Closer Examination

As we noted before, the Reduced Reach Right Handed keyboard from Evoluent is more of a 95% form-factor keyboard as a result of the Home-Pd Dn cluster being reduced to a single line by the arrow keys, which are bunched up with the bulk of the alphanumeric block itself. This further reduces the width of the keyboard, which helps with the reduced reach aspect here, but the biggest contributor is of course the move of the Num Pad to the left side. Also take note of the additional row above the function key row that has dedicated keys for various Windows OS task shortcuts: Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Web, Email, Computer, Previous, Play, Next, Volume -, Volume +, Mute, Sleep, and Shut Down. As such, we have dedicated media keys as well as some very useful actions most office workers use a lot of the time.

The keyboard still has a very low profile despite all this, which is due to the use of scissor switches. As such, this is currently my lightest and lowest-profile full-size keyboard, and portability is a real breeze if you are looking for a keyboard to carry around.

Moving the Num Pad to the left also means the Home-Pg Dn cluster, which generally is present also over the secondary functions on the number keys, is now on either side of the keyboard instead of having its keys right next to each others. This does make a lot more sense and allows both hands to be close to these keys as well, and the presence of a Shift key on either side helps keep the same functionality as with a standard 104-key full size keyboard layout, though it is more balanced out. The more I think about it, the more I want to see left-sided Num Pads.

There are three indicator LEDs at the top, and the rest of the keyboard is fairly straightforward. Note that there are secondary legends on several keys here, and the font and positioning of the legends is pretty good, although singular legends such as on the alpha keys could have been larger and more centrally located given there is no backlighting on the keyboard.


Not much to see on the back aside from the QC sticker and FCC certification label, which also has the serial number for the keyboard. There are four rubber pads on the corners to help prevent the keyboard from moving around on your desk, but there are no case feet to help elevate the keyboard. I understand that a flat profile is better for ergonomics relative to straight up elevation, so I will give this a pass here, although studies show that a customized tilt/tent feature is even better and suits users more.

There is a signature etched into the back for some reason, and without any real information on whose it is or why it is there, it does come off as confusing instead. A quick Google search did confirm that Jack Lo was the inventor behind their popular VerticalMouse, and presumably behind the design of this keyboard as well, but they need to do a better job of getting the point across here. The keyboard has a non-detachable 6' cable that terminates in a male Type-A USB connector. All you need is USB 2.0 here since there is really nothing else to power aside from the keyboard functionality itself.


Here is where we really see how low-profile this keyboard is - for context, I have my 9 mm high phone next to it. The keycaps have a sculpted top surface and are similar in size and spacing to most standard membrane keyboards, so these will feel more comfortable to type on relative to most other scissor switch keyboards. Scissor switches have two diagonal plastic pieces that clip into the keycap and either end of the switch base, so when you press down, the two open outward like a pair of scissors opening fully. Evoluent has also added a rubber dome that provides tactile feedback when fully depressed, such that the scissor switches make contact with the metal plate that actuates the keystroke. The keycaps are ABS plastic, and the legends appear pad-printed on, so they will show signs of wear with time. Given how keycaps on scissor switches are part of the switch mechanism, they will break if you try to pry them out, and thus, I have not done so here. But they are the usual thin ABS with pad-printed legends, so be aware of the fact that they will wear out sooner than better quality keycaps (PBT plastic, doubleshot/dye sublimated legends, and so on). Evoluent does have a protective film on these, as their representative pointed out when this came up in an email, so that should help.