I've used split ergonomic keyboards for decades, and have gone through a few keyboards in that time. Most recently I moved to a Logitech k860, which is was great for just 2 years before 2 keycaps broke off and I discovered Logitech doesn't have replacement parts, nor does _ANYBODY_ on the internet.
I'd tried going to a split mechanical keyboard with a pre-built Sofle ortholinear, but turns out I really really don't vibe with ortholinear. Sold that and got the Cepstrum (pre-built). It's wonderful, and I love that this might very well be the last keyboard I buy. Got it about a year ago so this is a review after that time.
Pros:
* It's nice and small on my desk. I added some DIY tenting, and it's really wonderful to be able to position the halves of the keyboard exactly where I want (and I can stick an Apple trackpad in between).
* The keycaps are "soft" in a very pleasant way. Compared to cheap keycaps … night and day. They feel great.
* The LED lighting makes me happy. I stick to simple gradients and solid colors but it adds a nice splash of color to my day.
* Via is really nice and easy to work with.
Other:
* I got the version with the macro keys. I don't really use them for much. Not a fault of the keyboard, and having them on the left side may make the two halves more balanced.
* The spacebars have just 1 switch but are a little over 2 wide. Not really an issue but I'm starting to wonder about lubricating those switches.
* After a year on the Choc Browns, I'm contemplating going to a lighter-weight linear option. It's nice to have the option to change the keel while maintaining a high-quality keyboard that could last for many years to come.
