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Dactyl-ManuForm

The Dactyl-ManuForm keyboard.

Dactyl-ManuForm Keyboard

Overview

The Dactyl-ManuForm is an innovative fork of the original Dactyl keyboard, designed to enhance ergonomic typing experiences. This parameterized, split-hand, concave, and columnar keyboard aims to reduce strain and improve overall comfort during prolonged use. With its unique design principles, the Dactyl-ManuForm embraces the needs of typists who prioritize health and efficiency.

Design and Layout

The Dactyl-ManuForm features a sculpted, scooped design that cradles the hands, promoting a natural hand position. It consists of 66 keys organized in a 5-row by 6-column matrix, allowing for efficient key placement. Each split half of the keyboard includes six thumb keys, encouraging ergonomic thumb usage. The symmetry of the halves contributes to its overall aesthetic and functional consistency, making it visually appealing while retaining usability. The columnar layout ensures that the fingers are aligned with the natural positions of the fingertips, thereby reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries.

Features

One of the standout features of the Dactyl-ManuForm is its support for Cherry MX mechanical switches, allowing users to customize their feel and response according to preference. The keyboard is fully open-sourced under the AGPL-3.0 license, granting users the freedom to modify and improve the design. Connectivity is achieved via a TRRS cable linking the two halves, with a USB-C connection to the host device, promoting reliable and fast communication. Users can also refer to the comprehensive build guide available on GitHub, which aids in the assembly and customization process.

An image showing the wiring during the build process of the Dactyl-ManuForm keyboard. Licensed under AGPL-3.0. Image Source

Buy or Build

The Dactyl-ManuForm is not a traditional commercial product; rather, it encourages users to build their own versions. This DIY approach allows for customization in terms of switches, keycaps, and additional features, aligning with the maker community’s ethos of tailoring devices to personal needs. For those who may not be experienced in electronics or woodworking, purchasing pre-made kits from various online suppliers can be a viable option, though they may vary in specifications and features.

An image showing the wiring of the Dactyl-ManuForm keyboard. Licensed under AGPL-3.0. Image Source

Similar Keyboards

Keyboards similar to the Dactyl-ManuForm keyboard include:

  • Dactyl: The Dactyl is a parameterized, split-hand, concave, columnar, ergonomic keyboard.
  • Colosseum: The Colosseum60 is a scooped split keyboard with a columnar key layout.
  • Dactyl ManuForm Tight Keyboard: This variant of the Dactyl-ManuForm is designed to be as compact around the keys as possible.

For additional information on the Dactyl-ManuForm keyboard, you can visit the Dactyl-ManuForm GitHub page or check out the build guide for detailed assembly instructions.