What to Look for in an Ergonomic Keyboard

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/02/ask-ars-ergonomic-keyboards-101.ars' target='_blank'>http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news...yboards-101.ars</a><br /><br /></div><p><object width="600" height="360" data="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" id="flashObj"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=798465116001&amp;playerID=653175093001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAlDCBGhk~,VcmqiTAueko5dVQ8XdV26frDg4G6mZc1&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&amp;isUI=1" /><param name="name" value="flashObj" /><param name="flashvars" value="videoId=798465116001&amp;playerID=653175093001&amp;playerKey=AQ~~,AAAAlDCBGhk~,VcmqiTAueko5dVQ8XdV26frDg4G6mZc1&amp;domain=embed&amp;dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /></object></p><p>About the only thing I hate about laptops and netbooks is the lack of ergonomic keyboards. &nbsp;I've been using Microsoft branded ergonomic keyboards on my desktops since their first versions were released. &nbsp;Are you a fan of ergonomic keyboards? &nbsp;Any particular brand?</p>

[Bob12]

I, too, use the Microsoft Naturals -- the wired version on one PC and the wireless on the other.

[Jason Dunn]

Very interesting video - I didn't know most of that. :)

I used to use Microsoft's split-keyboard "Natural" but moved away from them a few years ago. Right now I use Logitech's Wave keyboard.

The unfortunate reality is that even with an ergonomic keyboard, the repetition will eventually get you. The human body was simply not meant for tends of thousands of micro movements every day.

[ptyork]

Yeah, I miss the tactile clikety-clak of my old IBM PS/2 (Model M) keyboard. But the noise difference really is significant. Especially at home. That topre thing sounds like a great compromise, but I'm not gonna spend $100's on a keyboard. I pay $20-25 a piece for my Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000, which I like quite a bit despite it's mushy shortcomings. If I could get a $100 one with mechanical keys (and preferably with lighted keys that have ink that doesn't rub off after a few weeks), I'd consider it. Otherwise, economically it just makes no sense. They last 3-5 years. Considering the time-value of money, you can never make up the difference in price once you get above $100. And since I'm not convinced that I'm actually "pounding" my ergo keys, well, mushy will do for now. :)

[Jason Dunn]

They last 3-5 years. Considering the time-value of money, you can never make up the difference in price once you get above $100.

There's also the germ factor: keyboards are germ factories and I've read they should be replaced every 24 months or so. I actually put dates on the bottom of my keyboards so I know how long they've been in use. I'd never spend $400 on a keyboard knowing I'd want to replace it after 24 months to keep things hygienic...

[firedog]

In the 90's I had a Samsung Laptop with an adjustable "ergonomic" keyboard. It had a split in the middle - a kind of hinge - so when you opened it you could leave it alone (standard laptop keyboard) or open it, so that it spread out into the split mode.

The split mode made it the width of a "real" keyboard, and was very comfortable to use. Too bad no one makes one like that on a laptop anymore.

[Jason Dunn]

In the 90's I had a Samsung Laptop with an adjustable "ergonomic" keyboard. It had a split in the middle - a kind of hinge - so when you opened it you could leave it alone (standard laptop keyboard) or open it, so that it spread out into the split mode.

Sounds like an interesting design! I remember the butterfly keyboards that some IBM laptops had that would open up and get wider than the laptop...seems like every "alternative" keyboard has faded away over the years.