Image: Epomaker
As an afficionado of all things mechanical keyboard, I’ve seen a few wild designs in my time. But I’ve never seen a commercial keyboard brand make something quite so unique or charming as this.
Epomaker’s newest design is a full split ergonomic keyboard that’s all wireless and all wood. It’s also expensive — the complete set with a wireless numpad and wrist rests will cost $549.
But dang it if that might actually be justified in this case. The Epomaker x Feker Alice 60 Wood keyboard’s body and keycaps are all made of 100 percent real dead tree. It looks like the legends are even using wood inlay with either a different wood or a different stain for contrast.
And the beauty isn’t just skin-deep. It’s rocking triple-mode wireless (multi-device Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless) for all three separate panels, gasket mounting for a “bouncy” typing feel, and the all-important hot-swap switch sockets for maximum customization.
Epomaker
If $549 seems like a lot to pay for a keyboard… well, it is. But in the context of super-premium, custom mechanical designs, it’s not actually that insane. I’ve put about $500 worth of parts (and probably at least that much in my own labor hours) into a single custom keyboard before.
And wood keycap sets and keyboard bodies are understandably expensive if you get them custom-made. Here’s a $900 one on Etsy with perfect five-star reviews. Consider that Razer asks for $350 for its most expensive gaming keyboard, with a near-useless screen and zero wood, and this doesn’t seem too bad at all.
That said, I should also tell you that split keyboard users are a very particular bunch, and might not appreciate every design decision here. When asked for a quote, my coworker and split keyboard expert Alaina Yee offered, “Where tf is my tenting?” (She’s talking about add-on tools that let you adjust the vertical angle of the keyboard in one or more directions.) And if you’re asking for a ton of money for a split keyboard that claims to be ergonomic, that’s a fair question.
If you’re okay with a paucity of particular positioning powers, the Epomaker x Feker Alice 60 Wood is up for pre-order now and will ship in late December this year.
Author: Michael Crider, Staff Writer, PCWorld
Michael is a 10-year veteran of technology journalism, covering everything from Apple to ZTE. On PCWorld he’s the resident keyboard nut, always using a new one for a review and building a new mechanical board or expanding his desktop “battlestation” in his off hours. Michael’s previous bylines include Android Police, Digital Trends, Wired, Lifehacker, and How-To Geek, and he’s covered events like CES and Mobile World Congress live. Michael lives in Pennsylvania where he’s always looking forward to his next kayaking trip.
Recent stories by Michael Crider:
Mokibo Fusion review: A bad keyboard and a bad touchpad in oneLemokey X0 keypad review: A great add-on for any PC gamerRazer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75% review: Keyboards don’t need screens
