing on a mushy sandwich)...freestyle edge is glorious.
I've not really used it much for gaming, since I have had a 60% mini MX brown keyboard on my gaming rig already...but this is good enough I might buy one for it too, because before I got this keyboard, I considered that mechanical keyboard solid feeling (it has a solid aluminum back plate)...but the freestyle edge makes it seem positively imprecise/limp in comparison.
-Dave
I've had Kinesis keyboards for many many years. I recently had to buy a new one because my last freestyle had some buttons that were dying. The same thing happened with my previous one. I'm hoping with the Cherry keys this won't have the same problem. I love the feel of the keyboard. I'm a touch typist, writer and programmer, and the tactile feel of the keys is so much smoother than any keyboard I've had. It's really the only split keyboard that works for me. My favorite feature on all Kinesis Keyboards is the keys to the left; I use the copy and paste all the time. This version has them programmable so really I can put anything there. I've read reviews about the delete key being moved and it is a bit small, the previous keyboard had a large one I could hit easily, but with the programmable keys I can make any of them a delete key so I'm good.
This is a beautiful keyboard. The cherry keys are excellent and the design makes it easy to blow hair, dust and hand-jam out from under the keys. I bought the tenting kit and would recommend it. The tent kit is not absolutely necessary but it enhances the comfort of the split design. The split design definitely helped with shoulder tension and back issues for me. Programming the keyboard was implemented perfectly. It can act as a USB drive, and on that USB drive there is a program that you can use to program the keyboard. If you're doing something simple, you can also just hit a few buttons and program it manually. Once programmed the keyboard maintains that programming even if you plug it into another computer. The Corsair k95 keyboard that I have does not behave like this. It depends on a program running in the tray for any programmed macros to work. When you lock the computer, the programming reverts to the default and you lose any custom keys, which is annoying if you remap the ctrl, alt, and caps lock keys.
This is a gaming keyboard so I can't blame Kinesis for what turned out to be a significant problem for me. The condensed design is a nightmare if you're coding. I thought I'd be able to learn the new placement of all the keys but I found once my hand left the home row, and it was floating around hoping to hit the delete, home, page up, or any of the arrow keys, I would be lucky to hit it half the time. Don't underestimate the necessity of space around the inverted-T arrow keys and the space around the Pg up/down, Home/End and Ins/Del on a normal keyboard. The split design exacerbates the issue unless you never, ever change the position or distance between the keyboad halves even a tiny bit. My muscle memory just never had a base to lock in on so I would fumble around looking for keys. The lack of a ten-key number pad was far less of a problem than having the arrow keys in the middle of a sea of other keys. Trying to find the home row afterwards was also pretty hit-or-miss so I would fumble around twice any time my finger came off the J key. It wound up being so frustrating I gave up and went back to the standard layout keyboard. If they ever come out with a full size split keyboard I'll give it a try, but this style sadly does not work for me. It really is a beautiful keyboard though. :'(
I always thought a split keyboard might help me with my wrist pain. I'm happy I finally decided to get one.
My wrists no long sit at a strange angle that causes pain. I can place them exactly where I want them to keep my wrists straight and at the perfect angle. It also helps my back posture because my shoulders are no longer angled in. They point straight out. I'm looking forward to trying the tenting feet.
I also love the layout of this keyboard. It's basically a TKL board with some additional keys, but at an even smaller footprint.
The software stays on the keyboard, so you don't have to install it on each of your devices. It's full of features for rebinding keys and creating macros and such. It does exactly what I need it to.
The switches on this board are nice quality. The cherry mx blues feel great. They are responsive along with the stabilizers on the larger keys. I couldn't be happier with the feel of the switches.
The keyboard can store multiple layouts on it and has support for a function layer if you want to keep your hands on the home row most of the time.
I would definitely recommend this keyboard.
Feature Product
- Move the right half out of the way and bring your mouse in close for one-handed play to maximize comfort, control, and performance. Separate the modules to shoulder-width for an ergonomic typing posture.
- Genuine Cherry MX Blue Mechanical Switches (click)
- Fully Programmable with the Smart Set Programming Engine: 9 Custom Layouts with Dual Layers, Powerful Macros, Quick Remaps, 8 Game Keys, & No-Install Programming App for Windows & Mac
- Adjustable Blue Backlighting: 9 Brightness Levels and Breathe Mode for soothing pulses of light
- Detachable Palm Supports, Braided Cables, 4MB Onboard Memory, NKRO, 1MS Response Time & Much More
Description
The Freestyle Edge is the first split keyboard designed specifically for gaming. It was engineered with input from hardcore gamers to meet the strictest standards for quality and design. An adjustable 20" braided cable links the key modules to give you unparalleled freedom to customize your rig. There is no wrong way to set up the Freestyle Edge, just dial in your favorite configuration for the ultimate desktop freedom. The Edge was designed to maximize your comfort, control, and performance.
I just got this today. It feels remarkably good to work on.
This Keyboard actually looks like it belongs with the rest of my computer equipment! (The Freestyle2 Blue was great but it just looked way too dated with the rest of my stuff.)
The quality of this keyboard is very apparent. The keys feel excellent and the backlighting means I can take down the silly book light I used to use with the Freestyle2 to see the keys in the dark.
I have no doubt that this will be the best keyboard I've ever owned. I'll be sure to update this if that changes.
Also, the special key has a "Windows" logo on it (I run Linux and Mac and that is a trivial detail for me. But, for anyone else who gets nutty over details like that you should know it's there).
--- Edit
If you're used to the position of the command key the Freestyle2 you'll need to remap the key (very easy process).
By the time you get the wrist pads and the tent this keyboard get even pricier. But in the end if you have shoulder pain from other keyboards (or are a hardcore gamer) this is worth every penny spent.
I can't say that this is the best keyboard on the market. I can only say that this is the best keyboard I have purchased. At about $180 it is overpriced, but I'm not sending it back. It is the most expensive keyboard that I've purchased, but only because I have never brought myself to the point of actually going out and paying 10^2 or more dollars for a keyboard.
Having the ability to split the keyboard apart for the size of one's touch typing hands and shoulders is the most important part of this keyboard. But, also, the Brown Cherry MX switches are quite nice to type with too. Yet, because Kinesis has chosen to make the tenting an extra purchase, this keyboard lacks an important ergonomic feature. I bet it would be better for one's hands to be able to tent at a high angle.
The keyboard's macros are may be programed in a host of ways. I've used the built in GUI for doing so. That GUI only works on Mac and Windows, but with a lot of reading it could be figured out how to program the ASCII text files to keep track on the nine possible layouts. Using this keyboard, one can try to figure out how to get out of the Apple Mac OS weirdness and keep layouts for each of the types of systems you might work on.
I chose to map Mac OS version of Copy, Paste, Cut, and Bold to the circle macro keys on the left. I'll likely also do so for Pop!_OS just to have a consistent layout when switching between Linux and Mac. After all, using Shift-Ctrl-V for pasting in Gnome is yucky on a normal day. This keyboard has the chance to make it better.
The advantage of this keyboard is that it might help you to sit right. And, that, my friends, would be a win. Plus, you can fit your Blue Microphone, if you have one, between the left and the right pads.
It comes in different keys than just Browns. The Browns are what I have in order to not have as much noise as the Blues. But, the noise of the Browns gives me the Blues since they are a little louder than I desired to have, but the activation pressure that they have is OK. And, not Okay like that set of soda pop cola commercials of that big American Football Game of 2019. No, it is not as if I want a substitute -- I want to keep my Kinesis. I would like to have a few more of them.
This keyboard is a fantastic experience so far. As a sufferer of self-inflicted abuse of the wrists and posture, when I realized I was going to be writing over 30 pages of content over the next week or so this week, I put the order in for this product last week, deciding this would both be the perfect time to invest in something ergonomic, as well as the best kind of proof-of-concept. I'm 18 pages into today, and I must say I love the experience so far.
You pick your switches, and Blues are poison of choice. Nice, clicky, and high tactile bump. If you love them elsewhere, you'll love them here.
For me, this keyboard had a slight learning curve. Some of the right side keys are cramped, but you quickly get used to them. Additionally, I used to use the "wrong" fingers for pressing the Y and B keys, crossing over my index fingers. Now if I do that, I fall off the board! The transition didn't take more than a few days, and I'll likely be up to 100+ wpm speeds again in a few more days at this rate.
Everything about this keyboard is pretty solid. The build quality, the switches, the advanced functionality! Too bad I can't access most of that last part!
Keyboard works fine for all of it's basic functions on Windows 7, but here's the kicker; the software asks for Windows 8 or beyond. I can't customize the LED lighting or use the macro assignment software correctly when I open the program on Windows 7. I thought I was simply doing something wrong, but the reality is just that the software that comes on board with the keyboard doesn't play nice with Windows 7 on a deeper level, but that fact is unfortunately absent from the advertisements surrounding the product.
That being said, I regret nothing, I won't be running 7 for much longer, and that's a very small nitpick. It was inconvenient enough I'm handing out a 4 instead of a 5, but that doesn't change the fact that I heavily recommend this product! If it breaks down surprisingly early, or anything else strange like that, I'll let you all know. Until something like that changes my mind, I can't recommend this board enough - it's saving my hide right now.
i ordered this with silver switches. i use it for games, writing, and programming. silver switches activate very high, making for a very responsive feel. it takes some time to train yourself not to press the keys all the way, but typing is much quicker and lower strain once you do.
i added a set of dampeners (1 per key) and find that i prefer the slightly softer feel it gives the keyboard. this is of course highly individual, but if you find the keys are too deep or loud for your liking, you may benefit from this as well.
the keyboard has a subtly gaming inflected but relatively simple design. in this age of lightweight, disposable electronics, it's a pleasure to use a keyboard with build quality this high. i have seen "n years later" reviews of kinesis keyboards where people have been happily using the same keyboard for a decade, and i can see why. i will be surprised if i have any problems with it in the next decade.
note that the b key is on the left: if you ordinarily type it with your right hand it will require a bit of readjustment.
A real fan of this keyboard. I've been searching for a mechanical replacement for my MS ergo keyboards I've been using for years. I love this design and flexibility. It's not a cheap keyboad but just like I tell all my friends, this is something you will touch every single day you use your completer. Those of you who spend $2K+ on a computer, this should be a no brainer. The "blue" cherry mx are loud, so be warned. I wanted the extra tactile feedback and I'm very happy but they are audible (look for videos if you're concerned). I haven't had any of the issues the other reviewers have had and I've been impressed with the build, function, and design. I LOVE that zero software is required to use the extra features of the keyboard. If I had to complain about anything, it would be the plastic. For a keyboard at this price it would have been nice to see higher quality material options, but overall it's a very nice keyboard.
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