Kinesis Maxim Split Adjustable Keyboard (Discontinued)

It's about time I reviewed this, as it's been my keyboard for 14 years and I've recommended it countless times to my editing colleagues. I discovered it after I bought a new PC in 2000 and the keyboard had an added strip of useless (to me) gaming/surfing keys on the right, and I soon felt the strain of remote mousing in my right arm. I keep the separate numeric keypad on the left, where I can use all the navigation functions with Num Lock off, and my mouse on the right side is nice and close. When I do numeric entry (for bookkeeping) I swing the numeric pad over to the right. I use the hand rest pads (the foam is thin but adequate, and expect it to darken from the oils in your hands). My first Maxim lasted about 10 years before the right Space bar wore out, and I promptly bought another Maxim and numeric pad. Highly recommended.

Have been using this for over 3 years and totally love it. Stopped all the shoulder pain. Now I find it hard to type on a regular keyboard. With this and my vertical mouse, life is good!

I've used a Maxim for 3 years now after trying just about everything else. The key travel and "clickiness", the adjustability, the wrist rest and the layout are perfect. While $125 seems like a lot to spend, these keyboards are really built to last a *long* time.

The lack of a keypad might be an issue if you are a data entry clerk (although a separate keypad is available). But there is a reason for that: if you add that extra space, you place the mouse further away and increase the probability of shoulder problems (that's why I originally bought the kinesis - I was having shoulder problems due to mouse use too far from my body). The navigation keys on the right are actually very intuitive and I adapted to them very quickly.

I've used this keyboard for many years, since I hurt my wrists using a standard (not split or tilted) keyboard. My company would buy me any keyboard I want, and this is the one for me. Comfortable, quiet, ergonomic. My old one finally died, and I'm ordering a new one asap.

I loved the easy touch and the overall concept of the design. The adjustable split feature was great. The main problem I had, because I am a transcriptionist and used to the standard keyboard, was the keys on the right side, the insert, delete, home and end keys being repositioned. I could not get used to it. I would love to see a keyboard that has no learning curve but still has the ergonomic features the Maxim has to offer.

Lacks a number pad. Bad disadvantage. I quit using the keypad after a couple of days.

My work/job gave me one 9 years ago. Then they moved over to the GoldTouch, I didn't like it & stuck w/ the Kinesis Maxim. We've gone through 3 workstation upgrades & I always keep the Maxim & pass on the GoldTouch even though they push it hard as our standard.
I'm old school. I use the keyboard straight ...don't split it, removed the wrist-support, etc.
My love of the Maxim is due to: I like being able to Page-Up, Down, Ctlr Home & End with my right hand ... and with the left do Ctrl-Tab, Alt-Tab. This is like old-style keyboards ... except that w/ the Maxim you're able to do it with a narrower width ... priceless.

After a wrist injury and surgery, this keyboard is exactly what I needed. It allows me to reach all the keys while keeping my wrist straight.