Lite

Nice review! You really cover everything, and I agree with you on the placement of the arrow keys being awkward. It's the main reason I wouldn't consider the QK Alice Duo or NocFree Lite. I also wonder why so many QMK keyboards continue to come with VIA instead of VIAL. I'd guess that someone has al

Going to a full split keyboard where you can adjust how far apart your hands are is the right way to go! NocFree Lite/&, Keychron Q11, Keeb.io's Sinc/Quefrency, Epomaker Split65/Split70, GMK70, Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB+ (skip the Freestyle 2), Royal Kludge RKS70, UHK, Dygma Raise 2, and there are

If your goal is to get keyboard that provides some legit ergonomic value skip Alice layout boards and other one-piece keyboards like mWave, etc... just get a full split. Here are a couple row-staggered split options: NocFree Lite/&, Keychron Q11, Keeb.io's Sinc/Quefrency, Epomaker Split65/Split70, G

If your pain is killing you and you need something immediately and you are leaning NocFree you might also consider the NocFree Lite. It is a lot like the NocFree & but it has standard hotswappable mx switches (instead of the low profile ones) and it seems to be shipping now. Very good reviews for Q1

There are plenty that have tried ergo column stagger splits and decided they didn't like them. I highly recommend a row staggered split instead of Alice. NocFree Lite, NocFree &, Epomaker Split65 and Split70, Zuoya GMK70, Keeb.io's Quefrency and Sinc, Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB+, UHK, and even more

Is the keyboard programmable? I recently got a NocFree Lite which is a 65-key. I was worried about the adjustment as I use a numpad often for work, but I reaaally wanted a mechanical, hot-swappable, split keyboard and the NocFree checked so many of my boxes. Thankfully the NocFree is programmable wi

I use a Zuoya GMK70. It's a barebones that I got from AliExpress. No built-in tenting, but it's got a flat bottom so it's easy to add your own feet. For more options, check out YellowAfterlife's fantastic searchable index. If you click on the links in the keyboard names, there are photos. https://ya

No worries at all. The Nocfree Lite is plug-and-play and prebuilt, no soldering or such needed. Though it's a hotswap board, meaning that you can change the switches and keycaps to anything you like. To change the keycaps and switches, you will need some sort of a tool, I personally use something li

I just want to add that the NocFree Lite is a great option if the budget can be stretched. I didn't realize that it doesn't need a cable between the halves, so I left it out of my comment since it's more expensive than the Split65 and GMK70. The funky /? key is a dealbreaker for me personally, so I'

I use a row-staggered Zuoya GMK70. Per my other comment, I really struggled to learn column stagger while staying proficient with row stagger, so this is a better solution for me. I'd be more concerned about ditching row stagger if I had issues with my fingers, but the split is more important to me