KINESIS mWave Ergonomic Keyboard for PC (Black) | Mechanical Switches | Bluetooth & USB | Programmable | Backlit | Windows Modifiers & Hotkeys

Awesome!

I come from "regular" keyboards, with hunt-and-peck typing. I have been having arm/elbow/wrist issues so I decided to go ergonomic.I started with a Logitech Ergo K860. It has a concave split shape with soft short laptop-style keys. It was very easy to use and very comfortable. But I didn't like how wide it was, so I went looking for a keyboard without a numpad.So I got this Kinesis M-wave. Right off the bat, it's hard to type with. The keys are spaced really far apart (compared to the Logitech and other keyboards). There are keys in places other keys weren't. And the split shape sort of leaves your fingers in the wrong place, whereas the Logitech didn't. It's also a concave shape rather than convex. So hunt and peck (without looking) is really difficult. And these brown mechanical switches are both too soft, yet also too hard, they feel slightly too hard but also mushy and move around a lot.However. If I challenge myself to use home row typing, suddenly it all makes sense. I still don't like how firm the keys are. But suddenly my fingers are all in a place that makes sense. The wrist rest is also very comfortable.Final downsides: 1) the backlight only works if you plug it in (really, kinesis? my logitech could do backlight on battery, and I could adjust levels! (I think), 2) the different key layout for pg up/down, home/end, delete, etc is really weird and hard to get used to, 3) to use the modifier keys (volume up/down) you have to hit a sort of "modifier lock" and THEN hit your modifier key and then REMEMBER to go un-set the "modifier lock", which is annoying and weird.All that said, I'm gonna stick with it, because i can adapt to the downsides and it does feel more comfortable (and takes up less space). But I prefer the logitech, I just wish it were shorter.

I must have gotten a refurbished keyboard or something because the keyboard wouldn’t Bluetooth connect out of the box. According to the enclosed instructions the lights meant it had connected to something previously and was searching for a signal. The troubleshooting steps were no help, I followed them all to a T multiple times. I ended up having to go to their website to download a file that factory reset the keyboard.The magnets inside the three removable legs of the keyboard weren’t secured, so they just pop out anytime you take off one the legs.It feels okay to type on, it’ll probably take me a little getting used to.Overall it still works as a keyboard, I’m a little miffed that I paid full price for something that must have gotten returned without being reset to default settings first.

I like it, it needs a little time to adjust with the layout. The numpad is ingenious but I’m not using it as I have a separate one. Backlighting is really nice.!

So far so good, I waited 6 months for this keyboard....hmm or maybe it's more like I waited 6yrs for a replacement for my Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard.I still like the feel and keys of the Comfort Curve keyboard better, it was quieter, had a dedicated number pad, and a better mechanical feel than this keyboard but the padded area wore off pretty badly, it started leaving pieces of plastic all over my hands and desk.This keyboard checked all of the boxes for me, mechanical keys (although a bit loud for my taste), lit (this was very important to me for my next keyboard because I usually work late into the night and typing things like passwords is difficult in the dark), split layout (faster typing and more comfortable), and wired (I hate wireless anything, just one more thing to keep charged).I do wish it was more full sized like the comfort curve keyboard, and it would be nice if the keyboard light automatically turned off after xx number of minutes because I feel like it will burn out one day if it is lit 24/7, it also flaked out a few times to where I had to unplug it and plug it back in but that could be my USB switchbox (however my previous keyboard never had a problem).

I love this keyboard! It has the ergonomics of the old Microsoft Sculpt with a higher build quality than some of the other clones out there. With nice mechanical keys, it has a lovely typing feel. That said, the keys are fairly clicky, which some may find too loud. And while the switches are common (Gateron KS-33 brown) the are not swappable, as my no longer functioning F6 key could attest. 🙃 If they come out with one which uses the new Gateron KS-33 quiet switches, it will be an insta-buy for me.

I’m a huge fan of mechanical keyboards, but I had to use the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard because of wrist pain. This one combines the best of both worlds.The only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is the squeaky nature of the Gateron Brown keys (leaf ping). However, lubing the switches - specifically the stem and the 6 o’clock position of the stem - with Tribosys 3203 grease, using a brush to push the grease into the switch, eliminated the unwanted noise and made the keyboard much smoother to type on.

Great keyboard. I just wish the numbers on the top row had the same illumination as the symbols.