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Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

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Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#1
I travel a lot for work and can't type for long on my laptop keyboard due to RSI. To solve the problem, I 3D printed a platform for my laptop that I can put a mechanical keyboard on top of without pressing the built-in keys: https://imgur.com/a/mfAYQj6

If you like it, let me know, I'll post the CAD file so you can print it yourself! EDIT: file and schematic are here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-cB9qJt8CPm76u1VAFvuilYKR_HwshkT?usp=sharing

Re: Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#5
I have similar problem that if I use the MacBook Pro keyboard for a while, as short as half an hour, my carpal tunnel will have some tingling feeling.

Your setup looks great, but I wonder how would it help? In my case I have to use split keyboard. Any keyboard like yours that don’t split at least at an angle would not work to me.

My current solution for travel is to put the Microsoft sculpt keyboard on top of the MacBook Pro. It sits there without touching the keys (on a MacBook Pro 2012 retina form factor.) but that keyboard add about half a kg to the already heavy setup, and as long as the keyboard is on top of the MBP. I can’t access the touchpad.

I wish someone would make a laptop with split keyboard.

Re: Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#6
post #4

I don't see much benefit in this, since it's still missing regular layout even if we ignored NumLock. It would be easier, healthier and more comfortable just use normal external keyboard with/without laptop stand.

This is a "normal" external keyboard, there are numerous different types / sizes of external keyboard.

The stand allows using the external keyboard in the same physical location / orientation as the one built in to the laptop (making it easier / healthier for someone with RSI instead of using a smaller laptop keyboard or creating strain because the external keyboard is in a different location / orientation to the "standard" keyboard)

Re: Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#8
post #5

I have similar problem that if I use the MacBook Pro keyboard for a while, as short as half an hour, my carpal tunnel will have some tingling feeling. Your setup looks great, but I wonder how would it help? In my case I have to use split keyboard. Any keyboard like yours that don’t split at least at an angle would not work to me. My current solution for travel is to put the Microsoft sculpt keyboard on top of the Mac…

That makes sense. I would kill for a laptop with a split mechanical keyboard too!

Re: Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#9

This is pretty cool! I'm curious, though, why you don't prefer to put your laptop on a stand like the Nexstand? Of course, your stand would work better wherever space is constrained, e.g. on an airplane.

I like nexstand! This is for being on flights and busses or in classrooms.

Re: Show HN: Laptop mount for your mechanical keyboard

#10

That looks really useful indeed! It also lets you access your track pad easily. I use a keyboard with the same formfactor as you do but never thought to do this. Will have to play around with this idea a bit

Thank you very much! Glad to hear it.
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