Why do keyboards have legs

They do tend to be a bit louder and more expensive, though, so keep that in mind as you shop. The main draw of wired keyboards is the responsiveness which, depending on the task, may or may not make a difference. The drawback to wired keyboards is that it can restrict the area that it is used in and can pose as a nuisance, getting in the way of documents or other desk items. However, if your keyboard stays in one place most of the time and the wire doesn't get in the way of other elements on the desk, having a wired keyboard is reasonable.

There are many more downsides to wireless keyboards: they're more expensive, require batteries and often take up a USB port on your machine unless they're Bluetooth.

Remember, comfort and health come first. You probably spend lots of time sitting at your desk using the keyboard, so anything that can be done to reduce the risk of injury is worthwhile —the rest is just a matter of convenience.

All Rights Reserved. Our Blog. Category: Ergonomics. Keyboard Tilt We've all seen those little feet that extend out of our keyboards to create a positive slope angle, but did you ever ask what the real purpose is? Palm Rest The palm rest, or commonly referred to as a wrist rest, is a cushion that is placed in front of the length of the keyboard. Number Pad vs. Mouse Touchpad There are also keyboards with a mouse touchpad on the side. Then I slid the folded paper bundle under my keyboard to slightly prop it up so I could try this inverted typing angle.

The results? It felt very strange, but I could definitely see the benefits of using this typing style. This typing angle may not be for everybody, but I definitely recommend you try it out. I typed out this entire article using the inverted typing angle, and the more I use it, the better it feels.

We talked about how an inverted typing angle is better for typing, but what about other ways to improve ergonomics? Adjusting your chair height, desk height, and monitor are all great places to start to improve ergonomics. These relatively small and easy changes can lead to drastic improvements in your posture. The rule of thumb is to keep everything at a 90 degree angle. So, you want your chair to be high enough to keep your knees and hips at 90 degree angle. You also want your desk to be high enough to keep your elbows perpendicular and your monitor to where you are looking straight ahead of you.

We have a more detailed guide about ergonomic workstations here. Split keyboards are much different than a standard keyboard since they are optimized for ergonomics and comfort. The question of whether keyboard feet are essential or not is very subjective.

Different users of computers have a varied opinion on this matter. What is critical, however, is how keyboard feet assist your needs. For ergonomics, most users will be quick to dismiss the keyboard feet as a hindrance. The argument is that keyboard feet increase the probability of straining the wrists. The inclination that the feet provide to the keyboard is to be blamed for the likely injuries.

However, the inclination provided by keyboard feet also improves the visibility of non-blind users. With the improvement, these users can type much faster and more comfortably. For ergonomics purposes then, a compromise has to be made. This can be done by using the keyboard feet to achieve the right visibility angle.

The user can also support the wrist by a means of a wrist pad. By this consideration, the ergonomic benefits of keyboard feet can be enjoyed while the limitations are overcome. Blind users, on the other hand, have the advantage of being able to type without looking at the keyboard. For them, their pertinent need would be maximum comfort when typing.

As such they are the proponents of ergonomics. Something that blind users do not need. Generally, keyboard feet serve a purpose. They should never be ignored. If at a certain time they are not being used, it is better to store them. It is unknown when they will come in handy. If not, you may need to read up a bit more on postural ergonomics for computing. But to lay it out for you, you should either be sitting up straight or be slightly reclining while sitting for a neutral keyboard tilt to benefit you the most.

Another matter to consider is that some keyboards are designed to have a positive tilt to them. If the positive tilt is to a small degree, than its most likely not a problem, unless you feel strain in your wrists while you are typing. If the positive tilt is quite aggressive, then you can neutralize the tilt by raising the keyboard from the front. This can be achieved with a separate keyboard feet-stand , some cardboard or the like, or an adjustable keyboard tray.

The reason why a slight negative tilt is the best ergonomic option because it accounts for the total shape of the hand. Normally when you using a keyboard flat, the wrist may have a slight upward bent to it. But if you are a typist by trade, or if you find yourself in situations where you type for long periods of time frequently, you will find that after a while your wrists have become painfully sore.

You can achieve a negative keyboard tilt by raising the keyboard from the front with a separate keyboard feet-stand or a keyboard tray. So another important question is if you should tilt your keyboard while you play video games.