I finally got around to doing something about a little aspect of my office that has been bugging me for a while, prompted by this lifehacker post. Because of my too big keyboard, I always had to reach over awkwardly for my mouse. I recently got work to buy me a $13 replacement keyboard (which, so far, I love).
Here’s the old setup, with the keyboard in the middle. the number pad and other keys mean I’m reaching way over for my mouse.
Here’s the new setup. I have to reach much less. I already had an extra number pad laying around, but these can be had pretty cheap. The lifehacker article referenced above mentioned the sidewinder keyboard, which is reconfigurable, but this actually takes up even less room.
Another change I would like to make to my ergonomic setup is to bring in a footrest – the problem I have had is that they don’t make really low footrests. I only need an extra 2-3″. I have been using some old books, but I would like to make a footrest to bring in instead.
October 24, 2009
I dunno Karin.
As the Romans used to say, “we may agree on everything but taste”.
I use the Dell keyboard as pictured. I find it one of the most ergonomically well designed keyboards out there.
Yet, if i may be so bold, what baffles me, is your need for the numeric pad, when you already have one built into the Dell Keyboard.
I must be missing the point…
Oh well..
Cheers
Aqua
October 25, 2009
The problem with the dell is that I have to reach too far for the mouse- which makes my wrist hurt. Since I’ve been using the smaller keyboard, no more wrist pain.
October 26, 2009
Ahhh.
I get your point. Still one could always write to Dell & suggest they make a keyboard that has the numeric pad on the left. (from a Left-hander’s POV : this would be great) but I am afraid lefties like me are in the minority.
Still, I suspect Leonardo would solved the issue another way. (given his mirror writing). He would have turned the keyboard upside down.
Not quite the same…but you get the picture
Aqua
October 26, 2009
Why write to dell when I can get a perfectly good $13 keyboard from amazon?
There is a keyboard that lets you move the number pad to the left already – it’s called the sidewinder. I think I may have seen other keyboards with this feature as well (especially gaming keyboards).
I actually like this keyboard better than the dell one now that I have been using it a bit – the keys just seem a bit snappier. But then it is newer.
Thanks for stopping by!