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Ergonomic keyboards and speed - mttx

Posted: Aug 25, 2011

I'm switching up my office stuff and i'm thinking about getting an ergonomic keyboard. I have been typing on a laptop and every once in a while my hands cramp up. I was just wondering if anyone had a learning curve with the ergo keyboard and if it slowed down their production at all. Thanks! :)

You'd be surprised how quickly you can adapt to an ergo. - LaLaMt

[ In Reply To ..]
I thought I might have a learning curve 10 years ago when I started using one, but now I have trouble typing on regular keyboards and I hate laptop keyboards. I have big hands so the ergo keyboards which are made big are really comfortable for me.

Good Luck!

mttx - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I switched to the original Microsoft Natural many years ago. For the first two days I thought I would go crazy, then I adapted. I was able to add 100 lph over a very few months, which I attribute to no hand cramps or pain. I have done MT for many years. I also paint as a hobby (although I have had some commercial gain from doing so) and did not want to ruin my hands on a keyboard. Although newer versions of the Natural have come out, I still prefer the plain old vanilla Microsoft Natural. I swear by it. I am a speed demon and it has saved my hands. They are fairly inexpensive (around 30-35 dollars, I think) and the pain it has saved me is well worth it. Not to mention the increase in speed, which is much easier on an ergo. Try one--I think you'll like it!

wow! - mttx

[ In Reply To ..]
Thanks! I paint too, mainly acrylic on canvas, and draw, although I seem to have a better eye with photography, either way i'm still using my hands. I found the keyboard you're talking about and will definitely be getting it this weekend. And if I could increase my speed AND save my hands? Fantastic news! :)

mttx - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I do watercolor, draw, and do pen and ink. Now that I am retiring (5 more days, yay!) I am going to have more time for it. I am really impressed with folks who can do acrylic. It scares me! Hope you get a great keyboard this weekend!

Goldtouch keyboard - runnin-on-MT

[ In Reply To ..]
About three months ago I switched from a standard keyboard to a goldtouch keyboard. It is a funky true split design with the ability to adjust split and tilt. For a while I was going crazy relearning the function keys because they are in such a different location, but my hands, thumbs, and shoulders are so happy that I stuck with the added frustration for a few extra days. Now I fly on the keyboard. Best part -- my family HATES it, so it is even easier to enforce the "no hands on mommy's computer" rule.

Goldtouch keyboards can be a bit expensive retail, but I got mine off ebay (new in box)for $22.00 plus shipping. The 10-key pad is not attached, so if you use your 10-key a lot, you should look for one of those as well. I was lucky to find an auction that threw in the keypad as a bonus.

Good luck and happy ergonomics!

keyboards - MT

[ In Reply To ..]
I have a Microsoft keyboard as well...the keys are split which makes for a natural fit when you are sitting in your chair. My arms easily rest on the arm rests while my fingers rest easily on home row. I literally cannot get on a regular computer and type. My hands are cramped together, they are not on it naturally, and the keys are way smaller than an ergo. I type many hours a day for years and have no signs of cramping or carpal tunnel at all. My family also hates my keyboard which is an added bonus!! I definitely type way, way faster on an ergo. I had my employer buy me an ergo and when I started working at home, they hired a new gal for in-office and I told her to stick with it for a few weeks and she'd love it...sure enough she loved it, increased her speed, and now she can't go back to a regular keyboard either.

MT - Old Pro

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm with you. I can't type on a regular keyboard for anything. It's ONLY ergo for me!

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