i bit the bullet and ordered an ergodox ez. i have my doubts, but it isn't like i have many options. i want a symmetrical programmable non-staggered keyboard. however size is important to me because i game with a lefthanded gamepad and mouse on the right. i don't play with the keyboard. i only use it for chatting. and i don't want to play with the keyboard because that would interfere with chatting. for example, i want ctrl shift and alt to be under my index, middle, and ring fingers on the home row (i use an mmo mouse). so it helps that it's as small as possible and out of the way. i'm currently using an hhkb which fits this requirement excellently, but i'm tired of the staggered keys. i've been staring at the ergodox for weeks now and i finally convinced myself by telling myself that if i slant both halves in as close as they can get when i'm gaming that this will give me the room i want for my mouse
i got the black one with blank pbt keycaps (i love the pbt on my hhkb) and silent red switches. i have a spare keyboard with cherry reds at work sitting on my desk (company kb; not mine) and the red switches feel like crap compared to topre (it just feels like pushing on springs. i like the pop of rubber domes so long as they don't go mushy), but topre isn't an option on ergodox and i'm hoping the silent reds will be better (at least as far as noise is concerned; my hhkb is type-s). oh and i got the led lighting ^^