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Ergonomic Keyboard for Macbook Pro?
- Thread starter Mac2c
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Thanks for the suggestion. My goal is really to have a keyboard I can use for extended hours and protect the wrist and hands (not even sure what that involves really) . Do you use this keyboard or do you use the standard keyboard from apple?
Instead of changing the keyboard, consider just changing your hand positions. I keep my wrists in line with my arms, with fingers still on the home keys but with more flexible fingering (including right pinky typically over the Return). It's been working for me for decades with no hint of wrist trouble. I actually learned to touch-type the traditional way, but my hands migrated to the more comfortable position over time. It's silly that they don't teach it that way.
I think what you are saying is to have your wrists and hands aligned with your arm rather then bending them? Bending being the thing that causes issues? Mind taking a picture of what you mean by your hands have migrated to a more comfortable position while following those rules?
I have my fingers on the F and J letters on the keyboard on my left and right hand respectively, but as you know its more comfortable to rest them so the wrists bend upwards and so the fingers get more strained. It kind of sounds like a wrist pad is what will help to keep the wrists aligned in a relaxed position.
I use the Matias replica Apple Keyboard with numberpad at home. Of course it depends on preference. You can check the link below. Its comfortable, wireless, numberpad, and lasts pretty long without recharging.
http://matias.ca/products/
For work I use the old Microsoft Ergo 4000 which is one of the best for office work. If your used to the Apple chicklet style, then the new Surface Ergo Keyboard pictured earlier would be a nice fit.
Also important is the way you sit and try not to slouch a little bit. Either get a nicer chair, and you can find nice ones at auctions rather than pay full price. Or if you have a ghetto chair, try pulling it closer to your desk until your elbows rest on the table and your belly touching table, being nudged in between, to sit straight up. Having the monitor at better height makes a difference too.
Yes, my wrists are aligned with my arms (on average), with palms resting on a palmrest or whatever. Finger home position is generally F E W A and K O P, but that's flexible-- hands hinge a little about palms as needed. I believe I position my fingers initially out of the corner of my eye on the first letter typed and then it's all relative positioning after that. I don't depend on F J key bumps because they're not always there. Once you've practiced this you can confortably use any keyboard. Well, except those ergonomic ones (sorry greentofu!).
That sitting position is quite comfortable I agree. Mind telling me what chair you have?
Ah! I think the palm rest is key because it elevates the wrists, if we are thinking of the same thing, that way the wrist and arms will be aligned better.
Personally, I use the Kinesis Freestyle2 for Mac. Pretty cheap and you can place it however you like:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADNBXE6/
I use it with a palm rest such as this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WU4H5C/
You didn't specify what MacBook Pro, so if it's the 2016 model, then get one of those USB-A-to-C adapters.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADNBXE6/
I use it with a palm rest such as this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WU4H5C/
You didn't specify what MacBook Pro, so if it's the 2016 model, then get one of those USB-A-to-C adapters.
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I also have a Kinesis keyboard, but it's the Advantage2.
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2/
Expensive ($350) and worth every penny.
As well as the slanted position, having the main control & special keys (delete, space, alt, cmd, ctrl, pgup,pgdn etc) clustered next to your thumbs with larger keycaps is a very good efficiency.
The keys are easily reprogrammable too. I have the thumb clusters set up to:
Left: Backdelete, delete, cmd, alt, ctl, esc
Right: Ctl, space, enter, cmd, alt, tab.
I also remap caps lock (in its traditional position on the left of the keyboard to control) and retain tab and escape in the normal positions.
So I have 3 control keys and 2 of cmd, alt, tab and escape at various positions. Great for vim and emacs.
This keyboard has been one of the best purchases I've made and I'd recommend it to anyone -- if they're willing to experiment with someone slightly out of the ordinary.
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2/
Expensive ($350) and worth every penny.
As well as the slanted position, having the main control & special keys (delete, space, alt, cmd, ctrl, pgup,pgdn etc) clustered next to your thumbs with larger keycaps is a very good efficiency.
The keys are easily reprogrammable too. I have the thumb clusters set up to:
Left: Backdelete, delete, cmd, alt, ctl, esc
Right: Ctl, space, enter, cmd, alt, tab.
I also remap caps lock (in its traditional position on the left of the keyboard to control) and retain tab and escape in the normal positions.
So I have 3 control keys and 2 of cmd, alt, tab and escape at various positions. Great for vim and emacs.
This keyboard has been one of the best purchases I've made and I'd recommend it to anyone -- if they're willing to experiment with someone slightly out of the ordinary.
I would suggest the Matias Ergo Pro:
http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/
Wirecutter listed as one of the best ergonomic keyboards. I also have it myself, and I'll admit it is solid and very comfortable to type on. http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/comfortable-ergo-keyboard/
I also have the Kinesis Advantage. The latest iteration is very expensive and you have to get used to the layout. It may take a couple of days to a week to get used to it. I managed to get previous version for just $100 at a garage sale. Overall, I would hesitate to drop $350 on a new one. So unless you get one cheap and have the patience to adjust to the layout, then I would say it is worth it. But yeah it is a good ergonomic keyboard and fun to type on from my perspective.
The Advantage is fantastic. If it's a bit above budget for topic starter, there are good deals for the Freestyle (from the same company).
I think you are to have to try Microsoft's Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. It has those wristpads the will give a good rest for your palms and angled keyboards for your fingers but you will need to get used to it. I do not know how good this is for very prolonged sessions but I see Esports gamers (who game ridiculously long) just use the more generic designs and match it with a budget gaming mouse with programmable keys and dpi options.
Thanks I got the Freestyle2 and love it. Very light strokes and nice click sounds too.
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Great!
Out of curiosity, what kind of pointing device do you use, and where do you place it on the desk?
Yes thanks for the suggestion again!
I'm just using a mouse I had lying around which I need to get rid of because if I put my mac to sleep while in clamshell mode, it sometimes changes the mouse tracking speed to very slow upon waking. Brand is FinalMouse, I'm not even a gamer my bro is a pro gamer so got it from him.
So in fact I need a new mouse and also looking for recommendations. What do you use right now?
I use the Apple stuff, Magic Mouse for my left hand, and the trackpad for my right hand. I've put the trackpad between the left/right part of the Freestyle2.
I've tried a couple of different things, like trackballs and stuff. But I keep coming back to this setup, it seems best in keeping the painful wrists at bay.
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic is by far the best Keyboard I've used so far and I suffer from RSI a lot. Too bad there is no Mouse or Trackball/Trackpad which can let me work for hours without pain.
Really looking in getting a Treadmill for the desk as I think the pain is coming from my shoulders and them becoming too hard while sitting.
Anyone knows a different solution?
Really looking in getting a Treadmill for the desk as I think the pain is coming from my shoulders and them becoming too hard while sitting.
Anyone knows a different solution?
What OS are you running? Is the Sculpt compatible with MacOS El Capitan? High Sierra?
I am currently running the former but would like something compatible with 10.13 for when I update. I have read many accounts stating it is incompatible with 10.13 and Karabiner seems to be having compatibility issues with 10.13, as well.
Im running High Sierra and auto update it. It works fine with my iMac and so did it with the MBP.
The only issue I have is whenever I plug in some USB Hub into my iMac, the keyboard starts to lag. Same happens to my Logitech Ergo Trackball. It seems like iMacs have problems in general with any USB Hub
Still looking to find one with a Card Reader.
The Kinesis Advantage is the best ergonomic keyboard I've found. I've been using them for many years. I definitely think it's worth the extra money over the freestyle and other "ergonomic" keyboards like Microsoft's and Logitech's offerings. They are, however, very expensive. You also have to be able to type correctly and even still they often require at least a week or two to get used to (and when you do it will be easy to switch back and forth between a regular keyboard and this one).
As for mice, I use a Logitech M570 trackball at work.
Both of these, plus good typing habits, have eliminated all wrist pains I've had in the past.
As for mice, I use a Logitech M570 trackball at work.
Both of these, plus good typing habits, have eliminated all wrist pains I've had in the past.
I've checked out the Kinesis and cannot see how it is ergonomic in the first place. It is flat, isn't it? If so, there is no way it can be good for your wrist and hands. Just like the Magic Keyboard is one of the worst keyboards, because it is flat.
I have used the Logitech M570 as well and its not good either. Again, because it is flat. Yes, you don't have to move your hand as much, but if you have to click all the time, it will simply hurt and cause RSI. Their new Ergo Trackball is much better but still not perfect.
Moreover, Logitech has no keyboard, which can compete with Microsoft's Sculpt. Once again I can tell that from experience. Simply because the Logitech is mostly flat.
The picture below is in German, but picture two illustrates what is really crucial.
On the side note, no matter how ergonomic your setup is, if you perform the same task over and over again it will create pain. That's why RSI is all over the place at all kind of different professions.
No, not at all: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KR1C5PY
You can rest your wrists on the rests, and the keys are placed inside a bowl-like construction around your fingers. Extremely comfortable.
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I might be way late to the game here but I was searching the web for anything regarding using the Surface ergonomical keyboard with a MacBook Pro when I came across this post. I have been using the surface ergonomic keyboard with my Mac for a while now and love the keyboard, however the one issue I'm having is when I start up my mac - which is connected to a docking station with external monitors etc. - the MacBook won't recognize the surface keyboard on the login screen so I have to either use a different keyboard to log in or open the MacBook and type my password that way. But as for ergonomical purposes it's a great keyboard. I do a lot of typing and haven't had any soreness issues with my wrists or hands or fingers.