Split Ergonomic Keyboard

A split ergonomic keyboard separates the key layout into 2 halves that sit at shoulder width apart. Immediate effect is that your wrists stop bending inward at the angle that causes most repetitive strain injuries. The 2 halves connect with a cable or wirelessly, and you position them wherever feels natural. For me that means about 18 inches apart with a slight tent angle that keeps my forearms neutral. Keys are arranged in an ortholinear grid instead of the staggered layout that standard keyboards use. Grid alignment means your fingers move straight up and down rather than diagonally. The learning curve is about 2 weeks of typing at half speed before muscle memory adjusts. After that the comfort difference makes going back to a standard keyboard feel wrong. I like that the split layout also creates desk space between the halves for a notebook or a trackpad, and that practical benefit wasn't something I expected. Boards I am looking at cost between $150 and $350 depending on the switches and case material. The health argument for preventing wrist strain makes the investment easier to justify than most tech purchases.