What Is an Alice-Style Mechanical Keyboard, and Can It Help You Type Faster?

Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/what-is-alice-style-mechanical-keyboard-can-it-help-you-type-faster/

People are often trying to improve their typing speed to be more productive. Rather than simply trying to type faster, you should consider swapping out your existing keyboard for one that's more intuitive and ergonomic.

Though you can choose many keyboard designs, the Alice-style keyboard is one of the best ergonomic layouts. We've covered everything you want to know about Alice keyboards, including whether they're good for gaming. Let's get into it!

What Is an Alice-Style Keyboard

The first Alice-style keyboard was designed by keyboard enthusiast Yuk Tsi in 2018. She split the keys in half and slightly angled them to make them feel more ergonomic while keeping the keyboard frame itself a single piece.

Only 40 units were made of this original Alice-style keyboard, known as a TGR Alice keyboard, making it rare and super expensive today. Although the original TGR Alice keyboard can't be easily found anymore, plenty of companies saw the demand for Alice keyboards and recreated their own unique versions of it.

For the most part, all Alice keyboards look the same, with two slightly angled sets of keys separated by an inverted V shape. Most modern Alice-style keyboards include a small space bar and a "B" key on each side, though the original TGR Alice keyboard only has one "B" key, an extra Shift key, and no clearly designated space bar. Different versions usually only vary by a few select keys or key locations.

Because an Alice keyboard layout contains angled keys separated by an inverted V, your wrists can naturally rest and type more ergonomically. In addition to causing less discomfort to your wrists, an Alice keyboard can help release tension in your shoulders, neck, and arms. When your arms and wrists are angled while typing, your shoulders stay less hunched and tight.

Typing with your wrists perpendicular to your keyboard will result in discomfort over long periods because it's not a natural position for our bodies. That's why the best ergonomic keyboards—including Alice-style—usually separate the keys into a left side and a right side, either with two separate keyboard frames or an inverted V between keys on one frame.

Most Alice keyboards you can buy are custom-made or hot-swappable, meaning you can customize which mechanical switches and keys you want to put in your keyboard. And if you're spending the time and money to invest in an ergonomic keyboard, you need to buy a hot-swappable mechanical keyboard. You can customize the keyboard over time as your needs change, and you'll have an easier time maintaining the keyboard.

The only downside to buying an Alice-style keyboard is that it won't feel natural initially. Most people are used to typing on a standard keyboard, whether a full-size keyboard or a more compact version. If you type without looking at the keys, you do it by muscle memory. When you switch to an Alice keyboard, you won't have that muscle memory to rely on.

That said, the learning curve isn't too steep for many people. Some people may never mesh well with the Alice-style keyboard layout, but most people will get used to typing on an Alice keyboard after a week or so.

What's the Difference Between Alice & Arisu Keyboards?

When shopping for Alice keyboards, you'll also come across Arisu keyboards. Though these two keyboard styles are extremely similar, and Arisu is actually the Japanese translation of Alice, these two keyboard designs are not the same.

The biggest difference is that an Arisu keyboard has an arrow cluster, while Alice keyboards do not. Arisu keyboards also feature a navigation cluster on the right side, whereas Alice keyboards have these same keys on the left.

Despite these technical differences between the original TGR Alice layout designed by Yuk Tsi and the Arisu layout, many people simply use both terms to refer to a keyboard that looks like it fits either style. Most Alice keyboards available online today align more with the Arisu layout, with a nav cluster and arrow cluster on the right. But you'll usually see those keyboards sold as Alice because this term is more popular.

The Alice-style keyboard has multiple variations, including Ava, Chocolice, Basketweave, and Maja. A Reddit user made a helpful flowchart graphic outlining the difference between various Alice keyboard styles to help others find the perfect keyboard.

Can an Alice Keyboard Help You Type Faster?

An Alice-style keyboard is one of the best mechanical keyboards for typists because of its ergonomic layout. The layout of the keys is supposed to reduce wrist strain and tension in your arms and shoulders while you're typing.

Ergonomic keyboards can boost your health and productivity in many ways, primarily due to making you more comfortable typing for long periods. If your wrists, arms, and shoulders are more comfortable while you're typing, assuming you'd type faster is reasonable.

However, if you move from a standard keyboard to an Alice keyboard, there will be an adjustment period. All your keys will be in a different place, and you'll need to give yourself time to learn how to type on the new layout.

In the beginning, you'll probably type slower than usual. Over time, you'll learn the nuances of an Alice keyboard layout and be able to type like normal, and likely faster than average if you mesh well with the Alice layout.

Are Alice Keyboards Good For Gaming?

The answer to whether Alice keyboards are suitable for gaming is the same as whether you can type quickly on one. It all depends on you and your preferences.

From an ergonomic standpoint, Alice keyboards are a fantastic choice for gaming. You'll be much more comfortable sitting at a desk for long periods if your wrists and arms are in a more natural position and the Alice-style keyboard forces you into that more natural position.

However, all of the most-used game keys are in a different spot. The missing arrow cluster on an Alice-style keyboard may not bug gamers because most use the WASD key cluster anyway. However, on an Alice-style keyboard, your left hand doesn't naturally rest on the WASD keys; many people often use ESDF instead.

Additionally, many video games use the keys surrounding the WASD cluster, like Q, R, E, Tab, or Shift. You might also have to play around with these keys to figure out a remapped alternative that works best for you. Though remapping all of your in-game key preferences may be a nuisance, the end result is worth it.

Should You Get an Alice-Style Keyboard?

An Alice mechanical keyboard is one of many different keyboard styles available. It's not necessarily the best or the most ergonomic keyboard style out there, but an Alice-style keyboard is still a solid choice for many people.

If an Alice keyboard looks cool to you and could help you type faster or more comfortably, try one out! That's the only way you'll indeed be able to know whether an Alice-style keyboard works well for your needs.