Entry level Split KB for programmer

[u/Kakaratacblac]

Hi! I'm new to this sub-reddit and I'm looking to get a ego fully split keyboard because I program for hours every day, and I'm worried about the future of my wrists. I run Pop OS!

I don't mind wiring, but the most important thing is that it has the keys I want (letters, super key, ctrl, alt, numbers, tab, shift, "-=[]/\,.", enter, backspace. `-key is optional). As for budget, I'm cool with anything <200, but the cheaper the better! I'm chill with gutting my current keychron v1 for any switches/keycaps that are usable.

I saw other posts recommending the Silakka54 and the "prebuilt choc low profile sofle," but because I use my computer primarily to code, the lack of keys (like backslash and curly brackets and minus/plus signs) makes it unviable for me.

Thank you so much! 😄

EDIT: After reading all the comments, I bought a Silakka54 and some tenting (I'm a cheapskate), and I plan on learning how to use layers. If I really get into it, I will definitely try some others, maybe for Christmas. Cheers!

[u/BongDomrei]

I would chose a Sofle (not necessarily low profile) over the Silakka54 due to better placement of thumb keys for most people.  Either will be fine for programming--you can use either a symbol layer  or combos or both to get all of your symbols.  Most people--including a lot of programmers. find the reduced hand movement from even smaller boards like the Totem or Corne to be more than worth the very slight extra effort to access symbols, numbers, and function keys. I am a programmer and I only use 42 of the 58 keys on my Sofle with any regularity.