topic Re: Ergonomic keyboards in Electronics

Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:36:47 GMT

Does anyone use one? I did some research yesterday and am afraid to try one because I am so used to a flat, oblong keyboard. It's not the money, as they are not that expensive, and I don't care if it's wired or wireless, both will work with my desktop PC.

However, my hands and fingers are not working so well anymore (I have disfigurement from RA) and I am wondering if an ergonomic keyboard would be easier for me to use.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

gonnab — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:10:47 GMT

Have been using one for years. Takes a little getting used to but once you do, you can't go back to the other. The ergonomic board allows your hands and fingers to be in a much more natural position - not all squeezed together. I say - go for it - get the ergonomic board - you'll be glad you did!

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

dionline — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:13:06 GMT

Greetings Tree!

I have used one in the past and it took a short while to get used to - mostly the space bar, for some reason. But realizing that you could let your hands angle in the way they're made to, it really made a difference.

Call me shallow but I just like the look of the keyboard that I got when I purchased my iMac - it looks great together. But, trust me, if Apple made an ergonomic keyboard that coordinated with it, I'd surely have it.

I say get one and try it out. Like you said, the price is no big deal - you'll never know until you try.

Good luck & enjoy!!!

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:22:00 GMT

Thanks gonnab and dionline!! You have encouraged me to buy the one I have in my cart at Best Buy! I've been a typist all of my life (since high school on a manual, believe it or not). I have all the time in the world to experiment at this point.

I'm hoping my hands and fingers will thank me!!

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:28:27 GMT

Are you talking about the raised one odd shaped one?

I was thinking about buying one ..but i'm not a good typer and need to bend my head to watch myself type with one hand...nothing wrong with hands..its just because i learned what is easiest for me.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 16:42:41 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
Are you talking about the raised one odd shaped one?

I was thinking about buying one ..but i'm not a good typer and need to bend my head to watch myself type with one hand...nothing wrong with hands..its just because i learned what is easiest for me.

Actually I wound up buying the Microsoft one I found on Amazon. It is a little less raised and odd-shaped, it is more curved and raised in the back. It's wireless, but I've had wireless before and the batteries last a long time. I should be receiving it Thursday.

If I look at the keyboard I can't type, and I can't even tell you where the letters are, it is that automatic with me. I am a veteran typist from, as I said, manuals to electric, to computer keyboards, right up to the present. At one time I was clocked at 120 wpm on a computer keyboard. I know that is nothing compared to what 10 year olds can do these days!!

This might be somewhat of a challenge to me at first, but I am going for it because I think it will be easier on my hands and fingers in the long run and I want to be able to type . . . well, forever.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 18:52:11 GMT

Received my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 today! BTW, it is not wireless, but actually makes no difference to me.

Wow . . . this is going to take some getting used to! However, I am determined! I feel like I'm learning how to type all over again. I actually have to look at the keyboard . . . and am I slow! Not used to that. However, I know this will be good for my fingers, hands and wrists in the long run. My right hand is already disfigured and I have to wear a brace. My left hand is still ok, but will go eventually. RA doesn't discriminate!

Wish me luck!! LOL

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 18:43:24 GMT

Thank you for your reply about your new keyboard.

Good luck relearning to use it.

I think i'll check Amazon or e-bay for a new one or just keep using this flat wireless keyboard.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 17:43:33 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
Thank you for your reply about your new keyboard.

Good luck relearning to use it.

I think i'll check Amazon or e-bay for a new one or just keep using this flat wireless keyboard.

Believe it or not, only two days in and I'm doing much better! I am realizing that NOT looking at the keyboard is the better way to go (just like it always was). I am not "flying" yet, but I know I am getting there!

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Sun, 23 Aug 2015 18:17:52 GMT

one question..

Do you like that is raised more instead of the flat keyboard?

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 14:03:32 GMT

cowboy sam wrote:

one question..

Do you like that is raised more instead of the flat keyboard?

Absolutely. The shape of the keyboard itself is raised in the middle, then there are little lifts underneath the back end that also raise it. It also came with an additional platform for someone who might need it even higher. I do not use that.

The best thing because of my disfigurement on my right hand, is the padded wrist rest. Once I align my hands and wrists on that, I am beginning to get my speed back. I thought it would take much longer to get used to the new configuration, but it has not taken me long at all.

It's a little "clickier" than a flat keyboard (space bar only), but I don't mind it, as I typed for years and years on noisy keyboards.

This was a good purchase.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:45:39 GMT

Thank you for this information,

I was talking to my daughter about it and she would like to take me to a Staples store or/ ? Tuesday so i can look at one and try one out and see if it would work for me more then this flat one.

Will let you you know later what i decide.

Again.. thank you.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 14:17:10 GMT

@jasicafram wrote:
u encourged me to buy one for me..

Just wondering, did you ever get one?

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:52:04 GMT

Lilac Tree,

I am shocked that Staples only had flat keyboards!!

Next time i go to Wal-Mart i will look there .

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

jaxs mom — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 19:56:29 GMT

I used one for a long time but when I switched to mac I started using their keyboard and like the key size and pressure much better.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 18:58:05 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
Lilac Tree,
I am shocked that Staples only had flat keyboards!!
Next time i go to Wal-Mart i will look there .

That is surprising. I bought my Microsoft ergonomic keyboard from Amazon. It came fast (only a few days) and I am already almost 100% comfortable with it.

Good luck with finding one that you will like.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

cowboy sam — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 17:48:55 GMT

Lilac Tree,

i went to order at Amazon,they had 4 at $32.49 but as i clicked to order it they were sold out.The same keyboard by another seller was$42.74 plus s&h.

I read where you mentioned Best Buy so yesterday i ordered it through them for $33.99and free S&Hbut i did have to pay state tax of $2.12.

It has been shipped and will take a few days.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 16:01:00 GMT

@cowboy sam wrote:
Lilac Tree,
i went to order at Amazon,they had 4 at $32.49 but as i clicked to order it they were sold out.The same keyboard by another seller was$42.74 plus s&h.

I read where you mentioned Best Buy so yesterday i ordered it through them for $33.99and free S&Hbut i did have to pay state tax of $2.12.

It has been shipped and will take a few days.

I hope you like it Cowboy Sam. I am very comfortable with mine now, although at first I was somewhat worried that I would not master it. Then I realized that if I start out placing my hands on the palm rest first, my fingers automatically rest on the proper keys. I am typing almost normally now with much less discomfort.

Good luck, I'm glad you found it at Best Buy!

BTW, it comes with an extra stand to make it sit higher. I found I didn't need that. It depends upon your setup.

Keep me posted!!

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

minwife — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 03:34:54 GMT

I've used one for years & would never go back to the flat standard keyboard. I have wrist issues & RA.

Re: Ergonomic keyboards

LilacTree — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 14:58:49 GMT

@minwife wrote:
I've used one for years & would never go back to the flat standard keyboard. I have wrist issues & RA.

RA is my problem also and it has affected my wrists, hands, and fingers the most, although I have it everywhere. My right hands veers to the right side and the fingers as well. And I need the wrist support. I should have done this years ago, as you did!