Battery life: Single battery charge should exceed 300 hours of actual typing or at least six months of use at 2 hours of typing per day Quiet, Tactile Key Switches: The Freestyle2 features quiet, low-force, tactile membrane keyswitches. Rated at 10 million actuations the keyswitches on the Freestyle2 require only 45 grams of force, significantly reducing the effort required to activate each key and below that of most common keyboards and even below that of many other advertised ergonomic models. Embedded Numeric Keypad: In place of the separate numeric keypad found on traditional keyboards (which places the mouse outside of the comfort zone for right-handed individuals) the Freestyle2 provides a numeric keypad embedded into the right-hand module as a second layer. Along with the number keys on the top row of the keyboard, this embedded number pad is an effective option for numeric input. ( Note: Standalone numeric keypads are available as optional accessories for those whose work involves numeric data entry. Look for these in the Numeric Keypads category.) Place the mouse on the side of your dominant hand. For most people, the compact design of the keyboard will bring the mouse close enough to the body. However, if your pain is more severe, you can prevent even more movement at the affected shoulder by positioning the mousing side of the keyboard closer to the centre of your body, and then turning it slightly so that your arm can remain perpendicular as you type. You will then be able to reach the mouse with very limited involvement of the shoulder muscles. Press the ‘Fn’ key and see if the LED light turns on or not. If the light turns on, it indicates power is received. If the LED is not turning on, that indicates a physical problem with the keyboard

From here, we followed the instructions in the provided instructional pamphlet and enabled Bluetooth on our iPad. After about a minute of scanning, the Kinesis KB800MB-BT keyboard appeared as an available device. We simply tapped to connect. From here, it prompted us to input a numeric code and press return. Once we’d done this, setup was complete. Low-force, tactile key switches - The Freestyle2 utilizes a quiet, low-force, tactile membrane key switch. The typical average maximum key force of a switch is 45 grams. This is at least 25% less than most traditional and many ergonomic keyboards such as the Microsoft 4000 with maximum key forces of over 60 grams.

Compact Design: Unlike a ‘conventional’ keyboard, there is no number pad that is located to the right of the lettered keys on the Kinesis. I think that this is desirable for most of the working population, let me explain… The hot-keys on the left side of the Freestyle2 will only work with the specific operating system it was designed for. One of the most versatile keyboards currently manufactured, the Freestyle2 is an adjustable, separated keyboard offering considerable ergonomic benefits. The Freestyle2 Keyboard is divided into two separate modules connected by either a 9" (the most common) or 20" cable. This separation enables individuals to position the left and right sides of the keyboard shoulder width apart, allowing the shoulders, elbows, arms and wrists to relax in an anatomically neutral position. This greatly improves posture and blood flow in the upper body, prevents undesirable rotation at the shoulders, and eliminates ulnar deviation at the wrist. Was to be an upgrade over my 'go to' Microsoft ergonomic keyboard. It was time to get a little more serious about wrist health. I don't have an issue like I did more than a decade ago where I headed off an potential RSI situation with my wrists and hands starting to tingle and hurt. Important to me: ergonomic is #1. And part of that includes NOT having a numeric keypad attached. It means I have to over-reach and take my hands off the keyboard to use my mouse which slows me down. I've used the Microsoft Sculpt and loved it -- that is, until the doggle (?, the USB thing you plug into your computer) stopped communicating to the keyboard. So I bought another one. Except the new one had the same problem the old one developed after several years of great use. So I returned it.

Let’s talk about ‘ergonomic’ keyboards. What makes a product ergonomic? Well in my opinion it needs to be fully adaptable/adjustable to the user. In other words it needs to fit the user (not the other way around). Historically there has been a lot of ergonomic issues with a ‘conventional’ keyboard. Generally speaking these include mousing too wide due to the location of the keyboard’s number pad; a lot of force required to type; and a general design that is not aligned with what us as humans are designed to do. So, let’s get into the review! REVIEW OF THE KINESIS FREESTYLE 2 KEYBOARD The guarantee is conditional in that it covers normal use and that misuse has not taken place and that the final decision rests with Online Ergonomics Ltd, their component and fabric suppliers. The guarantee is conditional on the chair being returned to Online Ergonomics Ltd for assessment.Use with or without the pivot/tether. The pivot tether connects the two keying modules of the Freestyle2 keyboard together. Disconnect the pivot tether if greater separation is required.