When comparing ErgoDox EZ vs QPAD MK-80, the Slant community recommends ErgoDox EZ for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” ErgoDox EZ is ranked 3rd while QPAD MK-80 is ranked 41st. The most important reason people chose ErgoDox EZ is:
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.
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Pros
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.
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.
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.
Pro Open source
The ErgoDox has an open design, so if you want to modify anything at all, you can fork the Github repository.
Pro Many easily accessible keys for touch typists
There are more keys which are easily accessible for touch typists than on common keyboards.
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.
Pro Key rows are aligned
Almost all the keyboards have a small row offset (for example, on a standard QWERTY keyboard, the A key is not directly below the Q key. On the ErgoDox, this isn't the case: keys form straight columns. Together with the movability of the two parts you can stretch your fingers straight on, not slightly sidewards. This helps with touch typing, since you just need to stretch your fingers straight onward to reach the key above, rather than stretching it onwards and sideways.
Pro Firmware updates
Because of the nature of ErgoDox, within an open source community, there are advancements in firmware being made continuously.
Pro Customization settings saved on the keyboard
With most programmable keyboards, you have to use their software in order to save and reuse your customizations. Using such keyboards on other systems "degrades" them to their default setting. Since with the ErgoDox the settings are saved directly on the keyboard, no matter the system where you're using it, your macros, tap dances and layers are always available.
Pro Split design forces correct hand position
The Ergodox doesn't allow you to reach over the centerline to hit T and H with a single finger, or whatever other bad habits you might have. The split design forces you to keep your hands in the right position.
Pro ErgoDox EZ offers a 2-year warranty
The pre-assembled version offers an extensive 2-year warranty, provided you haven't taken it apart or physically broken it.
Pro Small to carry
You can put the keyboards together, making it very easy to carry around.
Pro Palm support
The MK-80 comes with a detachable palm-rest.
Pro Easily plug in peripherals
Two USB slots and a microphone and headphone input/output are available.
Pro Sturdy
Due to its great build quality, the MK-80 is quite sturdy.
Pro Surface protection
The surface is protected by a very nice high-quality rubbery coating.
Pro Affordable
This keyboard is considerably less expensive than a Ducky.
Pro N-key rollover
This keyboard has anti-ghosting n-key rollover, so that no keystrokes are lost when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
Cons
Con Expensive
Getting a complete kit from Massdrop costs about $400. Sourcing each part individually ends up a bit under $200.
You can get a preassembled keyboard from ergodox-ez.com from 270$ with 2 year warranty
Con Firmware has some hiccups sometimes
Usually this doesn't get in your way, but sometimes it does.
The repository is actively developed, so errors should be resolved within no time, or at least you get decent help.
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.
However, you can order and ErgoDox EZ preassembled here.
Con Tends to move around during use
Due to its split structure and lack of sturdiness, it tends to move during use.
Con Difficult to source individual components
You have to either source the individual components and build it yourself or wait for a Massdrop group purchase.
However, you can order it preassembled here.
Con Hard to use with small hands
Because of its size, it's hard to use for those who have small hands.