Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 413

Portable Ergonomic Keyboard?

Hi All,

I was wondering if any manufactures produced an Ergonomic Keyboard that is Portable?

I travel constantly, and I need a keyboard that isn't so painful on my wrists. I already haul around a MS Optical Trackball - saves my wrist from that "pencil eraser" in between my laptop!

I love the MS Natural Keyboards, but they're not that portable. Maybe something like the Stowaway, but with the ergonomic gap between they keys?

Does anyone have any suggestions? It can be PS/2 or USB - USB Preferred.

Thanks!

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 413

Does anyone know?

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Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Sydney Australia
Posts: 1883

never seen anything like that... sorry..

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 413

Darn, someone's gotta make one - this is a great opportunity!

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 12

Well I think the thought behind it is, that you are not doing a "lot" of typing on it, so why make it ergonomic.

Although, the way the stowaway comes apart and folds this way and that, it wouldn't seem all that difficult to pop it up and slip it in the middle, like the ergonomic ones.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 413

quote:

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Originally posted by Appleman
Well I think the thought behind it is, that you are not doing a "lot" of typing on it, so why make it ergonomic.

Although, the way the stowaway comes apart and folds this way and that, it wouldn't seem all that difficult to pop it up and slip it in the middle, like the ergonomic ones.

---

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Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
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By the time you put an add-on keyboard on the laptop, you will need so much desk space that you may as well be bringing a full-size keyboard anyway!

Some options to consider...

1.) Wrist rests. I know, I know- these are far from perfect solutions, but they work better of you can angle your keyboard downwards- opposite of the 'normal' way so your wrists don't have to do that upward hitch.

2.) Just angling the keyboard so the space bar is the highest may be enough to relieve the wrist pain.

-As you know, the two big contributers to the wrist problem are the upward cocked angle most keyboards inflict on you, and the outward rotation from straight out of your wrists. Relieving one is better than nothing.

3.) Consider the "Virtually Indestructable Keyboard"- it is nice and flat, making it easier to use a wrist rest or other positioning aid better, and it is nicely portable. (I got one at CompUSA and have seen them nearly everywhere, but do not have a website on hand for them!)

4.) They can be expensive, but some of the special keyboards made for people with disabilities might help- some are very compact, others are designed for alternative entry, etc. Try www.tashinc.com or www.intellitools.com as starting points.

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Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007
By the time you put an add-on keyboard on the laptop, you will need so much desk space that you may as well be bringing a full-size keyboard anyway!

---

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Well, I just got this reply from indestructiblekeyboard.com in regards to producing a portable ergonomic keyboard:

quote:

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No, we do not. Sorry.

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quote:

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Originally posted by MitzEclipse
Is this the product you're talking about? http://indestructiblekeyboard.com/

My question is how is the feedback on those things? Does it FEEL like a normal keyboard? I emailed the company to see if they produce portable ergonomic keyboards - there wasn't one on their website that I found.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007


Yep- that's it. It is a pretty decent keyboard- good feedback/tactile response, etc. It is flatter and thinner than a regular keyboard, which by itself is not a big help except that it helps make wrist rests more effective.

I had a rather odd idea you might enjoy- use two of the Mini-Indestructable Keyboards (and a USB splitter or other adaptor) and position one for each hand. They can overlap with no problem- and it might work out perfectly for you since you can spread them to fit your exact needs!

In fact, you could lay one on each thigh and not need any additional table-top space AND have your arms, wrists, and hands in a nearly perfect ergonomic position! The silicon rubber would 'stick' to your clothes well enough that they should not slip or slide too much in use, and I'd bet you'd adapt to the unusual position quickly enough.

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Vermont
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BAT Chord Keyboard

http://www.nanopac.com/Keyboard.htm

It would require a little relearning but looks worth it. It also looks small enough to tote around easily.

The web site wants $199 for it, but a catalog I get (LS&S, 1-800-468-4789, no www) only wants $185.

- cml

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, WA USA
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Re: BAT Chord Keyboard

quote:

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Originally posted by cml
http://www.nanopac.com/Keyboard.htm

It would require a little relearning but looks worth it. It also looks small enough to tote around easily.

The web site wants $199 for it, but a catalog I get (LS&S, 1-800-468-4789, no www) only wants $185.

- cml

---

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Registered: Sep 1999
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quote:

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Originally posted by MitzEclipse


Hm..thanks for the tips - I'm going to go to CompUSA this weekend to see how well I'll like the keyboard...

Thanks again!

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Re: BAT Chord Keyboard

quote:

---

Originally posted by cml
http://www.nanopac.com/Keyboard.htm

It would require a little relearning but looks worth it. It also looks small enough to tote around easily.

The web site wants $199 for it, but a catalog I get (LS&S, 1-800-468-4789, no www) only wants $185.

- cml

---

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Re: Re: BAT Chord Keyboard

quote:

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Originally posted by Madkins007

Someone USED to make a keyboard that was split in half so you could position each half independently, but I have not seen it in years.

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Location: Cincinnati, OH USA
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quote:

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Originally posted by MitzEclipse
Well, I just got this reply from indestructiblekeyboard.com in regards to producing a portable ergonomic keyboard:

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No, we do not. Sorry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doh! Someone's gotta make one !

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 12

That is not an ergonomic keyboard on their website. It is a flexible one that is "bulged" up, to show that it is flexible.