What are the best keyboards with customizable hardware?

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3

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Sep 19, 2017

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Here’s the Deal

3 Options Considered

Best keyboards with customizable hardware	Price	Weight	Cable
73 ErgoDox	-	-	-
-- Ultimate Hacking Keyboard	$220	1kg	180cm, removable
-- DIY keyboard	Variable	-	-

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score 10 · Answer 1

ErgoDox

Top Pro

Firmware updates

Because of the nature of ErgoDox, within an open source community, there are advancements in firmware being made continuously. See More

Top Con

Expensive

Getting a complete kit from Massdrop costs about $400. Sourcing each part individually ends up a bit under $200. See More

Top Pro

Open source

The ErgoDox has an open design, so if you want to modify anything at all, you can fork the Github repository. See More

Top Con

Needs to be assembled

This can be fun, but some people just want a working keyboard without having to spend three hours with a soldering iron. It's tricky to find pre-assembled ErgoDoxes, and they're not mass-produced. It is also possible to commission an enthusiast to build one up as well. Some Massdrops of the ErgoDox kit did came with an option allowing one to choose whether to have it pre-made or not. See More

Top Pro

Ultimate customizability

You can map any key to any position easily using a simple GUI, including making hardware key layers. And, since the firmware is open source, you can modify it to do anything you want. Many of the hardware components can also be altered/replaced by equivalent parts. See More

Top Con

Difficult to source

You have to either source the individual components and build it yourself or wait for a Massdrop group purchase. See More

Top Pro

Split design lets you optimize positioning

You can arrange each side of the keyboard to match your hand positions. Helps keep your body straight and improve your posture. See More

Top Con

Can't return it if you don't like it

As the Ergodox is an open source design, you'll either get each component individually or purchase it from Massdrop. Either way, it's not possible to return if you don't like it. See More

Top Pro

Many accessible keys

There are more keys which are easily accessible for touch typists than on the usual keyboards. See More

Top Con

Hard to use with small hands

Because of its size, it's hard to use for those who have small hands. See More

Top Pro

Comfortable for those with broad shoulders and large hands

Because of its split design, the ErgoDox lets you optimize the positioning of its halves according to what's best for your body shape, even if you have broad shoulders and large hands. See More

Top Con

Tends to move around during use

Due to its split structure and lack of sturdiness, it tends to move during use. See More

Top Pro

More actions for the thumb

Unlike other keyboards, like the Lexmark M15 and Cherry G80-5000, where the only action performable by the thumbs is punching the spacebar, ErgoDox has extra keys placed near the spacebar, within thumb reach. This prevents the thumbs from being a bit redundant. See More

See All

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score 8 · Answer 2

Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

Top Pro

Feature customization via add-on modules

You can attach trackpoint, trackball, trackpad and additional key clusters to the board. This allows for extensive feature customization, for increased productivity and convenience. See More

Top Con

Not shipping until Spring 2017

The HKB is not shipping yet. Manufacturers predict they will start shipping during Spring 2017. See More

Specs

Weight:1kg

Cable:180cm, removable

Length:left: 13.5cm, right: 15.4cm, combined 28.9cm

Available Switches:Kailh (Blue, Brown, Red, Black), Cherry (Green, Clear)

See All Specs

Top Pro

No need to leave the home row

For maximum touch-typing productivity, one's hands should not leave the home row frequently. With conventional keyboards, this is not the case when navigation and function keys need to be used. On the HKB, via a thumb key press, several function layers can be activated, turning the home row keys into function keys. See More

Top Pro

Modular and disassembly friendly

The UHK is modular and has disassembly instructions embossed onto components and even printed on the circuit board. It records use data, so when key switches have reached the end of its lifespan, users can replace them. See More

Top Pro

Ergonomic design

The UHK has a split design, since two keyboard halves result in a more natural typing posture. The halves are connected by a bridge cable, which expands and contracts as needed, occupying minimal desk space. The halves can be merged together as one, which is useful for transportation purposes or if you happen to prefer a one-piece keyboard. See More

Top Pro

Programmable

Through the use of an app called Agent, users can configure the UHK to their liking. See More

See All

score 6 · Answer 3

DIY keyboard

Top Pro

Users can create their own design

You can create your own design, hence guaranteeing that it will be one you like. See More

Top Pro

Easy access to information for the building process

There are many online sources that give comprehensive information on how to build your own keyboard. See More

What are the best keyboards with customizable hardware?

3 Options Considered

ErgoDox

My Recommendation for ErgoDox

My Recommendation for ErgoDox

Firmware updates

Expensive

Open source

Needs to be assembled

Ultimate customizability

Difficult to source

Split design lets you optimize positioning

Can't return it if you don't like it

Many accessible keys

Hard to use with small hands

Comfortable for those with broad shoulders and large hands

Tends to move around during use

More actions for the thumb

Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

My Recommendation for Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

My Recommendation for Ultimate Hacking Keyboard

Feature customization via add-on modules

Not shipping until Spring 2017

No need to leave the home row

Modular and disassembly friendly

Ergonomic design

Programmable

DIY keyboard

My Recommendation for DIY keyboard

My Recommendation for DIY keyboard

Users can create their own design

Easy access to information for the building process

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