Ergonomic Keyboards

[madh83]

I'm trying to find a good ergonomic keyboard that won't cost the price of a graphics card! I was looking at this website because they were recommended by people with Carpal Tunnel:
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/

but their contoured ones seem very expensive, and I'm not sure teh cheaper ones would be any good. Could someone give me some input and/or recommend some good ergonomic keyboards? The emphasis being on comfort.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I personally use the logitech comfort duo cordless keyboard because the standard layout sucks to me. Ms also has a new comfort keyboard that is very different than previous generations. You'd need to go to a store that carries them so you can try them out in person before you make a decision.

 

[zagood]

The MS Natural 4000 is probably the most widely available...I have one at home and at work. The one at work has lasted about 2 years, the one at home I've had replaced twice. Probably something to do with spilling beer on it. A lot.

This one's pretty cheap, can't vouch for the quality or comfort though:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...dpNo=2145160&CatId=534

-z

 

[Peter]

The Kinesis ones are excellent, at a cost - and at the cost of being truly unable to type on a normal keyboard once you've learned the Kinesis.

$99 buys you the Datadesk Smartboard, which really is the best you can do for that kind of money. Light-force individual keyswitches, fanned key alignment that lets the fingers move in more natural directions, but not too far away from being a "normal" keyboard.

Datadesk sells direct through an ebay account, it appears.

Everything below, including the MS, falls into the "looks ergo but isn't" category. Left-slanted key rows, rubber mat mechanics, no thanks.

 

[imported_Imp]

Microsoft ComfortCurve 2000. Sleek, low key profile, slight curve. Cheap and amazing.

 

[imported_Imp]

Microsoft ComfortCurve 2000. Sleek, low key profile, slight curve. Cheap and amazing.

 

[Highly Likely]

MS wireless laser desktop 6000 v2. Very very nice keyboard, mouse's not bad, uses AA batteries though and a large receiver.
The KB has front elevation and a nice wrist rest, plus low profile keys with low noise feedback. custom. function keys. Recommended even if you dont have a deal for it.

 

[Peter]

None of these uses individual switches, right? All rubber/silicone mat.

Problem with that is, as long as depressing the key doesn't have a /hard/ bottom to it, tendon strain is a lot higher than it should be. Proper tactile feedback requires a proper end to the key travel.

 

[Mday]

have the MS natural 4000 myself. Used it at the office as well. Now i'm using the kinesis freestyle with VIP addon at the office.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Those kinetic contours look pretty interesting however they're very steep in price and the other function buttons would require you to relearn typing. It's bad enough already for me with a natural style keyboard versus one of the old style keyboards at work which really messes me up.

 

[Tu13erhead]

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[Zepper]

I have been unable to locate anyone who is actually selling smartboards - it almost seems like the company died... There are several places that have listings for them but there hasn't been any stock for months. KeytronicEMS.com has many keyboards with their Ergo feature. It offers different pressures for different sets of keys based on finger strength - but the layout is standard. This feature was first widely advertised in relation to the original Metadot Das Keyboard of which the Keytronic E03600 formed the basis.

.bh.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: Zepper
I have been unable to locate anyone who is actually selling smartboards - it almost seems like the company died

text enjoy?

EDIT: I'm wondering if a Smartboard or Kinesis Contour will work with my Macs with using simply a PS/2 -> USB converter (not an expensive one)...

 

[skriefal]

Yes, the SmartBoard will work on a Mac (or a PC) with a PS/2 to USB converter. I haven't used it myself this way, but know of a friend who has used one with his Mac for a couple years now.

 

[skriefal]

Originally posted by: Zepper
KeytronicEPS.com has many keyboards with their Ergo feature. It offers different pressures for different sets of keys based on finger strength - but the layout is standard.

That web site does not exist. Did you mean keytronic.com?

 

[Steve]

USB version in stock: http://www.datadesktech.com/order_form.html

I got mine from http://www.sforh.com/store/keyboards.html#d192 but they appear to be out of stock. I'm surprised ergcube.com doesn't even list them.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: skriefal
Yes, the SmartBoard will work on a Mac (or a PC) with a PS/2 to USB converter. I haven't used it myself this way, but know of a friend who has used one with his Mac for a couple years now.

Ah, awesome, thanks.

 

[Peter]

Huh? The non-USB SmartBoards have been unavailable for quite a while. They're all USB (with a hub and a sleep button in the back), PC or Mac version.

And since there's a specific Mac version anyway, why not order that?

Ergocube used to have smartboards (that's where I imported my last batch from), but have de-listed them shortly thereafter.

But yes, the old PC-PS2 version is low enough on its power requirement to work on a USB-PS2 controller cable. I'm occasionally doing that at work.

 

[Zepper]

Sorry, the keytronic url is keytronicems.com - it's fixed in the OP now. My how DataDesk has fallen - eBay seems to be their only outlet other than their web site. I don't do USB kbds - how come no PS/2?

.bh.

 

[Peter]

PS/2 is on its way out, you better start liking that fact

Nothing wrong with the PC-USB version of the SmartBoard. Besides the more modern interface, It improves over (previous shipments of) the PS/2 version: The typing feel is slightly different, with even better tactile feedback. Keystrokes for the "missing" keys (print, scroll, pause) have been moved. The sleep button is a nice addition since many computers are missing one, and the two extra USB ports on its back come handy for mouse and gamepad.

 

[Tu13erhead]

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