New keyboard - Which to go for?

[NutterzUK]

Hi,

I find my keyboard to be important. I did use a Saitek Eclipse II, which I thought was ok, and was probably my best keyboard in terms of WPM. I then found that as I typed a lot my wrists started hurting, when the back legs on the keyboard broke that was the last straw;I needed a new keyboard.

I bought the Microsoft curvey keyboard which promised to help, here: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-055-MS
It was brilliant, I loved it, until like many of the reviews say I spilt the tiniest little drop of wine on it. Now all the letters type the wrong letters and put strange symbols in my words.

Back to the saitek, my wrists hurt again. It's because I spend too much time on my PC no doubt. I'm looking for a new keyboard though. I tend to drink (water etc) a lot whilst working, and I don't want my keyboard to die again if I spill a tiny drop on it ( which, I think this was the first thing I every spilt on any keyboard though ).

I've been researching a lot and think that I would like to use a mechanical keyboard. They're fairly expensive but that's ok. I think I would like the cherry red switches as they are slightly quieter, and I don't want to wind my girlfriend up ( nor do I mind pushing the keys all the way down as that is usually how I type anyway ).

What are the odds that happens to put me on OCuKs most expensive keyboard... this: Qpad MK-85

I really like the look of this keyboard, although I hope that the keys are not too small.

Before I buy it though, as I think I can just about swallow the price although I don't like it, are there any other keyboards which are similar and highly recommended? The Corsair Vengeance keyboard looks nice but I read it's not fully mechanical and that some keys feel "soft".

Any help would be much appreciated, it will be a large change for me. How have others found switching to a mechanical keyboard?
Is it worth the money?

 

[OhEsEcks]

I've been using mechanical keyboards in some form or another since the IBM Model M and the Apple Extended Keyboard II in the early 90s. I haven't used many Cherry switch boards at all (only Alps and Buckling Spring mainly with a few trials of cherry switch boards). But as far as I understand it, if you're getting pain while typing you're probably better going to a doctor than changing your keyboard. You'll more than likely be told to reduce the amount you type. Or to adjust your posture to change the way pressure is applied to joints when you're typing. There are "ergonomic" keyboards out there and I've had a few myself over the years, but I can't recommend any as particularly stand out keyboards. You probably don't want a linear switch though like the cherry reds or blacks (or green Alps). If you're hurting when you're typing one of the reasons you're doing so is because you're exerting too much pressure and slamming your fingers into the keys and bottoming out. The whole point of a clicky or tactile switch is to change your typing style so it becomes lighter. So you only exert enough force to reach the actuation point, which is acknowledged with the click or bump, rather than requiring full length of travel to depress the key to make sure a keystroke is registered.

Another tip for alleviating wrist pain is to use a wrist rest when you type. It helps keep the wrist straighter and so stop excessive joint movement or keeping your wrist cocked at an angle for periods of time. When typing you should only really be moving your fingers.

They should really bring back proper typing classes in schools since so many kids today now use computers. That would encourage good typing habits and posture.

 

[NutterzUK]

I totally agree that they should bring back typing classes at school to try enforce some good habbits. They did do some at my GCSE level, ( some time back ) but not really in much depth and it was more the obvious safety warnings such as don't leave cables around the floor.

I probably do type too much, I am studying a Computer Science PhD and work outside of that infront of a PC too. I do get out and about though but have to admit whilst i'm infront of the computer I probably don't have the best habbits.

I think my issue in my wrists actually comes from a problem that my desk is higher than my old desk since I moved to this house a year ago ( which is when I got the pains ). With the desk being slightly higher, just above my wrists wrests on the edge of the desk, which has a glass top. When I used the ergonomic microsoft keyboard, it has a rather large rest at the bottom of it so your hands are almost in a downwards position. This meant that my arms/wrists rested on this rather than on the edge of the desk. For the time I used that I didnt really have any pain, but now i'm back to the Saitek, in less than a day I can already feel it (the legs on the back broke too so i'm typing on a flat keyboard).

I think that a new keyboard will help a little in that it won't be flat on the desk, but perhaps I need to look into buying a higher chair too. The office chair I'm currently using I have had for many many years.

Either way, I'm currently without a proper keyboard, I'm using a half broken and very well worn eclipse saitek keyboard which is really in need of throwing away ( it's beyond cleaning ) so I think I will splash out a little on a nice keyboard but I also need to look at some other aspects, such as reducing my typing and sitting better.

Thanks for your advice, it's made me think a little further than just buying a new keyboard

 

[OhEsEcks]

I probably do type too much, I am studying a Computer Science PhD and work outside of that infront of a PC too. I do get out and about though but have to admit whilst i'm infront of the computer I probably don't have the best habbits.

I know what you mean. My biggest problem is I'm well over 6ft so slouching is my worst habit which causes back agro and tight shoulders. You can buy height adjustable desks and things which would allow me to fit under a desk properly with my chair at a proper height for good posture, but they cost an absolute fortune.

I think the most extreme "ergo" keyboard I ever saw was a datahand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datahand). I've seen these fetch well over a thousand £/€/$ on auction sites.

 

[NutterzUK]

I too have the same issue, I'm 6ft 3 which,.. actually isn't even hugely tall. I slouch though a lot which doesn't help and it certainly doesn't help that my office chair is very old. I did have one at my parents house bought for me just before I left for University ( 4 years ago ) which hasn't been used much which has lots of support etc so I think I am going to try to get hold of that to see if it is any higher. My chair rocks back a little and the lock which usually keeps it in the upright position isn't very good so even when that is on it rocks back just enough for me to not be sitting very well.