What is the difference between 89 and 90 series keyboards?

Regardless of language or letter layout (QWERTY, Maltron, Dvorak, etc.), the key placements are slightly different as described here:

Dual hand 3D 90 series keyboards.

90 series keyboards are an updated layout design from the older 89 design, and are recommended for new Maltron users as the layout most closely resembles the conventional keyboard you will be familiar with. Number positions are more like the conventional flat keyboard you will know, except for the escape key which is in the central number area. All our keyboards are now only available with a USB connector

Dual hand 3D 89 series keyboards.

89 series keyboards have an older layout design. They are recommended for those who have used an 89 series Maltron keyboard before and wish to avoid learning the slightly different layout of a 90 series keyboard. The 89 series was optionally available with a PS/2 connector (known as J89) or USB connector (known as L89). It is now only available with USB.

If you have one of our earlier keyboards it is most likely that it has layout-89. The diagrams below show the important differences.

For 89 and 90 series keyboards, you will have other options to choose from, for example language, PC or Mac, key layout, dual-engraved keys, trackball or no trackball, etc. Check the web shop descriptions carefully to choose, and remember : If you cannot find the exact keyboard you require, please contact us (click the "Contact" link on the top menu) as we may be able to supply your requirement as a special order!

• To confirm the layout of a Maltron keyboard you already have, look at the QWERTY row of letters. If the number 2 is above the letter W then the keyboard has layout 89.
  
  
• If the number 2 is above the letter Q then the keyboard has layout 90.
  
  
• 89 keyboards are only available in  L-series (USB connector).
  
  
• 90 keyboards are only available in L-series (USB connector).

QWERTY 89 Layout

QWERTY 90 Layout

Number 2 above the Q and the double pairs of tall keys on the thumbs.

Maltron 89 Layout

Maltron 90 Layout

Number 2 above the Q and the double pairs of tall keys on the thumbs.

Note: Fn mode _- and += alternate key symbols not shown on the above L90 diagrams for clarity.

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