ProtoArc Bluetooth Ergonomic Keyboard, Wireless Split Keyboard with Separate Number Pad, Dual Bluetooth and USB, Hard Wrist Rest, Rechargeable for Windows/Mac/Android

Comfy keyboard with setup flexibility
ProtoArc makes great equipment, I’ve had a few of their different keyboards and mice in the past and they rarely miss. This one is no exception. Their agronomical setup is super comfortable, allowing you to lift either the front of back of the keyboard depending on personal comfort/needs. It did take a little time to get used to the angles of the keys the first time, but it’s so much better for my wrists that I struggle with a standard keyboard anymore.I love having a full size keyboard but don’t always need the number pad. There are times it’s super helpful though so I always get a keyboard with it. I love this option, because I can hide the number pad away in a drawer and just pull it out as needed without worrying about extra setup or connections. This could potentially also be a great benefit to left-handers in case that works better for you as well.Battery life on this seems super solid so far. My previous ProtoArc keyboard needs charged maybe one or twice a year with daily work use? All parts charge via USB-C so it’s easy to have cables and chargers around when you need it, and you can still use it while plugged in (crazy thought, huh Apple?) so no worries if you are running out of juice in the middle of the day.Keys are easy to strike and don’t make too much noise but still have a natural click to them. No issues with double keys or constantly missing the buttons I need.No backlighting on this, which some people love but isn’t a necessary feature for me, so I’m good.Clean color on the silver/black version I picked out. They also have a blue which was a bit more bright than I’d prefer but it’s great that there are choices for all different tastes!The one downside is that ProtoArc devices aren’t necessarily the cheapest option out there. But they are durable, easy to use and clean, the ergonomic options save tones of wear and tear on your joints, and they offer a ton of connectivity flexibility. If they fit your budget, they are actually worthy of the price tag, but I can understand that they may be pricing themselves out of some customer bases.Overall, this is a really nice keyboard set. My one complaint is that they don’t give you the ability to combine devices onto their USB dongles for wireless connectivity, so if you want a ProtoArc mouse to go with this, you’ll need to eat up two USB ports on your machine. If they can put together a pairing software for their dongles like Logitech has, they’ll be absolutely perfect in my eyes!

Wow! The palm-rest ends up being a crucial factor; now I understand the “wave” shaped ergo keyboards
I recall seeing ergonomic keyboards where the centermost letters are raised, giving a slope like this product – on Microsoft’s 1998 or so introduction – I may have encountered them once or twice, but never owned one and never could discern why it would be better ergonomically. With the ergonomic (vertical) mice, the improvement isn’t usually felt right away, and new users could find them difficult. Same can be said for ergonomic keyboards like my ProtoArc XK-03 foldable ergonomic keyboard – when you’re accustomed to it the benefit is less stress and ache on the finger muscles over hours of continuous / high speed typing. When I let other people use my computer who haven’t used them, it can get frustrating – and still I recommend it as a great product. But THIS ergonomic full-sized keyboard with the palmrest built-in is AMAZING – right away it felt natural and easier, far more effortless compared to the Apple Magic Keyboard non-ergonomic standard layout (which doesn’t usually bother me). I’ve never known that palm rests could make all the difference, because that padded part is where all my weight is resting, on my palms. This is excellent!Bluetooth connection was instant once I remembered to choose either the middle or right-side of the 3 yellow buttons – I’ve had so many portable keyboards with three bluetooth device buttons that I was pressing the left-most yellow button (which is for the included Wifi receiver).The split configuration of having the keypad as an optional, independent modular-like component of the keyboard is a solid win. I’d never before realized its a good solution to my situation – I do all of my audio recording and production work from my home studio and there desktop space is at a premium because I want to maximize available space for (piano-style) keyboard controllers, other knobs, button, sliders controls, etc – no need for a number pad on this desk – UNLESS I’m working-from-home (which I do sporadically), and for the Excel-heavy work I do professionally the keypad is a must for efficiency and convenience. Ta-da I just take it out of the drawer! I find it funny that it has its own set of buttons for device selection, but also there could be situations when I could want to use that keypad independently, such as for its duplicated arrow keys and numpad keys – from my sofa when I’m further from the desk, for instance. And not often, but occasionally , I’ve wanted a keypad ; but not enough that I wanted to buy an external, dedicated keypad. Purchase of this keyboard, I suppose, forces acquisition of such and I’m glad because now I see how helpful it can be both in a detachable sense with the main keyboard, or independently. And I don’t see numpads (without Letter keys) with palm-rests! It makes sense that it’s more ergonomic to have it like this because it’ll help this product fit to wherever you want to use it. You won’t end up regretting not getting a full-sized keyboard with an inbuilt number pad (standard 110 key layout) or if you’d opted for the less wide keyboard now common (with no numpad) – you have the best of both worlds, and if/as your space and needs change, this product will adapt.I’ll finally add that it’s been great that it works for Apple Macintosh without requiring special configuration. The first keyboard XK-01 I got from ProtoArc was the first time I saw one of these multi-device keyboards that was meant for MacOS and/or Windows, and maybe this is detected via bluetooth connection because there’s no need to set the OS for each connection like many similar products. It’s labeled neatly with the Windows name on top and the Mac name below for the Opt/Win & Cmd/Alt keys. Crucially, it even solves an issue with the XK-01 and XK-03 – on those models the those left-bottom corner buttons are labeled just like this but when connected to a Mac they don’t function as labeled – they do what a Windows keyboard would do when connected to a Mac such that the main special key used for copy is the Win/Opt key when it should be the Cmd/Alt key directly beside the spacebar to its left. Funnily, when the XK-03 connects to a iPhone or iPad it interpolates correctly and the user can use the key marked command for command , and option for option, and they’re all in the correct order from the spacebar. This product, the ergonomic desktop keyboard, is getting it correct all the way around for Macintosh computer! This is wonderful and I suppose shouldn’t be unexpected given ProtoArc’s notable attention to the details – usually I don’t see multiple products released in succession over just two years becoming significantly improved with each iteration (even while the products probably would be considered best-in-class for non-overpriced peripherals).

This keyboard has really improved my typing comfort during long workdays. The split design feels natural, and the wrist rest provides good support. I like having a separate number pad that can be placed where it’s most comfortable. Switching between Bluetooth and USB is easy, and it works well across my devices. Battery life is solid, and the keys have a nice, quiet feel.A great ergonomic upgrade.

​This set includes the main split keyboard, a separate number pad, two A to C charging cables, a thank-you card, and a manual 📋.​The build quality is exceptional ✨.The separation of the main keyboard and the number pad allows you to customize your desk layout based on your needs 😎.A 2.4GHz USB receiver is tucked behind the number pad, allowing both units to connect instantly to one PC. Alternatively, you can use Bluetooth to pair them with up to four different devices!​However, the design of the indicators is a bit flawed: the orange icons paired with white icons are hard to distinguish, and the white icons under the lights are also difficult to read against the metallic grey finish 🧐.On the plus side, the keyboard retains its settings (like Num Lock) even after being powered off and on.​Both keyboards feature a unique “front and back” kickstand design 😳. While propping both up just elevates the board, the back kickstands (on the side closest to you) are a game-changer for standing desks. They create a much more natural, ergonomic typing angle while standing 🤩.​That said, it has a steep learning curve. For me, the “tenting” angle in the center isn’t quite high enough, and the spacing between keys is wider than on standard laptops. This led to frequent typos because my fingers couldn’t quite reach where they expected the keys to be 🤨.The independent number pad is a standout, though—it can be used alone as a controller or a calculator, which is incredibly handy 💪.​While you can feel the designer’s pride in the thank-you note, the wider key spacing might be a challenge for those with smaller hands 😮‍💨.But if you have “fat fingers” or a larger hand span, this beautifully crafted keyboard is a solid choice 🥸.​Ok to buy 👌.