keyboard recomendations

[occams_beard]

I type a lot and lately my hands and wrists have been kind of achy and hurting... Also sometimes while I'm working I'll get a sharp pain that shoots right through my hand. I am begging to wonder if I have a repetitive stress injury, or something... so I'm in the market for a decent keyboard.

I've been looking at keyboards, but one thing I despise is the fact that a lot of keyboards have multimedia buttons all over the place, or have reaaranged the insert, home, page up, key cluster, or have tiny function keys (I use the F keys a lot)... Logitech seems to be the worst offender, which is a shame because they used to make really nice keyboards.

Anywho, I was just wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good comfortable keyboards. :)

[standingwave]

Obviously, the keyboard is part of the problem but don't forget to make sure everything else is set up ergonomically.

http://i45.tinypic.com/w9bmkp.gif

[cascade9]

Someone I know is getting RSI (repetitive strain injury) and they swear by the (sorry) microsoft 'ergonomic' style keybaords and logictech comfort duo keyboards-

http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/microsoft_4000_kb/index.shtml

http://www.modsynergy.com/review71.htm

If it wasnt for my dislike of wireless, I would get the logictech, but since its wireless only, I'd (achk!) have to get the microsoft keyboard myself.

[szymon_g]

I'm using Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000- its really comfy (but loud a bit), works fine under Linux. I can, honestly, recommend it.

[YuiDaoren]

I'm using Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard 4000- its really comfy (but loud a bit), works fine under Linux. I can, honestly, recommend it.
I'm interested in that keyboard. How much of it works? Is the "zoom" control mappable?

[NovaAesa]

I also have a MS Ergonomic 4000, excellent keyboard. I would also recommend it.

@YuiDragon, I haven't messed around with the hotkeys yet, but I can confirm that the back and forward, as well as the calculator buttons work.

[cartman640]

I use one of the slim Apple aluminium keyboards at work, certainly no media button clutter on that and very nice to type on.

[szymon_g]

I'm interested in that keyboard. How much of it works? Is the "zoom" control mappable?

apart from 'zoom' control and 'spell' key (F10 with FLock off) everything works, i.e you are able to set your own actions for every key (i.e. xev sees all keys).
This keyboard is really comfy, but it breaks usually after 8 months (or 10) :/ my second one is dying- seems I have to learn to treat keyboards less inhumanly ;)

[mr_hangman]

apart from 'zoom' control and 'spell' key (F10 with FLock off) everything works, i.e you are able to set your own actions for every key (i.e. xev sees all keys).
This keyboard is really comfy, but it breaks usually after 8 months (or 10) :/ my second one is dying- seems I have to learn to treat keyboards less inhumanly ;)

How do you get those keys to work (undo, redo, save,...)? I turned off FLock but nothing happened when I press them.

[Warpnow]

I'm using an IBM Model M. Not ergonomic, per say, but the force feedback of the keys is often said to reduce strain. The Model M is built like a tank, and weighs about the same as one. Its massive, but nothing but normal keys on it. The only "odd" thing is that most of them lack a windows key.

The design uses springs rather than rubber domes which makes the keyboard "click" audibly like a typewriter. They have a drainage system in case of spills and can be disassembled and cleaned and put back together like a machine. The second you type on one you will know its quite different. If you're interested here are some sites:

This Company bought the patent and equipment from IBM and makes new ones:

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html

This is a mecca for the originals:

http://clickykeyboards.com/

[Breambutt]

Nothing like the ancient IBM keybs. You could abuse them with blunt objects, throw them off a cliff and spill mugfuls of coffee over them time and again... and even in the year 2010 they still work.

Nowadays you spill a few drops and it's broken forever.

I happen to like the Logitech UltraX (or somesuch) though. Flat surface, flat keys, traditional layout. No frills except for a compact column of Media/PlayPause/Mute/Favorites/E-Mail/WWW.

[Mirai_-_]

I have to concur with standingwave. Nothing beats correct posture and keyboard position--I've gone through this, and I finally fixed it by adjusting the keyboard height.

[Breambutt]

I'm doomed for eternity of back/neck/shoulder pains because of the height of my computer desk, but it's the only desk sturdy enough for my audio studio stuff. And I'm not exactly made of money. And the chair was horrible too, but luckily my friend left his ancient wooden chair over here during a wonderful 2-man LAN party where we get hammered and bully little children on the internet, and suddenly I'm not achy any more after placing a couple of pillows under my lardy butt.

Cool story short: grow in height or re-evaluate the entire workstation.

[TheLions]

Logitech UltraX Premium

http://www.abclinuxu.cz/images/screenshots/4/7/140974-logitech-ultrax-premium-keyboard-62804.jpg

[Breambutt]

^
^
That's the one I meant. Sleek, sexy, elegant and begging to be used for witty remarks. I don't like the look of the ones I managed to Google earlier.

[TheNessus]

Since having a laptop I can't handle normal keyboards; they all have too much space between the keys. it's like needing a basketballer's hand to handle such keyboards... Any keyboards with tight key formation?

[Breambutt]

Since having a laptop I can't handle normal keyboards; they all have too much space between the keys. it's like needing a basketballer's hand to handle such keyboards... Any keyboards with tight key formation?
Oh God, you can have my "laptop" keyboard. It's horrible. I keep hitting like 5 different keys at once and my hands are actually quite graceful, almost feminine. You must have really small hands or short fingers. :(

http://www.logitech.com/en-za/keyboards/keyboard/devices/177

Even my musician fingers don't bend and stretch for that kind of thumbscrew action. To be fair, I bought it for a gaming computer. I guess if you use all of the basic keys regularly you'll get used it eventually. Probably didn't help that I've never owned a laptop and always hated their built-in keyboards.

[samalex]

Though I'm not a huge fan of Microsoft, I've used the Microsoft Natural Keyboard for over 10 years now. I lucked into one with a former employer when someone ordered it and didn't like it, and I was hooked. I have two at home (thought I no longer use desktops at home anymore) and I think I've gone through two maybe three at work since around 1999. Mostly I've had to replace them due to spilled drinks, so mechanically they seem very well built (just don't hold-up too well to Dr Pepper). The one I'm typing on now I think is about 6 or 7 years old, and still works like a champ being used 7+ hours a day.

http://images17.newegg.com/is/image/newegg/23-109-143-S02?$S180W$

Newegg sells them for about $35 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109143&cm_re=microsoft_natural-_-23-109-143-_-Product) (pictured above), and there's no multimedia keys on them, which like you I loath those extra keys all over the keyboard.

If I type on a flat keyboard, even my laptop, for too long I wrists start to hurt, but the ergo keyboards really help since I sit in front of a computer 8 hours a day at work.

Take care --

Sam

[RiceMonster]

Logitech UltraX Premium

http://www.abclinuxu.cz/images/screenshots/4/7/140974-logitech-ultrax-premium-keyboard-62804.jpg

I like.

[Странник]

I used to have a cheap A4tech..it was pretty nice

[steelcap]

I'm using an IBM Model M. Not ergonomic, per say

The holy grail of keyboards is the IBM M15 (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/12675)

Ergonomic and buckling spring. Expect to pay big money if you ever find one.

[samalex]

The holy grail of keyboards is the IBM M15 (http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/12675)

Ergonomic and buckling spring. Expect to pay big money if you ever find one.

Honestly I had about 3 keyboards from the original IBM 5150 XT computer, but I never could find an adapter to connect them to a modern computer via USB. I took them to Goodwill earlier this year (regretting it now).

I loved those old keyboards, but I think my office mates wouldn't like the clicking since they were quite loud.

Sam