# What good, small, light, split keyboard should I buy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 29, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-small-light-split-keyboard-should-i-buy/483535 "2009-01-29T13:35:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-small-light-split-keyboard-should-i-buy/483535/1 "2009-01-29T13:35:38Z")
I’m looking for a good keyboard that I can use with my macbook when I’m traveling. It needs to be easy to take with me, it needs to have good keys and it needs to be a split keyboard. I’m a professional programmer so I type a lot and I don’t mind spending good money on a really good keyboard. Examples of keyboards I have tried and sort of like (but are not what I want): [the original Microsoft Natural Elite](http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-A11-00337-Natural-Keyboard-Elite/dp/B0000642RX) - which is almost perfect except that the cursor keys insert/delete keys are too small and have the wrong layout. [The newer Microsoft Natural 4000](http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043) - like the Natural Elite but with decent sized keys and better layout, but the keys feel heavier. I like **light** touches. Still, this is the keyboard I switched to for my desktop machine after I wore out my last MS Natural Elite. [The IBM model-M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard) feels nice but it’s not a split keyboard and you need too much force to press the keys. I have one, but my wrists get tired after typing on it for more than an hour or so. The [Model M-15](http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/12675) might work better but is completely unavailable and would probably be MUCH too heavy to carry around. [The current apple keyboard](http://www.apple.com/keyboard/) is surprisingly good - the low-profile keys take a little getting used to but they’re very light and still accurate. But it’s not a split keyboard. Anyway, none of the shops around here actually carry anything like what I want, so I’m searching the web, which means I can’t physically try any of them. After a few hours of searching I’m currently looking at the [Goldtouch Go! Travel Keyboard](http://www.goldtouch.com/p-139-goldtouch-go-travel-keyboard.aspx) - which looks like it would be a perfect match (light, split, small), but it isn’t available yet. Also, the [Kinesis Freestyle](http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/freestyle_mac.htm) looks good, but it has no “feet” so you pay $40 extra for a bit of plastic to stand it on which also increases to total weight to 3.5 lb; more than the [standard goldtouch adjustable](http://www.goldtouch.com/p-65-goldtouch-ergonomic-adjustable-keyboard-white.aspx). Has anyone here used one of these or similar keyboards and would like to recommend (against) one? ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2009, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-small-light-split-keyboard-should-i-buy/483535/2 "2009-01-29T14:35:35Z")
> [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](#): > > [the original Microsoft Natural Elite](http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-A11-00337-Natural-Keyboard-Elite/dp/B0000642RX) - which is almost perfect except that the cursor keys insert/delete keys are too small and have the wrong layout. That is why I still use my original MS Natural non-Elite keyboard, circa 1993. You will pry that out of my cold dead hands, assuming it lives longer than me. I can’t help you on the new one. I haven’t found one that is anywhere near as good as my good ol’ MS Natural.