Cloud Nine ErgoTKL Ergonomic Tenkeyless Mechanical Keyboard for PC – Kailh Brown – TKL RGB Backlit Ergo Split Key Board

Ok, so I'm only going on a few hours of typing on this beast, but I am extremely happy with it, how it was packaged, how it sounds/feels and the speed/accuracy. For reference, I am a professional writer and hit about 10k words a day - so I do A LOT of typing and don't 'settle' on keyboards.I'm coming into this having been a long-time Logitech Wave devotee, then a Microsoft Sculpt owner, followed by a brief stint with a SteelSeries non-ergonomic keyboard. Though everyone's hands and posture are different, I would not trade this for ANY of the others.1. Packaging - The only thing I've ever seen packaged better was my SecretLabs chair. Thick foam everywhere, both halves of the keyboard securely wrapped in anti-static bags, cords, keycap puller and extra keycaps sealed in zip baggies and in cutouts in the foam. If this arrives damaged, it wasn't the mailman... unless he backed over it - twice.2. Set-up - attach a 8" cable between the two halves, plug the micro-usb end of another cord in the keyboard and the other end into a USB end of your computer. BINGO... that's all you NEED to do... of course, you can go download the drivers and software (all of which triggers Windows Defender since these folks saved some cash on buying the license from Microsoft but doesn't hurt your system (that I know of)). I really don't think the average Joe needs to download the software as this baby is plug and play and has TONS of cool color effects that can be cycled with a press of a button on the keyboard. Everything, including the wheel and the Copy/Paste/Select/Cut keys worked without the drivers.3. Keys - ONLY downside is when you really get humming on this thing and misstroke a key, there is a bit of a metallic 'ring' sound... not a big deal... just struck me as funny as if they keyboard is sayin', "JEEZ... slow down there killer!" I opted for the brown keys... if you are a light fingered typist, they are pretty close to silent with a NICE little tactile bump when the key actuates... very little though... if you are going over 80 wpm, there's no way you'll feel it and the air will be filled with the clacky-clack-clack of the keys bottoming out (which takes a VERY satisfying amount of pressure - not too much, not too little - the springs are set PERFECT). The wrist pad is nice (not shockingly amazing but nice) and the adjustable height is perfect and VERY stable.4 - RGB lighting - I won't ruin this one for ya... it is PER key, customizable (thru the software), but you REALLY don't need to mess with customizing, there are some AMAZING set-ups pre-configured and they are simple.5 - The WHEEL - probably more of a gimmick than anything... it does feel nice, it nicely made, has tactile bumps as you twist it (like the wheel on your mouse) so it doesn't just spin willy-nilly. I'm sure there are people out there that are program switching fiends, but if you have multiple monitors, this'll probably just be used for volume control and muting.6 - Overall - I considered buying the ZSA Moonlander for $365, then decided I'd try this first... I dunno... maybe the Moonlander IS better with its fancy-schmancy key setup... but... again, only a day into this one... I think I made a great choice going with this keyboard.Yes, this is relatively expensive... but, the quality and ease of operation justifies the price. If keys fly off, it catches fire and chases my dog down the hall while typing REDRUM over and over, I'll update this review.

This keyboard presents itself as a well architected device with a great deal of engineering attention to detail. For example, they seem to have figured out the right amount of ergonomics such that placing my hands on the keys with my palms on the rest pads felt very comfortable. This was the fourth split keyboard in my recent search and the clear winner.I have never used a split key pad so there is a short learning curve. The bottom-line is that while I type slower I make fewer mistakes so my typing speed has actually increased!I love the ability to program the keys and change their color. I use a KVM which uses double scroll lock as a trigger to switch monitor, keyboard and mouse to another computer. Originally that required the Fn key as the key was labelled Print Scr / ScrLk. By flipping those keys I no longer need the Fn key. If you are a gamer you would probably use Print Scr more and not flip the keys. I also flipped Pause Break / Insert. I never use Pause Break but occasionally use Insert. I love the built-in Copy, Paste, Cut, Select all keys but changed the Select all to Undo. (P.S. Programming required a direct USB-Computer connection - would not program through the KVM.)The color coding is a wonderful aesthetic touch. I was not enamored of all the built in color schemes they offered which wave and oscillate so I created a static color scheme. Letters are light blue, numbers are purple, ctrl keys are red, etc. This of-course makes very little difference to the typing experience but it's like your house color - it makes no difference to your house's functionality but it's a nice personal touch.I have the brown keys and many people have commented on how loud they are. No question they are louder than membrane/rubber keys which have been my primary experience for years. (The red keys are much quieter but don't offer the same tactile feedback.) In the grand scheme of things people talking in the next cubicle or an overhead A/C unit contribute more to overall noise pollution. The pinging some people have mentioned is subtle - did not even notice until I started listening for it. If you are in a conference call or on the phone people will hear you typing. But even membrane keyboards are not stealthy - I muted myself on calls when using my old Logitech membrane keyboard.Someone mentioned this is clone of the Kinesis Pro - not really. I ordered and received the Kinesis Pro upon which I saw their warning that it was not to be attached to a KVM so I could not even try it out. The other split keyboard option is the Goldtouch which I did not order but it does not have the custom Copy, Cut, Paste buttons which I am enamored with.The software application and the firmware are not signed as several people have mentioned so be prepared for the warnings but I just carried on. They both installed. The keyboard works out of the box so if you do not need to program the keys it is not necessary to install.