ergonomic keyboards - any good?

[palatinate11]

Has anyone switched from a regular to an ergonomic/anti-RSI keyboard? And if so is there a type you'd recommend.

I have read that it's all down to your sitting position - that your hands rest level instead of up - but I am interested to hear macrumours community members' thoughts.

And on the same sort of subject, although it might need another thread, does anyone have any opinions/info re. the set up that best protects your eyes from staring at a screen too much - i.e. is it just a question of keeping the brightness down or is there some other strategy?

I spend a lot of time working on my computer and will do for years to come - so I am concerned about avoiding RSI/vision problems/back problems etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Mord]

i have one and hate it, never use it.

thank god it was free (M$ ps2 erganomic keyboard).

 

[adk]

I used a microsoft ergonomic keyboard for a few years on an old dell. It was nice, but I'm not sure it saved me from carpal tunnel or anything, and whenever people came over and tried to use my computer they were confused as hell.

 

[Notaboy21]

for a time, my room mate and I were sharing my computer. She insisted on attaching her ergonomic keyboard- and constantly forgot to put mine back when done- and I will tell you NOTHING drove me more insanely crazy.
I found it difficult to type on--and as someone who went through school with "learning to type properly" classes...Im not exactly a one finger poker with a keyboard. My room mate claimed that I was crossing fingers where I wasnt "supposed" to, the end result-
you need to be a secretary typist with perfect form to use that keyboard?
Not my style. Wasnt worth it for me- and I shudder everytime I walk by one of those monsters.

.....on a side note- I really found that just having one of those "sandbags" in front of the keyboard to rest your wrists- keeps them level, and seems to do me well....and Im easily spending five to eight hours a day on a computer.

 

[excalibur313]

Much like adk I had an ergonomic one by microsoft on an old dell and I thought that it was pretty comfortable to type on. I probably wouldn't pay money for a new one because I'm not convinced that they do anything. I saw this one keyboard though that looked like two bowls that you put your fingers in to. Now that's a keyboard! You can get amazing speeds without moving much of anything.

 

[chopsuey158]

My mom just got one for christmas. It's nice, and comfortable but it definitely takes a little time to get used to. The 'b' especially messes me up. I usually hit it with my right hand, but it's on the left half of the keyboard. Comfortable though...

 

[bousozoku]

I've worked on a lot of computers, so I've had to sit at various desks on various chairs and use various keyboards.

I found nothing inspiring about ergonomic keyboards that couldn't be done more easily with a properly adjustable chair and monitor height coordination.

I will say, however, that the Apple split keyboard was an excellent (and extremely expensive) idea. Since it pivoted to open up, it could be all things to everyone--that is, if you exclude inexpensive as one of the things.

 

[rasp]

I used to use one, It was a generic one I picked up at a local computer show. It had good action on the keys and the 6 key was on the correct side of the split (got that microsoft). I found it pretty decent to type on once I got used to it. I'm not convinced how much better it is than a regular keyboard for RSI.

There are 2 downsides, one of which (pointed out above) is that it is weird for random people using your machine to use. The other downside is they take up considerable room on the desk.

Also pointed out above is that the keyboard layout is one small part of the overall ergonomic situation of a workspace. Everything matters, hight of chair to desk to floor to screen, *for* a specific individual.

Supposedly the best ergonomic keyboards aren't the pre formed ones, but are actually cut and come in 2 seperate pieces, so you can position them exactly for yourself.