Keyboard Shopping

I've been saying I'm going to get a keyboard to replace my Microsoft Natural Split Keyboard (hate it--makes you raise your wrists, and the keys require too much effort for people with proclivities toward sore hands) and my TouchStream keyboard (never could get used to touch typing on a completely flat keyboard). Well, Monday is the day. (I hope.)

I found out the Kinesis people are right here in the Seattle area, so I made an appointment to visit their shop. Kinesis does all sorts of ergonomic office stuff, and I've been thinking about getting one of their contoured keyboards for a while. As you may already know, ergonomic keyboards (as with anything with the "ergonomic" keyword stuck in front) aren't cheap. This will give me an opportunity to try before I buy. It's too bad more mainstream computer stores don't sell (real) ergonomic keyboards, chairs, and whatnot, because this is one area where it's hard to know if you like it until you've used it.

Anyway, I'll post again in a couple days to let you know how the visit went. Maybe I can play with some of their other toys (ahem, professional office equipment for professional computer users) while I'm there.

Comments

[Michael Sklaar]

Curious as to what you found when you tried the Contour keyboard. I have been trying to decide between the Touchstream and the Contour. Thanks for your feedback.

[Ergoblog]

Hey Michael,

I haven't had a chance to post about my trip yet, but I did end up buying the Kinesis Contoured Keyboard, and I really like it so far (it's much easier to adapt to than the TouchStream--at least for me). I'm going to try and get a full review up in the next few days.

[Michael Sklaar]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to your review.

[David Cantwell]

I am currently using a MS Natural keyboard at work (the newer USB one with the extra buttons along the top). I have two problems with this keyboard - the layout is for Windows and I am using a MAC (I have swapped the keys, but still a bit of a pain). The second is that they keyboard sometimes sends odd inputs - I will often get accountv when I type account and it happens a LOT. We have two of these keyboards and it happens with both on MAC or Windows platform. In addition it changes songs in iTunes for me at random which is very odd. I have been looking for a replacement, but NO WHERE here sells anything else and I have a hard time spending the dollars for some of the keyboards I see online. The Kinesis one looks great so I am looking forward to your comments on it.