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Get a keyboard tray for under your desk to keep it low.

Posted By: Top of monitor should be even with eyeball level. on 2007-10-19
In Reply to: best position and board for typing - getting old

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My desk came with a keyboard tray, as do most of them

I've seen.  It is just a flat piece that slides in and out maybe 4 inches below my desk surface.  My parents bought me an adjustable tray years ago for Christmas.  It has levers that I can raise or lower it or tilt from side to side.  It recently broke and I'm using it in a fixed position now and not able to push it up under my desk when not in use. 


You can check any store like Office Depot or Staples and they have various kinds of keyboard trays.  You can look on-line, but they also have various ones setup in the store.  You can check e-bay too. 


I have tried working sitting up in bed or in a recliner.  I put something heavy on the bed and then prop my footpedal up against it and that works fairly well.  In a recliner I put the pedal on the leg rest and used my heel to push it, which I didn't think worked very well.  It kept slipping and I spent a lot of time messing with it to try to adjust it instead of typing.  I read a few years ago about an MT who had rigged her pedal so it was nailed to the wall.  I don't have a space to do that, plus I don't see how you get close enough to push the pedal if you are in a recliner.


 


The perfect desk! No more chasing the keyboard tray or breaking it...
After years of going through desks at an unbelievable rate due to flimsy keyboard trays, I have found the perfect desk with adding a slight modification. I purchased a glass and aluminum desk (RTA Home and Office Products CT-009 from Willey Goat). The keyboard tray is actually a glass shelf. However, it did not come out far enough, and I contacted a local glass company to cut a longer piece of glass and RTA for extra parts to support an extended the shelf. Now I have a keyboard tray nice and big that I do not have to chase all day that will not break. I am in love! This desk was so easy to put together, unlike others that come in a million pieces. For anybody tired of those flimsy, ugly desks and extra support to rest your wrists/arms on, this is great!
Kinesis Keyboard and keyboard tray

Okay, any lefties use this keyboard? How long did it take to get used to? I use my left thumb for the space bar and I notice on a diagram of the keys that I would always be hitting the backspace key.


I'm really interested in getting a better keyboard. I destroyed my left hand and wrist the other week when I fell because I'm becoming a real klutz.


I bought the Soft Flex gloves, but they only help a little bit. My production is down because of it and it's driving me crazy. I can only type an hour without stopping and then have to rest the hand for some time.


I did buy a Microsoft 2000 keyboard but have yet to recieve it. Is this a good one?


Do you use a keyboard tray with it or just set it on the desk? Do you think a kayboard tray would be the least expensive item right now that would help with a straight keyboard?


Any info you can provide to help me in making any decision would be greatfully appreciated.


'Scuse me for being old school, but I've only ever used a straight keyboard.


 


Looking for a tray for my keyboard...
one of those that goes under the desk, slides out, and can be adjusted up and down for height. I had one when I worked at the hospital and would love to have one at home. Do any of you know where I could order one?
Keyboard tray
I bought my first one through Viking and the second one through Office Depot.  Love it as I can put is in dozens of positions and I love to have my keyboard slanted.   Been doing this for over 20 years and never have had carpal tunnel or hand pains and type 35 to 40,000 lines per month.  Docs cannot believe it and I do attribute it to the my keyboard that I am able to adust so much.  Costs over $100 if I remember but well worth it and in 20 years have only been through 2 which is a lot better than my keyboards.   Look online at Office Depot.   Good luck.   Patti
Keyboard tray
I actually found it the perfect keyboard tray! It's the single best investment I've made in years!

The AKP keyboard platform is enormously versatile...it will do absolutely everything. I love it, have been using it for 6 months now and can't imagine not having it.

Jeb Scannell is the owner, and was wonderful to work with. I was concerned about working with a footpedal, as the platform has a star base, but he explained how other MTs have used it, and I truly have no trouble.

There are several models, and lots of different surfaces for the tops. I recommend contacting Jeb directly...he often has slightly flawed tops that he will put together and sell at a discount. I saved quite a bit on mine, and I still haven't found the supposed flaw.

Web -- www.akp-inc.com

Email -- Jeb@akp-inc.com or akp20@aol.com

Voice Mail -- 727-526-6278 or toll free 1-877-925-7462 (1-877-9-AKPINC)

Jeb's direct Line: 727-410-1841

Val
Keyboard tray
I worked at a hospital where we had fully adjustable trays...I ended up adjusting mine until it ended up flat like a regular old keyboard tray (!)  The key for me, too, is the ergonomic keyboard and proper ergonomic alignment. 
Keyboard Tray

Hi,


I wanted to get some opinions on a keyboard tray.  I am using an ergonomic split keyboard that rests on my desktop.  I use wrist braces, and some days my wrists still ache.  I wanted the opinion of anyone who had used a keyboard tray versus not and if there was a difference.  Is there such a tray that you don't have do drill into your desk to attach it?  Any benefits that justify the cost of the tray?  I have my monitor on a monitor stand to help prevent neck strain.  That seems to help.  Just looking for any ideas to help save my wrists. 


 


Thanks in advance!


Keyboard tray
I don't know what you mean by "tray." The one I prefer has a plastic wrist rest attached which can be taken off. Using this, you can rest your wrists on the wrist rest as you type and it gives support to your hands and wrists. Using this, you don't need the gloves or the splints. Just keep your elbows close to your body and level with your keyboard and rest your wrists on the wrist rest as you type. Simple basic ergonomics is all. Also try to relax. Getting tense may put extra strain on your wrists and hands. Never used ergonomic keyboard. Tried it once and go nowhere fast.
snap on keyboard tray
I bought a keyboard tray with brackets (sorta like an over the door organizer that has the brackets on each side to fit over the door). It took less than 1 minute to install, just push the keyboard tray brackets over the edge of the desk and tighten the knobs. It has a rubber guard inside the bracket to prevent scarring up the desk. It then works like a regular under the desk pull out keyboard tray. The pull out tray is already installed, just fit the brackets over the desk and tighten the 2 knobs and the keyboard will slide from up under the desk. It was $24 at Wal-mart.
Adjustable keyboard tray?
I'm a short person and need to get an adjustable keyboard tray that I can move up or down to accommodate my height better (one that slides under my computer desk as well of course).  Can anyone recommend a particular brand and model?  There are so many out there and I need a good one.  Thanks!
Free-standing keyboard tray
I found a free-standing keyboard tray that might be handy for travel. There is a picture of it at this site. Here is the link:
http://www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=49
I prop a pillow on my keyboard tray and then

put my keyboard on the pillow.  You need a sort of squishy pillow, too firm and it doesn't work.    I find that it makes me sit with my back against the back of the chair and it also helps with pain in fingers, wrists, and shoulders. 


I use a standard bed pillow - foam not feather. 


I removed the drawer to mount the keyboard tray.
Surprisingly, I didn't need that drawer as much as I thought I would. I found an adjustment keyboard tray at a bargain clearance store for $19, originally sold for around $80. Try ebay, too.
Split keyboard mounted on chair arms versus split keyboard on desk

For longtime comfort which is best - split keyboard mounted on chair arms or split keyboard to be used on the desk?


Also, why the preference over split keyboards that come totally apart versus split keyboards that are permanently connected at the top?


I want to revamp my office and there are so many different options.


Keyboard, lap desk, etc.
How have you got everything else set up? I am assuming you are not using the laptop keyboard... I can't do that. I have to have a real keyboard. Have you found a lap desk, or how are you situated that makes it possible to work in bed? I have fibromyalgia.... on flare days, I sure could use the comfort. Thanks for the tip about the foot pedal!
Keyboard is fine, mouse batteries goes pretty quick though and if my desk
the signal from the mouse to the transmitter/receiver thing gets messed up, so then move all the junk and all is well. Rarely change the keyboard batteries, mouse every 3 weeks probably. PRO: Like not having wires though, CON: Put in a good supply of batteries.
keboard tray
I needed some height for my keyboard and I bought a laptop stand...one that is adjustable. I bought it at office max. it is adjustable and works just great for me....
I have a wooden bed tray that I use for

holding my laptop.  I have a heavy box that I put near the foot of my bed to prop my footpedal up against, and then I use a pillow in my lap for my keyboard. 


 


Anyone use an articulating mouse tray? sm
I have an articulating keyboard tray which is not quite large enough to place my mouse on without causing me to get a shoulder cramp from incorrect positioning. Does anyone use an articulating mouse tray,and if so, which one did you purchase? Thank you very much.
On a wooden TV tray for more mobility.
x
Can you see the Icon in system tray..
next to your clock (right bottom corner)? Otherwise, you just installed it. Go to programs menu and run it first.
Yes, the icon is in the systems tray. nm
nm
Check EBay for the tray. Think can remove
x
icons/tool tray on side of screen
Can't move them back to the bottom where they were, inadvertently moved them when resizing screens.  How do I get them back on the bottom?  TIA
On your start up icon tray (right lower corner) there is
an icon that looks like a green arrow pointing down.  If you click once on that, your transnet status box pops back up.
I use a MSFT Natural keyboard at home and the laptop keyboard on the road. nm

favorite keyboard over the holidays is called "no keyboard"
nm
If you use a standard keyboard you can buy an old IBM model M keyboard on ebay or clickykeyboards.co

That key printing never wear down because the letters are part of the key itself.  They just don't make them that way anymore because it is too expensive to make.  Some of the mechanical keyboards like Cherry have what they double shot key imprinting and the letters are part of the key itself and don't wear off. That IBM keyboard is very noisy from the type of keyswitch it has so you may not like that.  Logitech and Belkin make some membrane switch keyboards that are supposed to have longer lasting key imprints.  I have a logitech that has the longer lasting key imprints and it is pretty good.  You have to look on the specs to find out if has the longer lasting key printing.


I have experimented so much with keyboards and have done a lot of research.  Way too much info.  


 


I use a laptop with a full-size keyboard (no separate keyboard)
I'm using a lap desk but previously was using a pillow with a book on it under the laptop. No additional keyboard though, I bought one with a full-sized board with regular size keys (an HP) which I LOVE and it took no time at all to get used to it. I also love that when the weather improves, I can take my computer outside and get some fresh air! What a great job... :)
Keyboard and mouse. Is there such a thing as a keyboard that has a mouse on the actual keyboard?
nm

My desk...
is 5 inches from my bed - but I hate the long commute!
Go to desk top
Double click MyComputer.
Right click on drive you want to look at and click properties. This will bring up a pie graft of how much used or free space is available.
What's your desk like?
I am in the market for a new desk.  What type of desk do you have, i.e. U-shaped, L-shaped, armoire, etc. and are you comfortable/happy with it?  Any recommendations on where to go to get a good deal?
old desk

I have an old antique desk that was in my grandfather's accounting office.


If I were going to buy a brand new desk, here are some of the things that I would look for. 


Space on top of the desk - do you want a lot of stuff on the desk, or just room for the monitor and a cup of coffee.  I have a TV and 3 cat beds on my desk, so large works for me.  I would sit at the desk and check the height of the keyboard tray or the positioning of the keyboard.  Is it too high, too low, if you are seated appropriately, will it work for you.  Does the tray pull out and if so does that bring you too far away from the desk itself to see the monitor?  Is the tray adjustable at all?  If you have arms on your chair, will the arms fit below the desk, or will they bump into things.  Measure the space in your office where the desk is going to go and make sure you have those dimensions with you when you look at any other desk.  Is the monitor position exactly centered in front of the keyboard?  It amazes me when it is not.


Check the drawers.  Do they pull out easily and are they sturdy enough to hold all the stuff that inevitably ends up crammed in them.


Is there a designated space for the CPU?  If so, is it easy to get to the back of it in case you need to plug/unplug peripherals?  That part is important - I worked with one of those big computer desks and it was a PAIN to have to change things or plug things in.  What about spaces for the computer speakers (if you have peripheral speakers.)  Do you plug your headphones directly into the computer or do you plug them into the speakers?  Is the plug easy to get to?  I have to unplug my headphones and put them away every night or else they'll get gnawed on, so ease of plugging them in is important to me.


When it is delivered, will they put it together for you either for free or an extra cost?


I am a HUGE fan of online shopping, but I have to say that this is probably one thing that I would not buy online.  For something this large I would want to be able to see it and sit at it to see if it really works for my needs.


Happy shopping!


I have a desk for that
It is called an AirDesk. I use it in my recliner when my back is bothering me and I can't sit up straight at my desk. Google it and take a look at it. It was a little pricey, but it was well worth it to me. They make a version for laptops and a version for a regular sized desktop PC, which is the one I have.
Has anyone used the Smartboard keyboard? Everyone tell what keyboard they have and rate it nm
nm
Does anyone know of a keyboard that has the backspace key in the center of the keyboard? NM
nm
They chain U to ur desk!

I have them at my desk but no, I don't bring anything
to the living room to work. I've been on my same accounts with each company I work for since I started with them and I know the dictators extremely well.

I have an advantage with Spheris that I don't with MQ in that I can look up past reports by any criteria - by dictator, by patient, etc., to find anything that is a pattern.

The only book I occasionally reference is Tessier's The Surgical Word Book. Other than that, I have many online refences provided by both companies that they specifically want me to use.

I've done this over 20 years and I'm very fortunate -- I just don't have to look many things up anymore. When I do, it is usually a new product - instrument, drug, procedure, treatment, etc. Yesterday, I had to look up "Fansler speculum", which I had never had before. Probably refer to that book maybe 2-3 times a week. Spheris always sends me a new updated word list that includes newest information about every month. MTDesk has some really good references.

I have well over 70 websites that are "favorites" for reference.

When I travel and want to work, I only take The Surgical Word Book with me.

But everyone had ash trays on their desk :)

The cafeteria was a blue haze of cigarette smoke too even though the smokers could smoke at their desks.


The nonsmokers had to go outside to breathe during lunch instead of the smokers going out to smoke.


Now THAT is a change for the better.


My DH was putting together my new desk and he had

gotten to the deep drawer where files go.  He put the frame of the drawer together without putting the bottom of the drawer on.  Fortunately I happened to walking through the room at this point and told him he has to put the bottom in the grooves on one side before he can finishing putting the drawer together.  He tells me that the directions don't say anything about that.  I told him common sense dictates that you have to put the bottom before you put the second side on.   Poor man.  He is very bright, but has zilch common sense.  I'm not very book smart, but have been blessed with my share of common sense and then some, so I guess we made a good couple - LOL. 


I believe MT Desk has samples.
xx
height of desk
But aren't most hotel desks sort of high? That is what I was wondering.  It does seem like a convenient options.  My husband travels a lot, and once the kids are both in college, I would like to start going with him some. 
MT Desk clan? More like...

 


...be prepared to do your own searching for the answers. 


MT Desk participants will offer you thinking and researching ideas, but they will not toss you the answers as easily as it is done here or other MT sites.  It is managed very differently than other MT sites and the participants adhere to the "teach them to fish" rule.


MTs, especially those of us that work at home, should be able to be self-reliant in this field and possess decent researching skills. 


As you've all just experienced last week, what happens in the future if both MTStars.com/net just *poof* from web again?  Who will give you the answers, when you are so used to having someone else do the researching for you? 


Surely there's been exchanging of harsh words now and again, but I've seen the same thing happen here on this site and others.  Major difference is, on THIS site, you can't tell who is making the comments, because on this site, you can hide who you are by changing your name for each post you make, whereas on MTDesk, each person has 1 identity for every post they make.  So yes, on MT Desk you WILL see the same folks replying on 'hot' topics as they do not have as much flexibility to name change between posts as is so easily done here.


Clan?  I think not.  I see it as a group of folks helping other MTs hone their researching and thinking skills, helping you to hopefully become a self-reliant MT.


Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with MT Desk.


LOL- What does an "organized desk" mean????
x
desk wireless
My desktop is wireless and connected by a router to the modem downstairs in our house. The wireless network is passworded. People can steal from unsecured wireless networks, but a good hacker can probably steal from any network.
I got rid of my HUGE desk...sm
i use a 20 inch widescreen laptop and i just ordered a very small rolling desk.  i use wireless keyboard, mouse, and headphones. that way, I can roll my office outdoors when the weather is nice or in my bedroom or any place I will be comfortable as I suffer from chronic back problems.
I have an armoire desk

I love my armoire desk when I am done with work....It closes up so I don't have to look at work at night or on weekends when I don't have to work.  My old desk was all open and every time I would walk past, I would get a guilty feeling because I was not working. 


Also, when company is over, they don't have to look at all my sticky notes.  On the inside of the doors, I stuck some corkboard on them so that I can tack up all kind of notes and a calander, things that I use often.  


The only drawback is it does feel a little cramped when sitting there for more than 8 hours, and my books are on a shelf up a little high, so I have quite a stretch to reach them. 


Overall, I love it.  Hope you find one that works for you. 


laptop vs desk top

Mercedes  -- not sure how others do it, but I have both a desk top and a laptop.  I started on my desk top and moved to a laptop, as I make frequent trips to the Chicago area and could take my work with me.  I use a zip drive for some of the lesser used materials, so as to cut down on my files on the laptop and basically use my desk top as a backup and where I house my invoices, etc.  Just thought this might help.  It has worked for me for almost two years.


 


MT Desk also has samples.
nm