Software

There is no dedicated software driver support for the Zergotech Freedom at this time—all functionality, including firmware programming, is hardware based. As such, I have chosen to combine the Software and Performance pages into one.

Performance

The Zergotech Freedom keyboard supports N-key rollover USB, which tested successfully using Aqua's test. Switch Hitter confirmed no chatter with these keys.

Remember when I wrote there is no dedicated software support above? It's true to an extent. Zergotech integrated an onboard programming module called KeyKortex, which is arguably the best of both worlds. A detailed guide and some references in addition to an introductory page have been dedicated to it. It seems extremely useful and user friendly based on the Zergotech video seen above, as well as the references linked here. Unfortunately, something happened with my sample and test setup that prevented me from testing it. I confirmed that the keyboard was working and even did a short trial of KeyKortex before I opened it up, and my PC has since decided it is an unknown USB device. Zergotech helped troubleshoot everything to the best of our abilities, including breaking out my Fluke DMM, but all we could conclude was that it was not the fault of the keyboard. As such, for this particular section at least, I can only say that KeyKortex worked well enough in the short time I was able to try it out. Having a GUI come up via a text editor also is a great way to get end users to better customize the keyboard to their needs.



One such example of KeyKortex programming allows users to switch between the QWERTY/Dvorak/Colemak layouts for more efficient typing. Here, I used the source code from an older keyboard review in a layout tester (courtesy of Patrick Gillespie). The results above show that QWERTY is not even close to the most efficient layout for me, and very likely you as well. If you are willing, try out Colemak or Dvorak as they will result in lower finger travel and fatigue overall. As such, the driver offers a significant functional tool if you are willing to devote some time to adopting either Colemak or Dvorak. Here is the link to the full results if you are interested, including a detailed analysis on key presses and distances moved.


Key mapping will go a long way no doubt, but there is nothing that can be reprogrammed about the physical key selection and the default layer. Some interesting choices have been made here, especially when it comes to the modifier keys. Enter, Delete, and Backspace have all been moved to the left half, for example, with Caps Lock to the right half. The intention is to have the more commonly used modifiers in a more convenient position to reduce ulnar extension of the right wrist, which I do agree with, but that's also where the other typing layouts have a place. On the other hand, Zergotech also states that this re-assignment allows for a more uniform distribution of tasks associated with each hand, which really is so subjective it's a bold statement to make. For one, with nearly all the modifier keys there, I ended up using the left half far more often now.

What is not too subjective is that the layered functions are color coordinated for ease of identification and use. Indeed, the blue-colored function layer allows for one-handed media controls with the left half and one-handed navigation with the arrow keys and the second Fn Shift key on the right half. I also appreciate having some common Windows productivity shortcuts, such as cut, copy, and paste on this layer. The number layer in yellow has a dedicated numpad with Num Lock or when holding down Num Shift. This also goes well with one hand as necessary, which is attention to detail I appreciate. For power users, there is also a nice mouse mode if you press and hold Left Num + FN Shift + Mouse Mode Enable key (row 2, column 13) for two seconds. This converts the middle Backspace key (row 5, column 7) to the Mouse Layer Toggle button, and you now have mouse functions on the keyboard. Many of these are self-explanatory, but I did chuckle at Speed, Gas, and Brake, which just change cursor speed. Based on their website, other language layouts are coming soon, too.

In addition to the deliberate key placement and layers, inherent ergonomic design choices have been made. The sliding palm rests previously discussed in detail are very neat. I still maintain that they should have a trapezoidal shape on one side instead of their rectangular profile, especially when moving to the corners as seen in the video above. The keyboard has the two halves with a V-recess between, which indirectly shows off the ergonomic layout of the keys on each half. Indeed, as I type this on the Zergotech Freedom, I notice my hands automatically adopting the shape, wherein the two halves meet in the middle and the keys align with my hands as they face inward as well. The split nature also means you can move them apart by up to ~50 cm in the middle; however, as I said before, a removable cable would have been better. There is also a natural tenting of the two halves at the intersection point, which further aids ergonomics with the thumb side of your palm typically raised compared to the other side. The integrated feet allow for further tenting, tilting, and incline/decline elevation.


Finally, and I personally think this is an extremely underrated feature of the Zergotech Freedom based on its online reception thus far, we have the semi-orthogonal key layout here. Typically, you have staggered columns, which Zergotech illustrates as an asymmetrical layout above. Most ergonomic split keyboards go with either staggered columns again, or all orthogonal/symmetrical columns. The latter allows for shorter finger travel with keystrokes, which improves typing ergonomics, but is a massive entry barrier to touch typists especially since it destroys the typing rate for the first few weeks. The semi-orthogonal nature here, with the first four rows orthogonal and the bottom two rows staggered, massively cut down how long it took me to get used to this keyboard. This is all the more telling after having used a laptop membrane keyboard for nearly a year! So yes, while Zergotech is correct in using a badge which alerts users to the fact that this is not a medical device, it is one of the most comfortable typing experiences I have had in a long time—at least until my PC decided it wouldn't cooperate!


We saw before how my particular version uses the Kailh (Kaihua) BOX White switches, which are tactile and clicky to complement the other switch option that is the BOX Brown, and you can take a look here for more on what makes them different from other Cherry MX-style switches. These switches are rated for 1.8 mm actuation at ~45 gf force and 3.6 mm total travel at ~55 gf peak spring force, with the click bar providing a satisfying, crispy, tactile, and clicky feedback. I have become a fan of the Kailh BOX switch design, and the BOX Brown switch makes for a good user experience as well, especially for typing; that said, so does the BOX White switch. The thick PBT keycaps subjectively add to the typing experience as well, but this is contentious in that some may well prefer thinner keycaps.


As always, the sound of a keyboard is based on more than just the switch type. So when comparing sound clips, consider the keyboard as a whole. In this case, I have provided above an example sound clip of me typing on the Zergotech Freedom keyboard sample at ~75 WPM as it comes out of the box with the Kailh BOX White switches. For context, you can find sound clips from other keyboards here, including those with tactile and clicky switches. I did bottom out often given the comparatively lower travel and medium-force spring in these switches, but it is fairly easy to avoid with some practice. Also, having tested a random set of twenty switches using a tension gauge, I can confirm that the average actuation force was pretty much 45 gf (44.86 +/- 0.04 gf).