Mistel MD770 RGB BT

I think the size of this keyboard is about perfect. You only add one regular key worth of width to maintain your general navigation like paging, arrows, home, end, etc. You also keep the function row which is used fairly heavy in some applications. The split is nice for maintaining a more relaxed posture while typing, as is the small amount of "tenting" you can add with the included rubber feet. It has a few nice features like being able to change the caps-lock key's function with DIP switches on the bottom, as well as reprogramming layers if you really want to customize things for a particular workflow. The keycaps are really nice; I'd see no reason to change them out unless you really hate the styling. The LED effects are fairly subtle since the keycaps are solid and not transparent, but they are still enjoyable. Adapting to the layout and split took me maybe a day before I was fine with it (coming from recently using a full keyboard). The downsides with getting this board are minor. There is no GUI for editing layouts/layers like on other more expensive boards, so it might be a bit of a task to get things just right for you on one of the customizable layers. I don't need anything changed from the default keyboard layout personally, so this isn't a big deal to me. The cherry silent switches are a bit "scratchy", but I do like how quiet they are. Screwing on the rubber feet for tenting was kind of rough since it felt like they weren't pre-threaded well enough to get them on without extra force. Overall I recommend this keyboard as an awesome choice for someone looking to change to a split design. It's not so far out there that the learning curve will be irritating if you just start using it regularly, nor does it require learning a bunch of function toggle keys. At the same time it's different enough to feel like you're moving into that "craft keyboard" territory as well as getting ergonomic benefits. I have one board more "specialized" than this Mistel board and feel like it would have been better to start here. It's just so much more intuitive as an incremental step than going all out on something radically different.

Very nice keyboard, split design so it's ergonomic. Pros: Split design, good for shoulder and wrists. Keycaps can be replaced. Very versatile LED control. The DIP switches can swap the alt and option key, but in MAC settings this can be done with the keyboard modifier settings. Can connect to several devices with bluetooth and switch between them. Cons: Could be completely wireless. Bluetooth earphones work together and are completely wireless. Battery life could be longer. Mines lasts only 2 days with LED function on. Looking forward to version 2, completely wireless and super long battery life.

Update: My review is still valid, but I wanted to provide an update about the battery. I finally got annoyed enough with the battery life to contact Mistel Support (my keyboard is still under warranty). WOW. I wish I had contacted them sooner, as I would not have annoyed myself so much. Their support jumped to help me. They immediately acknowledged the problem and said they would resolve it. The sent me a shipping label, and had me send it in for repair. They paid shipping both directions. I was kept updated on the status. I have had it back for 2 weeks now, and my keyboard has been perfect. Thank you Mistel Support. Specifically Chris and Luka. You were great. Review increased from 4 to 5 stars. Original review: This is the second Mistel split ergonomic keyboard I have owned. I loved my first one so much, i bought this one for my office computer. The first one was wired, which was fine for home. But for work, I wanted wireless. The layout is outstanding, and I never find myself having to deal with odd finger contortions that happen with some ergonomic keyboards. I went with the Cherry Brown keyswitches which I find to have pleasant resistance, tactile feedback, and snappy response (some people prefer the Cherry Red, but not me). Connecting via Bluetooth to my computer was no problem, and the connection is reliable. Overall, I like this keyboard and will continue to use it but I do have one MAJOR issue. The battery life is the worst I have ever come across on any keyboard EVER. To put that statement into perspective, I have purchased an average of 3 keyboard per year for the past 20 years. I love trying out different keyboards. I turn off the RGB (it only comes with an RGB option). They claim that this is Bluetooth v5 but I question their implementation. BT5 is a very low power draw, yet this battery cannot last 2 full days (my Keychron BT keyboard went 3 months before needing to be recharged, used in an identical fashion). So, there is either a severe Firmware flaw or they have have severely undersized the battery. If you want a high quality BT keyboard and don't mind plugging in every day to recharge it, this is a good option. But if that constant need to recharge is a problem for you, and you would prefer to go wired then go with the Mistel BAROCCO MD770 TKL (there is an RGB version of it if RGB matters to you), or the KINESIS Freestyle2 (if you prefer a membrane keyboard). Both are just as nice, will cost less, and won't pretend to be a wireless product.

Expensive product with poor battery life and poor connectivity. I often need to spend more than 10 minutes and try several times for it to connect. Absolutely horrible.