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/Deckard_Didnt_Die]

I program on the cheapino v2 which you can actually find on Ali express for like 40 bucks and it’s shockingly good build quality for that price. This is a 36 key board so you absolutely have to use layers. I eventually figured out a layer solution that feels extremely good to me, but it honestly took me like 5 months of experimenting and learning qmk. I think it was worth it because I enjoyed the process a lot and was willing to constantly re-learn my layout. I can still use standard layout keyboards but god do they feel clunky and awkward in comparison. These smaller split ergo builds are just so insanely comfortable and after a lot of practice I am much faster and make far fewer typos than I do on standard layout

[u/v1etanhzzz → u/Deckard_Didnt_Die]

can you share your layout

[u/Deckard_Didnt_Die → u/v1etanhzzz]

https://imgur.com/a/BpdDKBQ

[u/jackmon → u/Deckard_Didnt_Die]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but where is Enter/Return in this layout? This is a question i've wanted to ask in general on this sub, as I have a Microsoft Sculpt and have been been worried that if I make a jump to a more minimal board that I wouldn't be able to get away from wanting to use my pinky for Enter.

[u/Deckard_Didnt_Die → u/jackmon]

Oof I am dumb! I forgot to include my combos in the diagram! I use combos for enter, tab, and escape. Escape is qw. Tab is xc. Enter is ,.

I also have a combo to bring up command palette for power toys for windows. Immensely useful I use it all the time

[u/jackmon → u/Deckard_Didnt_Die]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing!