Perixx PERIBOARD-535RD Wired Ergonomic Mechanical Split Keyboard - Low-Profile Red Linear Switches - Programmable Feature with Macro Keys - Compatible with Windows and Mac OS X - US English, Black

This is a very fine and well made keyboard. It is a pleasure to type with. The sound feedback (the click) is not too loud as to disturb others, but good for those who like the click. I type all day long and have used a lot of the ergonomic keyboards...and this is by far the best I have every used. The feel is just right. Keys pop back ever so nicely. The return key, enter, and shift key are larger for easy tapping. Love this keyboard. The extra $30.00 dollars over the others is well worth the price. So So GOOD!!!

This is the best keyboard I've ever had. The key responsiveness is perfect. The palm rest is comfortable. The keystroke is smooth. I have the Red Linear and it makes a great clicking sound. Coming from the Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard, which was silent, I not only enjoy typing on it more, but I have also reduced typos. Couldn't be happier!

I have used the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard at home and at work for at least 10 years (and the similar Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite for many years before that). I love that keyboard design, and even though the letters have rubbed off some of the more frequently used keys, both of my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboards have held up well and still work perfectly. However, after switching to Mac at home, I wanted to find a keyboard with four keys to the left of the spacebar, including an "fn" key, to match the layout on my MacBook's keyboard. The Periboard-535 seemed like it would be a great replacement. It has the exact same keyboard layout as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard, except that it has four modifier keys on each side of the spacebar instead of three--which is what I wanted, and it has a similar split and sloped ergonomic design (but see "Cons" below). Unfortunately, it turns out that the "fn" key on the Periboard-535 is not a fully functional "fn" key. It can only be used to perform actions on the keyboard itself in combination with other keys (e.g., in combination with the F1 - F12 keys). When the "fn" key on the Periboard-535 is pressed, no signal or key code is sent from the keyboard to the operating system. (I confirmed with Perixx support that that is how the Periboard-535 is designed and that there is no way to reprogram the "fn" key or use it to perform a macro when pressed by itself.) For me, that was a deal killer because that was the entire reason for looking for a replacement for my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard, and I had to return the Periboard-535. If my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboards had broken, I probably would have kept the Periboard-535, because it might be the best available substitute. But I did not find the Periboard-535 to be a good replacement for a working Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard. Pros: * The mechanical brown tactile switches have a nice feel. They aren't the same as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard, but the keys press smoothly and seemed "faster". * The keyboard layout matches the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard and includes full number pad * The ergonomic design is decent and is both split and sloped, but not as good as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard (see below) * The USB cord to connect the keyboard to the computer is braided and a good length Cons: * The "fn" key is not a true, fully functional "fn" key. * The ergonomic design is not as good as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard, which has a "wave" design. The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard has a split design that is actually slightly curved, compared to the Periboard-535's split design that is straight. Similarly, the slope on the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard is curved, compared to the Periboard-535's slope design that is a straight angle. For me, the curved split and curved slope on the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard are more comfortable--at least after a decade of using that design. * The palm rest on the Periboard-535 is hard, textured plastic and not cushioned leather (or imitation leather) like the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 Keyboard. I didn't think that would really matter, but it was surprising to me how noticeable the difference was. * The palm rest on the Periboard-535 is a bit too small and the keyboard has sort of sharp corners. Missing Bonus Feature: * Although not really a true "con", it would have been nice if the Periboard-535 had backlit keys (at least plain white) like its cousin, the wireless Periboard-835 (which has RGB backlighting). I would like to have a backlit keyboard, but I am only interested in a wired keyboard because I don't want to have to think about charging the keyboard or deal with an aging battery several years down the road.

This keyboard combines all the elegance of a gaming keyboard with the ergonomics of, well, an ergonomic keyboard. The Cloud 9 keyboard was the first mechanical ergonomic board I've owned, but I think this one is better in many ways: 1) it is a smaller form factor and takes up much less desk space; 2) the low-profile switches make typing a breeze and with less effort; 3) the classic layout doesn't try to do anything "cute," so I do not have to get used to a different location of, for example, the delete, home, end, page up, page down, etc. keys; and 4) the price is very reasonable compared to competitors of similar products. There are probably other reasons I am forgetting to mention, but I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who is looking for an ergonomic keyboard to start using this one. If you've never used mechanical switches before, you've been missing out. I like the blue/clicky switches, but they're not for everyone. The brown (tactile) or red (straight) switches may be to your preference. Either way, they add a lot of pleasure to the typing experience. And in a world where many spend half of their waking life in front of a computer, you should have nothing but the best.

This one hurts. I read reviews, watched videos, researched the differences between red, brown, and blue switches. I listened to audio samples from multiple sources of what it'd sound like to type on. I was beyond excited to see a mechanical switch ergo keyboard finally available. Been waiting over twenty years for something like this! Opting for the brown switches I wasn't at all disappointed in the feedback. Short throw keys, a good tactile feeling, not obnoxiously loud, it felt GREAT to type on and I was so dang excited to finally get away from these awful membrane type keys! But within minutes this keyboard let me down hard. First off, there are extra keys. Because it's both Windows and Mac there's some extra stuff thrown in there, including a function lock key which needs to be on for F1-F12 to work. Otherwise they operate as multimedia keys and some other stuff. This also leaves all of the function keys directly in line with the number keys up top, not slightly offset. There's also barely any spacing between the rows which meant a lot of accidental key presses. A bigger issue was having a fourth button at the bottom left which continued to mess me up in very short order. But the single worst offender which I don't see being brought up in other reviews is the shape of the wrist rest. Not the texture, which was fine. For whatever reason this keyboard's rest is shaped with 90 degree edges and completely fails to follow the curve of the split key design, you can clearly see how there's less of a rest by the spacebars and more of a rest at the edges. I don't know of any other ergo keyboard with this general shape, and with good reason. I was concerned about this going in and my concerns turned out to be the ultimate downfall of this keyboard. After about 20 minutes of typing the heels of my palms were both getting very irritated because they were resting against this sharp edge. The rest isn't nearly long enough and this deficiency in usable surface area holds the keyboard back. I even looked online to see if anyone provided an extension to the rest, to no avail. It's a dang shame as this keyboard has a great feeling to it. The aluminum shell makes it feel sturdy while being incredibly thin and light. The switch keys are AMAZING and I sorely want to keep them! But when it hurts to type on an ergonomic keyboard then it is immediately failing at its main purpose in life. I'm a writer and a gamer, I put serious miles on my keyboards. I've gone through 2-3 Fellowes Microban ergo keyboards which no longer seem to be available, though they can now be found as the Perixx Periboard-512. I've just ordered a 512 for when this last Fellowes finally meets its end. Hopefully the quality hasn't taken a hit. Letting this one go hurts, but it'd hurt more to keep it. Here's hoping Perixx makes a Gen 2 version which can address these issues, I would eagerly give it another try.

My previous keyboard was a similar ergonomic design, but with basic non-mechanical switches, and the difference is night and day. The keys on my other one felt slow/squishy, whereas these are super responsive, allowing me to type much faster with a very light touch. I also love the sound. I was concerned it would be too loud, so I got the red switches, and they are exactly what I wanted - still with the satisfying clack of a mechanical keyboard, but won't wake anyone up in the next room. I was choosing between this one and another model that did not have the 10-key number pad, and this won because I wasn't willing to go without that. I haven't used all the features yet, but the Macro keys have already come in handy - very nice to have. Size wise, this also fits my adjustable keyboard tray - other ergonomic models were so wide that they would have been spilling over the sides. The interface software is so easy to use - I always disable the left-side Windows key so I don't accidentally hit it and interrupt my gaming session, and with previous keyboards I always had to go into the Registry Editor and modify hex codes, but for this one you can do it with a simple click on the mapping profile through the software. The only thing that would have been nice to have is a bit of lighting on the keys for when the room is dark, but that's not a big deal, and otherwise I have no notes.

Bought this to use due to carpal tunnel & tennis elbow. Product is great & easy to program buttons for certain functions

It gets at least 1 star for: - being the only keyboard availabe that put mechanical switches, low-profile or not, at ergonomic angle and tented while still keeping the standard 104 key layout - for having Mac and Windows buttons to swap modifier keys - for looking decent Unfortunately, I couldn't use these options as the keyboard was unusable because the palm of my hand rests on the edge of the palm rest, which makes typing very uncomfortable on the palm. Maybe someone with very small hands could get by, but even then the palm rest should probably be cushioned not plastic. Keyboard moved on the right side while typing or moving hands back into position on the keyboard. Keyboard also was flimsy and really needed another leg in middle for more stability under the tent of the keyboard. Maybe they will update their design to try out again, but at this point it isn't worth the money.