Ergonomic Computer Keyboard

An ergonomic computer keyboard is a very useful thing if you are on the computer a lot and suffer from repetitive strain injury or Carpal Tunnel syndrome. Because of bad posture while sitting at a computer for a long period of time a better version of the standard keyboard had to be found and that is where the ergonomic computer keyboard got its start.

There are two types of computer keyboards on the market and they are ergonomic split keyboards and vertical ergonomic keyboards. Ergonomic keyboards of both types work on the idea of keeping the shoulders in a relaxed position and the allow the fingers to make extending and flexing motions.

The vertical type of ergonomic keyboard looks like a keyboard with two halves and the two halves are standing straight up and down. The split type is broken into two or three separate sections with large spaces in between.

A couple of downside's to ergonomic computer keyboards is they can be rather pricey and sometimes you need to try multiple keyboards before you find one that feels right for you.

Some features to look for are:

Tenting:

Tenting refers to the upward slope of the two sides of the keyboard so that it forms a tent-like shape in the middle.

Split Key Modules:

These keyboards have separated keying modules for the left and right hands.

Contoured Key Wells:

This breed of ergonomic keyboard has a curved key surface that is built to accommodate the fact that human hands have fingers of different lengths.

Neutral or Negative Slope:

For the most part, slope only applies to regular flat keyboards. The slope is whether the keyboard surface is angled up, down, or flat. I do not recommend flat keyboards, but if you do get one at the very least make sure it has neutral or negative slope--meaning that the keyboard is either flat or angles downward so that the side closest to your body is higher than the side away from your body.

Low Force Keys:

Low force keys tend to be less sticky and much, much quieter. Reducing the loud clickity-clack sound on your ears as you type is worth it alone.

Separate Keypad:

Having a keypad separate from the main keyboard is great because it gets the keypad out of the way of the mouse and allows you to bring the mouse in closer for a more neutral mousing position.

• Ergonomic Vertical Keyboard
  
  The ergonomic vertical keyboards are the newest type of ergonomic keyboard to hit the market.
• Ergonomic Split Keyboard
  
  When you think of ergonomic computer keyboards most people think of a the ergonomic split keyboard