Customer Reviews

Typematrix 2030 USB Ez Reach US Ergo Keyboard Qwerty

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought a Typematrix 2030 keyboard to use at work when I discovered I had some RSI pain in my arms. The initial main reason for choosing it was the very narrow width of the keyboard which allowed me to move my track ball in right next to the keyboard and reduce the motion of my arm when switching between the keyboard and the mouse. I've used it for a few years now and finally decided to get another one for use at home. I like the typing feel of the keyboard, it doesn't have too much stiffness to the keys. Both of mine are QWERTY keyboards with the option to switch to Dvorak layout.

Pros:
* Narrow width that moves the mouse in closer.
* Quality, I've never had any problems with my keyboard.
* Typing feel is nice.
* Layout is very nice (once you get used to it).
* The ability to switch to Dvorak mode if you want to go to the next stage of optimizing your keyboarding experience.
* Availability of membrane skins with the alternate keyboard layout (e.g. Dvorak) so that you can be add the skin and have a different keyboard layout.

Cons:
* Price is pretty high.
* The number of features available can make the keyboard confusing to use at times. Sometimes when I hit a wrong set of keys at the same time I end up putting it into a different mode and then have to switch it back.
* Using the skins over the keyboard is a little bit harder than just the keyboard. I've used my first Typematrix 2030 for over 2 years without a skin with no problems, so I guess the skin is a personal choice.

Overall, I really like this keyboard and recommend it highly. The only people that I wouldn't recommend it to would be heavy users of the numeric pad. It gets it's narrow width from integrating the numeric pad over the other keys so it isn't quite as convenient as a normal 104 key keyboard if the numeric pad is used frequently. But for normal typing, it works great!

I've had mine for one and a half years now and I'm very happy with this keyboard - so much, that I'm buying a second one (although it is pretty expensive).

Pros:
- small
- aligned keys (i.e. not staggered)
- hardware switch for dvorak, my preferred layout
- nice key response (it' somewhere between a laptop keyboard and regular keys)
- solid build
Cons:
- requires an USB adapter for non-PS/2 interfaces (the adapter is included with the package)
- no extra num-pad, I don't use the integrated one at all
- some manual remapping of keys might be required to fit your needs
- there is no means for raising the back of the keyboard (most keyboards have expandable feet)

This is my keyboard of choice, the pro's by far outweigh the cons for me. The only thing I would wish for future versions is a complete separation of the left and the right keyboard parts.

4.5/5

could not find any of the promised ergonomic benefits in this keyboard.
it looks like an attempt to keep making some old mainframe keyboard and sell it to market. it basically is horrible. could not get used to this layout, which is definitely not best for any heavy computer user.