I recently wrote about my experiences with the TypeMatrix, Plum and Kinesis Contoured keyboards. DreymaR suggested I write reviews of these keyboards, all of which feature non-staggered rows, also called a matrix- or grid-like layout.
However, I don't think I'd have much to add to the other post... My findings more or less confirm what is said in other reviews of these keyboards.
I can't really recommend the Plum unless you're willing to heavily modify it, as a fellow swiss colemak-forum user shows here: https://forum.colemak.com/viewtopic.php?pid=2160#p2160
The TypeMatrix is definitely worth a try if you're on a budget, plus they finally have a USB version coming with an improved layout (I was told that they'll maybe be ready in May). It does have a few shortcomings, like the missing modifier keys on the right hand side of the space bar, or the weird placement of the left hand side modifier keys: As a Mac user I'm used to hit the command key with my left thumb (mostly) - unlike users of other OSs who often use the left pinky to hit the control key - I found it irritating that there's another row below the modifier keys.
And the Kinesis Contoured keyboard, well, it takes some getting used to - one needs to adjust to the non-staggered rows, and also to the shorter distances to the keys. But it feels natural pretty quickly. The remapping feature is excellent, and done with and saved "in the keyboard" itself. It's only a matter of activating the remapping mode, then pressing the source key ("I want this key...") and then the target key ("...here"), then exit the remapping mode. Of course one can remap as many keys as one likes in remapping mode.
For example, I figured I'd move the number row one key to the left - since that moves the keys in appropriately the same position as they are on a keyboard with staggered rows - relative to the home row. E.g. the "3" key is almost directly above the Colemak "r" key (Qwerty "s" key), so even though it should be hit with the middle finger I found I often hit it with the ring finger. As a bonus, this allowed me to put the "=" key back to the top right. That's a key I use fairly often, being a software engineer, and there was no point using the left pinky instead of the right one.
Another example: in the left thumb key group there's a forward delete by default, a key I hardly ever use. So instead, I put a return key there, so I have a return key for my left hand when the right hand is using the mouse. The last example: I put all of the arrow keys to the right hand.
In short, one can do whatever makes sense for oneself.
If anyone is interested, my current Colemak layout on the Kinesis Contoured keyboard can be seen in this picture. For reference the original Qwerty layout is shown here
BTW, I'm definitely sticking with the Kinesis, in fact I ordered a second one today so I won't have to carry the other one around... ;)
