Ergonomic Keyboards

A good ergonomic keyboard will enable you to type more comfortably for longer periods of time, preventing repetitive strain injuries that begin in the hands and wrists and can work their way throughout the arms.

An ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain and a host of related problems. Typically such keyboards for two-handed typists are constructed in a V shape, to allow right and left hands to type at a slight angle more natural to the human form.

Most of the ergo keyboards we sell will do the following:

Reducing Ulnar Deviation

Reducing Wrist Extension

Reducing Pronation

Reducing Over Reach for the Mouse

Split keyboard

A "fixed-split keyboard" is a single board, with the keys separated into two or three groups, allowing the user to type at a different angle than the typical straight keyboard.

An "adjustable split keyboard" has the keyboard split into several independent pieces, so the angle between them can be easily changed.

Contoured keyboard

Handheld keyboards

Handheld ergonomic keyboards are designed to be held like a game controller, and can be used as such, instead of laid out flat on top of a table surface. They allow the user the ability to move around a room or to lean back on a chair while also being able to type in front or away from the computer. Some variations of handheld ergonomic keyboards also include a trackball mouse that allow mouse movement and typing included in one handheld device.

Angled split keyboard

The angled split keyboard (sometimes referred to as a Klockenburg keyboard) is similar to a split keyboard, but the middle is tented up so that the index fingers are higher than the little fingers while typing. Key Ovation makes the Goldtouch ergonomic keyboard which is an adjustable angled split keyboard.

Other ergonomic keyboards

Other ergonomic keyboards have fixed, vertically aligned keys, so the user types with their hands perpendicular to the ground, thumbs-up. Still others allow a range of rotation and elevations. A few ergonomic keyboards do not have the typical one key per letter, such as a keyer or a keyless ergonomic keyboard.^[4] DataHand eliminates the need for any wrist motion or finger extension.

Considerations

Advantages

It is claimed that an ergonomic keyboard may reduce muscle strain and reduce risk of carpal tunnel syndrome or other kinds of repetitive strain injury, but one should be aware that many “ergonomic” keyboards change the musculoskeletal region exposed to risk, instead of eliminating hazardous postures. Manufacturers also claim that after a user takes the time to adjust to this style of keyboard, they can increase typing speed.

Disadvantages

Ergonomic keyboards are above the average price of standard keyboards (due to sophisticated manufacturing). You may need some practice to get used to the new layout and typing experience. These keyboards are mostly beneficial for users with the skill of "blind-typing". Without this skill the average user may not find any true benefit, as it feels more complicated than using a standard keyboard.