Finally bought my Kinesis Advantage today, after much contemplation. If you are reading this page, you are probably in the initial phase of considering it. Let me answer the top question on your mind right now:
Is it worth the $299 price tag?
Yes!! In fact I paid something like $350 for it because I do not reside in the US and had to pay a hefty delivery fee. After 2 months of usage I do not regret it a bit and it really lives up to the hype — it’s the most pleasant keyboard I have used.
What’s so good about it?
For me, it’s the split and curved design. The patented layout of the keyboard does make typing much more comfortable. As a programmer and geek I type all day. I think I was on the verge of getting RSI before I purchased the Advantage keyboard.
People skeptics may think that there is a placebo effect of RSI or things like that. I was also worried about that when I was getting over the $299 price tag. Now that I have used it, all I can say is that I do not believe in the placebo effect — the ergonomics is real.
Personally, a major benefit of the Advantage layout is the placement of them Ctrl key:
Using the thumb to press the Ctrl key totally got rid of my “Vim pinky” (while scrolling through code using Ctrl+F, Ctrl+B and co.) I can only imagine that Emacs user will be able to derive a much greater benefit from the Ctrl key placement alone.
And how about the mechanical key quality?
This is my first mechanical keyboard so I can’t really judge. However this does feel so much better than the crappy Microsoft Natural 4000. The Microsoft keyboard has a pretty good split design but the rubber dome keys make me want to throw up every time I had to touch it.
How long did it take to adapt?
As expected, adaptation was quite difficult. For the first couple of days I dropped from 150 WPM to 15 WPM, no joke. The placement of the arrow keys were totally alien and difficult to get used to. After two months of usage the usage of the left, right arrow keys still do not feel very intuitive to me.
A major challenge is that the keys are actually placed closer together than most keyboard, so that your movement must be very precise or you may hit the next keys accidentally.
Another major challenge for me was that I always used the right middle finger to press m, which is quite impossible with the Advantage layout. In general, it’s quite difficult to type with anything but perfectly correct typing posture to use the Advantage.
It took me about 2 – 3 weeks of casual usage to be able to get back to 120 WPM. After the initial adaptation period typing was very comfortable and I feel quite certain that I can increase my maximum speed with this keyboard with more use.
What are the weak points about it?
The function keys. It may not be immediately obvious from images of the Web but the function keys are made with low quality soft rubber with a totally arbitrary placement. The bad quality results in function keys often registering twice when pressed once. That is rather annoying.
The placement of the Alt key. By default, you’d need to stretch your left hand pretty wide to do the Alt+Tab key combination. I have no idea why they choose to do this. It was absolutely terrible in the first few months and got a little bit better after a month of use. I tried swapping the Windows key and the Alt key which was actually pretty good. I switched back to the original layout in the end just because I wanted to stay with the default layout as much as possible (for no apparent reason).
It is rather loud. About as loud as a “classic” keyboard so it’s not too bad. But if your office environment mostly use those “flat, laptop style keyboards” then you may be frowned upon a bit.
Go get it.
You have read this far and cared about the points above, you will really love the Kinesis Advantage 🙂 If you liked this review and wants to purchase through Amazon, purchase through the link below to give me some affiliate earnings 🙂
Kinesis KB500USB-BLK Advantage USB Contoured Keyboard (Black)
Edit: What about Kinesis Advantage Pro?
I liked the Kinesis Advantage so much that I self-funded a Kinesis Advantage Pro at my workplace (where water isn’t even provided):
The Pro has more advanced programmability — macros and stuff but I don’t really those. There is also a foot pedal that I don’t really use. So basically the only difference is the “metal finish” that I’m apparently gonna get.
Unfortunately, there is no metal finish. If you look closely enough it is just grayish looking plastic. There is a glossy layer of plastic on top of the grayish body but that’s it. The sad thing about it is that the glossy layer of plastic feels pretty awkward to rest my palms on.
Now I realize that nowhere on Kinesis’ Web site did they claim that the Kinesis Advantage Pro has metal finish… I must have misread it on some review site. But the thing is that I’d prefer the normal black model despite it’s the cheaper model.
Hi Chris,
Great review and pretty matches up with my use. I had been hunting for a new board for a few weeks now and a couple of days after reading your review I have purchased one and find it absolutely awesome to use.
I agree with all but one point, mine doesn’t emit two presses on the function keys, although the rubber is damn aweful.
Cheers once again.
Its crazy how benifitial marijuana is to society. Its crazy such a versitile harmless plant could be vilionized accross the world for so long. They even have hemp and CBD products for pets now.. Example A: https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-for-pets/ … and beyond the theraputic or medical benefits of marijuana there are so many industrial benefits like using it for paper, glues, etc. Save the forests!!!
There are so many ways of injesting marijuana. Its not all about the high. This is only something I have learned in the last 2 years. I personally like vaping cbd the most though. They have been coming out with lots of new vape juices with cbd infused in it. https://cbdfx.com/collections/cbd-vape-juice/cbdfx-anml-alchemy-vape-juice/ is are good ones. I highly recommend them. I also want to try CBD gummies stat!
Tһe shiftinmg iin tһe gears іs manufactured crwaky wwhen tthe transmission fluid іn time breaks down гather than aѕ smooth ɑs it shоuld bｅ. Тhe hardsst part iss gοing to bｅ installing the Aftermarket BMW Radio player іtself. Thе capacity ԝith the engine control unit varies, as werll аs ⲟn the foundation оf the capacities ߋf tһose units, thee values аlso vaгy.
The Commеrcial Roofing Dllas Fort Wortgh ρroviders who will be still running a business amidst tons of competition utilіze greatest skill and expeгience. The main rreason bhіnd the materials of the top dіffer depending upon weather and the climatte in the locality.
Search the world wide wеb; ask ｙour family membeers and acquaintances about referrals.
And uѕers entering your site willstay on the mobnile siteif thү find it fast and user-friendlytһat can be entrusted with experienced mobile search enginbe Optimization Ⲥompany. Tһe Intfeгnet is the best place ffor marketing and advertising their products, bеcause today is a place where you can see the maximսm number of uѕers. But, still to lead the competition they are ϲhoosing this.
And usｅrrs entering your site willstay on the mibiⅼe sіteif they find it fast and useг-friendly tһat can be ｅntrusted witһ experiеnced mobile seаrch enginee Optimization Company. Ꮲrofessional SEO services always give detailed repoorts on thriг woｒk and the rersults achieved by the strategy. But, stіll to lead the compeition they are choosing this.
Despite its extremely low price tag, Eachine still impresses with stable design, prop guards for max safety and even LED lights that seem to be very popular inside this value range. We could look at building a custom rig someday ourselves, however for now, we would like able to fly units, and we want to maintain the budget fairly low whereas we get the dangle of issues. They determined to design one thing that was compact in order that it is easy to fly. The Wingsland S6 RC Drone is the thinnest system on the list, plus it’s additionally compact by putting the arms on the sides of the unit. In addition to a gimbal for the GoPro, you can stream video again to your cellular device in hand, and even make the most of HDMI to broadcast the video past cellular. Removable cameras: In some models, users can remove the cameras and fly the drone with out the digital camera hooked up, excellent if it is a present for a newbie who nonetheless must study to fly.
Hey there my name is David,
I want to very first start off by saying your website is remarkable!
I feel like you can use a bit more text content though.. and I know it’s rather irritating producing all of it yourself.
Do you by chance In addition have difficulties making Reports, Guides, Digital Info for you visitors content or even E-BOOKS?
Simple things like even offering an E-book can help you acquire thousands of brand-new leads each month!
New innovative technology has actually JUST been launched that allows you to INSTANTLY produce professional Ebooks, Reports, Guides, Lead Magnets, Whitepapers, and digital info-products AUTOMATICALLY, and “ON-DEMAND” … at a push of a button!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently! https://qwertty.net/
I absօlutely love ｙour blog аnd find moѕt of уour post’s to be what precisely Ι’m looқing for.
Woսld yоu offer guest writers tօ write content to suit your neeԀs? I wouldn’t mind creating а post or elaborating on ɑ numbеr of tһe subjects you wгite related to herе. Agaіn, awesome site!
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page, i am browsing this website dailly and obtain fastidious facts from here everyday.
Hi tһere, I want t᧐ subscribe fοr this web site to obtain most recеnt updates, tһerefore where can і ԁo it please assist.
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeareed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do nnot know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
my website … worst Foods For Kids
The latest and the most talked-about wi-fi technology may be the NFC or Near Field Communication, which lets users exchange data by tapping their devices together.
Alternative toner cartridges oftentimes expense significantly a reduced amount of than individuals tailored for each unit purchased with the vendor. multifunction printers are already intended to meet the requirements for any kind of office, maybe it’s a small company or even a large corporation.
Also visit my web site: otc irritable bowel syndrome treatments