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Journalists and editors spend the majority of their workdays translating thoughts into digital text, turning the physical keyboard into an essential daily tool. A survey of staff members at The Verge detailed the varied hardware they rely on, spanning high-end custom mechanical builds, split ergonomic setups, and standard factory peripherals.
Ergonomic Designs and Split Keyboards
Repetitive stress injuries and wrist strain drove multiple writers toward specialized ergonomic hardware. Senior reporter Jay Peters relies on a Kinesis Freestyle Pro configured with palm rests and tenting accessories, a setup he adopted in the late 2010s to alleviate persistent wrist pain. Senior internet typist Elizabeth Lopatto also uses a split board, selecting the Kinesis Gaming Freestyle Edge RGB fitted with loud Cherry MX Blue switches to aid with repetitive strain while maintaining an assertive, tactile typing sound.
AI reporter Robert Hart settled on a compact Keychron K2 Pro after previously testing unwieldy geometric boards such as the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop and the Logitech Ergo K860. Hart praised its portability and multi-device pairing capabilities, despite occasionally needing to search online for lighting command shortcuts.
Custom Builds and Enthusiast Modifications
Several editorial staffers opted for tailored mechanical setups built around specific sound profiles and aesthetic details. Executive editor Jacob Kastrenakes assembled a board using a Boop Redux case, GMK Dots keycaps, and Silent Bluish White (V2) switches, noting that while the setup is louder and offers fewer keys than a conventional layout, the design brings visual satisfaction to his desk.
Laptop reviewer Antonio G. Di Benedetto continues to use a modded TM680 kit acquired from AliExpress in 2021. He hand-lubed the stabilizers and Gateron Milky Yellow switches, inserted case foam, applied tape to the circuit board, and added MT3 3277 keycaps to produce a deeper acoustic profile. Commerce writer Brad Bourque types on a hot-swappable white NovelKeys NK65 equipped with tactile C3Equalz x TKC Dragonfruit switches and SA Mizu keycaps.
Senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards alternates between a modified Leopold FC660C featuring Topre electro-capacitive switches and two Omnitype Bauer Lite boards, one configured with linear Kailh Deep Sea Silent Islet switches and another built with DynaCap switches. Meanwhile, senior editor Sean Hollister adapted a Keychron V1 with near-silent Boba U4 switches for shared office work, pairing it with an 8BitDo wireless numeric keypad.
Prebuilt Mechanicals and Low-Profile Options
Off-the-shelf mechanical keyboards from brands like NuPhy and Keychron also proved popular across the newsroom. Transportation editor Andrew J. Hawkins uses a NuPhy Air75, highlighting its retro keycap colors and prolonged battery runtime. News writer Stevie Bonifield daily drives a NuPhy Halo75 V2 with tactile Mint switches across Mac and Linux systems, recommending linear switches for those prioritizing PC gaming.
Senior copy editor Kallie Plagge balances two setups: a Keychron K2 for daily editorial work and a tenkeyless Logitech G713 with red linear switches and a cloud wrist rest for gaming. Former senior editor TC Sottek also uses a 75-percent Keychron K2, choosing affordable models after accidentally destroying three expensive gaming boards over the years with spilled beverages.
Senior tech and policy editor Adi Robertson transitioned to a low-profile Iqunix MQ80, having previously experienced battery swelling on a NuPhy Air75. News writer Emma Roth reported using a budget Corsair K55 RGB Pro purchased secondhand, though recurring software syncing glitches have led her to consider an eventual mechanical upgrade.
Minimalist Approaches and Standard Apple Hardware
A notable segment of the newsroom avoids mechanical switches altogether, favoring simplicity and manufacturer defaults. Product manager Danielle Steussy has used Apple keyboards for over two decades, currently typing on an Apple Magic Keyboard with numeric keypad despite occasional Bluetooth drops and wearing key legends. Editor-in-chief Nilay Patel similarly adheres to full-size Apple keyboards with dedicated numeric pads, simply swapping in a replacement roughly every five years when the spacebar fails.
Editor at large David Pierce set aside mechanical keyboards and a Logitech MX Keys S in favor of an Apple Magic Keyboard, explaining that the integrated Touch ID button eliminated the hassle of typing master passwords. Senior reports editor Meredith Haggerty maintains the most minimal arrangement of all, relying strictly on the built-in keyboard of an employer-issued M2 MacBook Air.
