Today I will be looking at TypeMatrix Ez-Reach 2030 Keyboard. This keyboard’s layout is much more different than any other keyboards that you can find on the market. Check out a this short video of the keyboard, that shows you what has changed between the standard keyboards and the TypeMatrix Ez-Reach 2030 Keyboard.
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Today I will be looking at TypeMatrix Ez-Reach 2030 Keyboard. This keyboard’s layout is much more different than any other keyboards that you can find on the market. Check out a this short video of the keyboard, that shows you what has changed between the standard keyboards and the TypeMatrix Ez-Reach 2030 Keyboard.
Features:
Comprehensive Ergonomic Design
The TypeMatrix significantly reduces the motions known to cause typing injuries.
Matrix Architecture
Straight vertical key columns increase typing accuracy.
Large Shift Keys
Accuracy is increased and stressful wrist motions are reduced.
Large CenterEnter, CenterBackspace, and CenterTab Keys
Easy access is supported while stressful motions are decreased.
Close Mouse Location
Minimal reach for mouse reduces arm and shoulder stress.
Small Size (14" x 7" x 1/2")
Short footprint allows keyboard and mouse to fit in keyboard trays.
Light weight and sturdy structure promotes portability.
Thin profile provides for a more neutral wrist posture
Sleek, compact design creates more available prime desk space.
High-Quality Key Touch
Membrane technology with "double-scissor" substrate producing smooth, quiet, responsive touch.
Enhanced NumPad Overlay
Full-function num pad includes convenient spreadsheet keys.
Dvorak Key
The one-touch key switch to "Dvorak" enables 50% less finger motion.
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The cover for the Keyboard in my opinion is not that great. It is only a White Box with the TypeMatrix Title on it. This is how it looks inside, and it shows how it is protected with the foam covering and around the keyboard.
Features Continued:
Small Size
• Smallest keyboard with full-sized keys and complete functionality
• Footprint – 12.75w"x5.5h"x.5d"
• Fits over notebook keypads without covering the touch pad
• Mouse close to the right hand
• Portable – fits easily in briefcase, notebook case, backpack
• Flat – sleek – lightweight
Intuitive Design
• Grid layout – easy to learn and easy on the fingers, hands, arms
• Logical, modular design
• Large Shift, Backspace, Enter keys
• Less reaching to frequently used keys and mouse
• Calculator-style Number Pad
• Tactile feedback on keys - ridges and bumps
• Color-coded for easy use
• PS/2 Connecter
Ergonomic Solutions
• Prevents typing injuries
• Reduces or eliminates existing typing symptoms
• 90% of users get complete or significant reduction of pain
• Switchable to Dvorak layout (50% less finger travel)
• Keyboard and typist centered on monitor
• Terrific design for programmers and power users
Specifications for TypeMatrix keyboard:
• PC Compatible (Mac and Sun compatible with included USB adapter. For maximum compatibility we recommend purchasing the Belkin USB adapter - see the order page)
• 5” cord with PS/2 connector. USB converter (with 2 available PS/2 ports) included!
• Plug ”n Play
• Standard size keys - 19mm.
• Key switch - High quality membrane technology with "double-scissors" mechanism beneath each keycap that distributes the force evenly over the entire keycap.
• Key switch lifecycle - 10 million strokes
• Key travel - 3.0 mm ± 0.5 mm
• Key force - 55 gm ± 10 gm
• Measurements: 14" x 7" x 1/2"
• Weight : 1 lb. 9 oz.
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Here is a picture of the whole keyboard from a slight angle. You can see that it is a really think keyboard compared to other keyboards. It is also much more compact, and some keys are overlaid, which means that you have to use the Function key to enable them.
Modular Design:
In addition to the left and right hand modules, separated by the center Backspace and Enter keys, the EZR 2030-US contains the following 5 modules.
MODULE 1: The A-Z typing module
This is the complete and standard version of the A-Z keypad layout modified into the more logical and ergonomic matrix design, available in Qwerty or Dvorak.
MODULE 2: The left control module
This module contains:
Left Ctrl-Alt-Shift - the main modifiers for keyboard shortcuts
Function – while depressed, all blue-labeled keys are activated
Start – same as Windows key
Apps – same as the other Windows key
Shuffle – toggles between the last two opened applications
• Hold shuffle and use tab to select from all opened applications
MODULE 3: The right control module
This module contains:
Num – locks the Num Pad and alternative cursor keys into activation
Function – duplicate of the lower left Function key
Backspace – duplicate of the Center Backspace key
Delete – located on home row, tactile bump, colored for easy detection
Enter – duplicate for center Enter
Right Ctrl-Alt-Shift-Insert modifiers –
• Shift + Delete = cut
• Ctrl + Insert = copy
• Shift + Insert = paste
MODULE 4: The cursor control module
This module contains:
Inverted “T” arrow keys – with tactile bump on the down arrow
Pg Up / Pg Dn – easily accessible for editing
Home / End – easily accessible for editing
• Ctrl + Home – beginning of document
• Ctrl + End – end of document
MODULE 5: The embedded Num Pad module
This module is a calculator-style Num Pad ( with “00” and “=”).
The inverted “T” arrow and Home/End keys work with the Num Pad.
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Here is a close-up of the side panel of the keyboard that has these four features. I think it is really nice for the people that do not use the QWERT layout can use the DVORAK layout. You can get extra covers for the keyboard that allows you to have the DVORAK layout on your keyboard. Although, I do not really like the cover sheet that is over the side panel, because over time it starts bubbling up, and this makes it look ugly. After you try to push out the bubbles, they will leave, but it will leave ugly lines after that. Over time the bubbles will come back eventually.
Here is another close-up of the Keyboard that shows you that you have to use the Fn (Function) key to use some of the functions on the keyboard that are compressed together for smaller space.
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This picture shows you the bottom part of the keyboard. It has a really nice glosy finish to it. One turndown for this keyboard is that it does not have stands. For some people that like to use stands, this won”t be good. Another problem that I have noticed was, that over use, the screws from the bottom will fall out. You have to make sure that they stay in. An advantage in this keyboard is that it has soft rubber stands, that won”t scratch the surface and it overlays the laptop keyboard if you wish to use it on a laptop.
On this picture, you can see the cable that TypeMatrix included with this keyboard. In my opinion it comes really handy if you do not like to plug in too many cables into your computer, and since it is a USB interface, you have a fast connection, and also you can connect it to any USB connector on your computer. Another advantage is that you can use this keyboard and also attach a mouse to your Laptop computer if you wish to.
Testing Configuration:
CPU: Intel Pention 4 Prescott - 3.4Ghz
MB: ASUS P5ND2-SLI Deluxe Intel Edition
DDR: PQI 2 x 1024MB Dual-Channel 667 DDR2 Memory - 4-4-4-4-15
GFX: 2x XFX Geforce 7900 GT 450M 256MB DDR3
HDD: Hitachi 160GB SATAII 3.0
DVDRW: Sony CD/DVD-RW Dual-Layer
PSU: Mushkin XP-650 Enhanced Power Supply
CASE: Just PC Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
COOLING: 80mm fan in front, 120mm fan in back, and stock cooling for CPU and VGA.
Conclusion:
Over weeks of practicing and getting used to the new keyboard, I have noticed that you can gain some speed on this keyboard compared to the other standard keyboards, however I seem to have more typos (errors) on this keyboard than on the standard one. I have also noticed several major problems with this keyboard, which caused my system to act weird. When I would press a button it would start bringing up option menus that I don”t even know how to get to.
It is really hard to get used to the new interface. It took me hours till I finally knew how to use it and know where each button is. I really don”t like the function key though. I know that TypeMatrix wants to keep the keyboard as small as possible as well as keep it nice organized, but when you have to use the Function key, that slows you down a lot.
If you are a hardcore gamer, I do not recommend this keyboard. This keyboard is created for office work mainly, and not gaming. It is intended for some gaming, but it does not work very well. Some games do not recognize the keyboard, and this makes it hard to play a game. Also there are errors that can happen during games, like for example the keys won”t function or it would do something that you don”t want.
One thing that really annoys me about this keyboard is that sometimes the computer gets a bad signal from the keyboard and this makes it write something that you don”t even want to. Sometimes even when the button is not pressed, the keyboard key will act like it is stuck and it is not possible to stop it unless you unplug your keyboard from the USB port.
Overall I would rate this keyboard: 5/10 It’’s an OK keyboard, but not the best. This keyboard definitely needs work.
Pros:
- Nice Looking and cool new Interface.
- Reduces wrist and hand injuries, and faster typing.
- Nice glossy finish on the bottom of the keyboard, and good soft rubber stands that do not scratch the surface.
- Really soft keys, and really quiet, which allows smooth typing.
- Really thin compared to other standard keyboards.
- Can be used on Laptops, and has a USB converter connector.
- Dvorak Possibility
Cons:
- Sometimes Functions in a way as it should not.
- Keys get stuck even if you are not pressing the button and cannot be stopped till you unplug it from the computer.
- Not intended for Gaming.
- Screws on the bottom get unscrewed over time.
- The left side Panel gets scratched and bubbles occur.
- Function Key slows you down dramatically.
- The Box, or Covering is not really special, just a white box.
- Hard getting used to the new layout.
For more information check the TypeMatrix website.
Review written by Peter Kapas.
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