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Within the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I confronted a dilemma that is likely to be acquainted to many pc customers: My wrists have been killing me. I used to be pulling eight-hour shifts at work, then enjoying extra video games on PC than ever on the identical setup to remain linked to buddies throughout a bleak time. I hadn’t skilled wrist ache from typing earlier than, however it was so unhealthy that I couldn’t go on with out discovering a extra snug various that had at the very least a number of the bells and whistles I anticipated from a contemporary gaming keyboard.
I finally discovered an answer that met my standards for a gaming keyboard in addition to an ergonomic one, a mix of wants that I supposed would by no means intersect — at an affordable value, at the very least. I discovered the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB, and whereas $199.99 won’t be “affordable” to some, it’s extra inexpensive than different cut up keyboards which have comparable options.
The primary characteristic that distinguishes the Kinesis from most different keyboards is that it’s cut up into two components, with every chunk linked by a cable. In case you have been questioning, sure, there’s a studying curve to typing on this sort of keyboard. How robust it’ll be will depend upon what your typing is like on a standard keyboard. If you happen to use the keyboard’s residence rows, such as you may’ve realized in pc class as a child, it in all probability gained’t take you lengthy to acclimate, however when you hunt and peck for keys, the cut up format could also be extra of a problem.
For the reason that Freestyle Edge RGB is cut up, you may place every half precisely the way you need so long as the 2 sides don’t stretch past the cable’s 20-inch size. So, as an alternative of bending my wrists outward to kind on typical layouts, my arms and wrists will be extra relaxed, typing at a place and angle that feels extra pure. On my desk, the keyboard halves barely contact one another. It’s bliss. If you happen to play video games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, you may even transfer both half out of the best way to make room in your desk for a HOTAS controller.
![This image from Kinesis shows its FreeStyle Edge RGB gaming keyboard standing up. The keyboard’s two halves can be used up to 20 inches apart, but they are shown close to each other.](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/U3i2CZsjWR_0WpJ0Z63lapMPv1k=/0x0:2040x1360/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:2040x1360):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336445/FSERGBstanding.jpg)
Picture: Kinesis
Regardless of its seems, the Freestyle Edge RGB is just like different gaming keyboards. It has mechanical keys with the choice to pick out Cherry MX Blue (clicky), Crimson (linear), Silver (quick linear), or Brown (tactile) switches in case you’ve got a desire, and every key’s backlit with RGB LEDs that may be personalized in Kinesis’ SmartSet app. This mannequin additionally contains removable palm rests that carry your wrists up for a good cozier typing expertise.
That’s all nice, however this keyboard is a star as a result of it has N-key rollover (NKRO), a characteristic that enables the person to press any variety of keys without delay. I discovered the onerous approach that my earlier cut up keyboard didn’t assist it through the heyday of Halo Infinite’s very enjoyable on-line multiplayer; I couldn’t concurrently maintain down shift to dash, hit area to leap, maintain W to maneuver ahead, and toss a grenade with the G key. NKRO is a primary gaming characteristic in lots of inexpensive gaming keyboards, however you’ve obtained to look slightly tougher for it in ergonomic fashions. Fortunately, it’s obtainable with the Freestyle Edge RGB, which is simply as responsive and succesful as the following gaming keyboard, prepared for any collection of key presses.
![An image showing the Kinesis FreeStyle Edge RGB ergonomic split keyboard on a desk. The Lift kit is attached to each keyboard half, and the halves are tilted at different angles to illustrate its feature set.](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Iu-WKTRnzsWkOq3DcovnOY-niyw=/0x0:4080x2720/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:4080x2720):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25336449/FSERGBtent.jpg)
This Kinesis keyboard helps an add-on ergonomic characteristic that leaves different gaming keyboards within the mud. The $29.99 Lift Kit is available in two items, every snapping onto the underside of the Freestyle Edge RGB to supply some carry, so your wrists will be opened (oriented extra such as you’re stepping into for a handshake as an alternative of laying flat). These let the keyboard halves be tented independently of one another at a number of angles. The bottom 5- and 10-degree angle choices tilt all sides upward barely, whereas the 15-degree angle gives a steeper pitch which will look unusual, however in my expertise, rapidly felt regular to kind on.
One small grievance I’ve with the Freestyle Edge RGB is that, in comparison with pricier choices just like the ErgoDox EZ and the Matias Ergo Pro, it doesn’t assist sloping, which might elevate your palms in order that they’re greater than your fingers. It will have been preferrred if the add-on V3 Professional Lifters equipment enabled this. Nonetheless, for the cash, the Freestyle Edge RGB gives simply sufficient for full- or part-time players and desk employees who need to catch a break from wrist ache.
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