Goldtouch Go!2 Is a Great Vertical Keyboard

Some people choose equipment based on aesthetics. While the ergonomic Goldtouch keyboard isn’t sleek or particularly beautiful, it’s still an eye-catcher. I get endless questions and comments about the keyboard whenever I use it in public, and I admit it’s interesting to watch someone type semi-vertically for the first time. But users of ergonomic keyboards tend to use them for functional reasons rather than status.

Goldtouch Go!2 takes the idea of ​​a split keyboard—a hallmark of ergonomics—to the next level by literally splitting the keyboard in two. What’s more, by using a top-lock hinge, users can adjust the angle and span that makes their wrists most comfortable, from a nearly semi-vertical position of about 30 degrees to a completely flat position. The idea of ​​vertical typing may seem unintuitive and it took some getting used to, but my hands quickly adjusted.

The Goldtouch Go!2 vertical keyboard is available in both wired and wireless models:

Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard (Wireless) $119

Goldtouch Go!2 Mobile Keyboard (USB) – $97

I’ve used various incarnations of ergonomic keyboards back when I was on a desktop computer, and when I switched to a laptop, my wrists definitely took notice. Switching to a vertical mouse helped a lot, so I wondered if typing vertically would produce the same result.

I tried the Goldtouch in its most extreme position: almost vertical. You could probably smooth out the learning curve by transitioning slowly. But simply turning my wrists 90 degrees to a vertical position felt so good that I couldn’t bring myself to go back.

What I liked about the Goldtouch keyboard

Verticality aside, typing on the Goldtouch is simply amazing. The keys are large, soft, and pleasant to the touch. Although this is not a mechanical keyboard, the keys have a nice tactile feel to them. I tend to be a “purposeful” typer and usually use the keyboard cover to turn down the volume a bit, but my keystrokes on the Goldtouch are almost silent.

When you’re done working, it’s really nice to fold up the Goldtouch like a wallet. It is lightweight and takes up little space to move. On an airplane it fits perfectly on any tray table.

There are a number of competitors in the ergonomic keyboard space, such as the Kinesis Freestyle Edge , Ergodox , and Matias Ergo Pro. The Goldtouch is the most affordable of the bunch, and the only one that has a hinge: it holds the entire keyboard and forces your hands not only to be vertical, but also to keep your hands diagonally in line with the keyboard. It’s also one of the few wireless options available.

Goldtouch keyboard is missing numeric keypad

Even though the keys feel large, I never felt like I had to reach or reach. While typing the letter keys wasn’t a problem, my fingers soon intuitively remembered where the keys were. Multiple keystrokes, including using Command or Shift, took the longest to relearn.

The Goldtouch doesn’t have a numeric keypad, but since none of my recent laptops have one, it’s not such a big loss. Goldtouch offers a separate numeric keypad , but only in a wired solution.

Disadvantages of the Goldtouch keyboard

The keyboard hasn’t been updated for several years, which is obvious since the Bluetooth version charges via micro USB. While you can certainly still purchase micro USB chargers, this creates two problems: first, charging takes forever—almost five hours. You can work with it connected and charging via USB, but what’s the point of a wired wireless keyboard? (Of course, you can also just buy the wired version .) As long as I remembered to charge it when not in use, I got four to five hours of typing before needing a charge.

Secondly, the essence of USB is versatility, and the current standard is USB-C. If you don’t have a microcable with you, your friends are unlikely to lend you one. It’s a small thing, but minimizing the number of cords I need to carry around with me is an ongoing battle.

I’d like to see an update with longer battery life, faster charging, and a move to USB-C.

Do ergonomic keyboards really help with wrist pain?

There was a time when everyone believed that these ergonomic products would help the generation suddenly suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. For years, research has concluded that typing causes recurring conditions such as carpal tunnel—the results seem inconclusive at best.

The research that Goldtouch offers doesn’t suggest improvements in wrist pain directly related to the use of their devices, but a University of Washington study shows a reduction in fatigue when using a split keyboard, and a similar NIH study suggests improvements in upper extremity conditions. Clinical trials have shown greater comfort and less strain on muscles that are prone to injury at work.

At the end of the day, in the absence of significant evidence, it definitely can’t hurt to try one of these keyboards. This can help position your hands and wrists to better fit your body, and the Goldtouch keyboard does this in a way that no other keyboard on the market does. Personally, I experienced pain in my wrists and upper arms as soon as I started using upright devices, but everyone is different.

Bottom line

While I’d prefer an updated version with more modern features, the tactile feel, ease of transport, and extreme horizontal and vertical angles that the Goldtouch keyboard offers make it a nice change from a reasonably priced flat keyboard.