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Keyboard Tray

Posted By: CarpTun on 2008-07-22
In Reply to:

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!




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


 


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.
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!
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

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
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.


Gold touch makes a keyboard without number pad. Also the evoluent keyboard has the number pad on th
It is a very small keyboard and has laptop keys which are very quiet and light to the touch.  Almost no noise.
Keyboard
I'm in the same boat. My PC Concepts had the integrated touch mouse on the keyboard. PC Concepts no longer makes this in the English version. It was the best ergo KB I have ever used. I bought a Micro Innovations keyboard to replace it after much searching and this keyboard is a PIECE OF GARBAGE!

The touch buttons for the mouse are on either side, rather than below and it's very akward to use the mouse.

Not to mention the fact that their "ergonomic design" is one of a thumbs down with the "gentle curve" going inward rather than out.

Just DO NOT waste your money on a Micro Innovations keyboard.

By the way. I sent an email BEGGING PC-Concepts to bring back the English version. Never heard anything from them.

I did order another keyboard from them tho. Should be here hopefully today. The only difference is that the integrated finger mouse is detached on a little pad. I figure I can glue it to the keyboard and give that a try.

Will let you know how it works out and if I find a secret stash of the old PC-iMMT keyboards anywhere.
Keyboard
Try E-Bay for different ergonomic keyboards.  Quite often I have seen keyboards with the touchpad bottom center.  You can also get touchpads just by themselves, that you can position any place you want.  I got my Goldtouch keyboard off E-Bay and I love it.  I tried using my old flat keyboard again and hated it.
keyboard
I go through at least one if not  two keyboards a year because I wear the letters off.  Though I don't need them it is weird to type without them.    This last one was expensive and so am trying to get 15 months out of it.   Never spilled anything on it, just wear out the keys. 
keyboard
I would also suggest not wahing an ergonic keyboard.  When I got just one little drop of water underneath the keys, it shorted out the keyboard.  All I could get after that was jumbled characters.
911 keyboard wet
I spilled pepsi on kb last night.  I have used ergo kb for over 10 years.  I am trying to type this on regular kb, not doing too good.  My backspace on ergo was affected.  I don't have money to get new keyboard because I recently went to work for company that puts up good posts but steals lines.  How do I fix KB.  Any help appreciated.
Keyboard
You can try seeing if the keys will pop off that are giving you trouble and then use a Q-Tip and alcohol to clean the keys and the area where you spilled the drink.  That may work. 
keyboard

If neither one works then you are not getting a reading or connected via the received.  Have you pushed the "connect" button on both?   Are by accident using rechargable batteries?  Are the batteries good?  I have a rechargable Logitech now and thinking back to my one that wasn't to remember  how it works.  Sometimes you have to move the receiver around a bit so that it can receive the connection as that is how it works.   Are you sure you are plugged into the correct port on the back of your computer.  I am sure you have checked all of this but just going over in my mind what I would check  Again, you have to sometimes push the connect button simultaneously  on the keyboard and the connection base station.   But move the base station around, recheck the batteries and that is all I can say.  I could not type a couple of time but moving my base made it possible.  GO onto Logitech and check out their site for help also. 


Good luck - Patti


 


Keyboard
Yeah me too...but now that I contract I never stop typing and I usually spill something on my keyboard before it gets that old anymore! Do they have a keyboard with straps like a hotdog vendor? Now that is something I'd be interested in.
new keyboard
Thanks for answering. I am
contacting clickykeyboards, because it sounds like the IBM M is the one I want. I have never done well with the ergonomic keyboards.

Thanks again.
I'd get the keyboard and get rid of the DH. but thats just me.
nm
Who was looking for the NMB keyboard

I found one in my pile of old computer stuff that I'm sorting through.  It sams NMB The Right Touch and it is a heavy keyboard with a big round plug-in, not USB or PS2.


I left e-mail address, if you want it let me know and you can have it for postage. 


 


Just go and buy the keyboard...
They are about $30.  I've got one and haven't had a problem since.  Get rid of the husband.  If he has time to go stay with Dad for hours at a time..... he has time to get a part-time job!!  I can't believe you put up with that crap.   Grrrrrr -- some women really tick me off when they let men walk all over them.  They have no backbone!!    I feel sorry for the kids.  They have horrible role models whether it's mother or father!
Jan, I would like to know exactly which keyboard
I have a totally split one very much like the one you describe (a PerfecTouch or Ergo 2000), but this one is wearing out again, and I think I'll go for another brand of split next time.  The Kinesis Maxim you showed doesn't seem to split totally apart as you described yours doing, though?  (Mine can separate up to 14 inches apart, so I can also put a notepad or whole sheet of regular paper, etc., between the halves of mine.)
keyboard
I'm in Illinois. Where are YOU? :)
keyboard
Mine is a Lexmark, one of the very first totally split keyboards with totally separate sides. I really need a new one, though, as the keys are wearing out. I'll have to look at the Maxim again. I thought it came apart; guess not, huh? I'd want mine to come apart, like my own and like yours (SM). Then let's look at the Goldtouch. I believe it comes apart. There is a really new one called (I think) Safetype, too. The two halves actually stand up vertically, instead of being flat on the desk. I'm not sure I could get used to THAT much of a change, but it does seem to prevent wrist injuries.
keyboard
I believe mine came already programmed with the left space bar as the backspace.  But it's been ten years, so I can't swear to it.  Believe me, if it had to be programmed by me, and I accomplished it, then it can't be too difficult...hee-hee!
keyboard

Ha!  What a nut I am!  I wondered "why does she want to know where I am?"    Go to:  www.comfortkeyboard.com.  There are three models, but a lot more expensive than Goldtouch or Maxim.  I think they're worth it, though, as they do come totally apart.  What d'ya think?


keyboard
Yep. That's it. :)
Keyboard
I just purchased an I-Rock X-Structure Slim Keyboard and so far I really like it.  For more information go to http://www.directron.com/kr6100silver.html.