In need of a new keyboard - arm pains etc

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

NutterzUK

Associate
Joined
18 Feb 2010
Posts
940
Hi,

I'm probably now getting not too far off 8-10 hours of use out of my current system, and i'm starting to feel pains on my right arm just up the side of my forearm.

As a computer science student, and working in a computer based job, there is no getting around the amount of hours i'm going to have to spend at my PC, so I want to make it as comfortable as possible.

My chair sits me slightly lower than the desk, which means my arms have to go slightly upwards, but I don't think that is actually causing the problem, so i'm looking for a new mouse/keyboard.

I'm currently using a saitek eclipse II, and an old sidewinder mouse.

I am happy to spend up to £150 if I need to.
Here is what I like so far:
Ergonomics of this Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (B2M-00008) Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

The macros on this: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-119-MS

I like gaming keyboards, for the functions like media back / forward, sound volume, larger keys, backlights. But I need something which isn't going to make my arm fall off by the time i'm 35.

Equally the same with the mouse, I'd like as many buttons as possible really, macros etc.. but something that is also easy to use and isn't going to harm me.

This looks a bit special, if those buttons can be used outside of games


Also, i've never used a mechanical keyboard,.. so it's hard to say if i'll like one or not, but any advice at all, or even advice on how to sit in a way to stop my arm hurting is much much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Thinking about this some more, I think the microsoft keyboard and the mouse razer naga seem to be a good option for me. It's a shame that there is no light on the keyboard, or audio back/forward buttons, and apparently the space bar isn't great :(, but I think the "wave" may be important for me.
 
The problem with most ergonomic keyboards is none of them really are and all manufacturers think their way is the right way of doing things. In fact there's as much snake oil in the "ergonomic" keyboard industry as there is in the "gaming" keyboard industry.

The first thing to address is your posture. Bad posture will start in your back, work it's way to your shoulders, down into your arms and onto your wrists. You say your arms tilt slightly upwards when at your desk. You need to change that. Your arms need to be as level as possible with your desk top and input devices. I would recommend moving to a standing or adjustable height desk. I'm 6ft 6 or 7 so it doesn't matter what size of standard desk I sit at, I am always hunched forward. So I have an Ikea Fredrik I setup to stand at. The perfect height for the desk top was exactly 4ft off the ground. This isn't a medical thread so I'm not going to get into medical claims. All I will say is I have noticed a dramatic difference since moving to a standing desk and it's awesome. Adjustable height desks (if you can afford them) will allow you to stand while you work and raise it to varying heights depending on whats good for you.

The second thing you need to address is your input devices. Your keyboard and your mouse. The problem with most ergonomic keyboards is there's no science behind them or their claims. It's simply manufacturers making what they do because they THINK their way is the best way of going about things. My own RSI comes around when I'm using my MBP keyboard mostly. Usually because (like right now) I'm in bed, there's a lot of pressure on my shoulders from sitting hunched up and the keys absolutely suck. Chiclet keys in general I mean. Any extended periods of time I spend typing on my MBP keyboard, I start to lose the feeling in my finger tips (same with the Apple wireless keyboard, which is why I own several mechanical keyboards). This is because of the extremely short distance of travel with chiclet keys and the need to bottom them out to register a keystroke. If you had hopes and dreams of a nice chiclet keyboard, give it up now. Rubber membrane keyboards are the same. There is no audible or tactile feedback with linear rubber dome keys. So you usually have to bottom the key out to make sure it registers the keystroke. As the membrane in the keyboard deteriorates over time it's only going to get worse. Clicky and tactile mechanical switch keyboards feature functionality that tells you when a keystroke is registered so you don't have to bottom the key out. One clicks (blue) one bumps (brown). You say; "Also, i've never used a mechanical keyboard,.. so it's hard to say if i'll like one or not." I wouldn't worry about that. I don't know anyone who has gone to a mechanical switch keyboard and then gone back to membrane. Most people have an epiphany the first time they use a mechanical switch keyboard.

If you want "ergonomic" and are looking at mice, give that up as well. A trackball is what you want. A trackball remains stationary on your desk. The only thing that moves are your fingers. With a conventional mouse you're moving your shoulder/arm/wrist usually at silly angles from your body (instead of as parallel as possible from your body). Take your mouse in hand now and really think about all the actions that go into performing simple desktop actions and how much you really move your arm/wrist/shoulder performing them. Same with lifting your hand from keyboard to mouse to perform actions.

There's much much more I could go into in regards to input devices so feel free to ask.
 
Last edited:
I use the MS natural keyboard at work and at home, for exactly the sort of arm ache reason you describe. The big problem for me was always wrist angle, which on a straight keyboard is forced out to an uncomfortable degree, which the curvy shape addressed nicely. You can apply a small manual config hack to make some of the media keys into next/prev track buttons too :)

The mouse/keyboard bundle seems to be quite adequate for me, can't see the point in a £100 mouse!

Also, I'm coming up on 32 and my arms are still in place :P
 
Thanks for all your brilliant feedback!

I think you are correct that I need to look more at how i'm sitting rather than just spending money on new equipment. With the legs broken on my current keybaord I have just bought the comfort curve, but I can see it's not going to cure all my problems.

After brain8bit and p/tBuilders posts I'm looked more at my setup here.
I'm 6 ft 2, so i'm not short, but the desk where I am at is particularly high ( It's a rented house and comes with the desk, I don't think I can change it ). My office char is an old leather chair, which doesn't go high enough for the correct sitting position. So.. For now i've put a pillow on the seat to make me higher, and i'm actually already feeling it's more comfortable ( Haha, evidently I need a booster seat! ).

I have found that if I put my feet flat on the ground, there is actually an upward slope to my knees which means perhaps it's the chair being too low. I tried another char, it only goes the same height... hmph. Perhaps this is where I should invest rather than a new mouse.

Yes, the £100 mouse is a crazy idea so I'll not bother with that, and i'll take the advise to get a trackball. It's very rare I play FPS anyway, I barely get the chance to play games and if I do it's normally civilization or tropico, which don't require fast reactions.

Thanks for all your advice, you've perhaps saved me the pain of lower back ache and arm ache... which at the age of 21 and not being particularly unfit ( Slightly, yes.. but not wildy ).. I really shouldn't experience!

I'm glad to see there is still hope as eddie still has his arms in place.

Thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom