I don't know if they ('ergonomic' keyboards) are 'healthier', but I quite enjoy typing on them.
Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
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Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#12Have have two of these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109...
One for home and one for work. I've been using them for years. I tried the 4000, but I didn't like the feel of the space bar which is the key you use the most by far.
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#13Yes, they are. 4000 is by far the best out there. Caveat: if you use more than one PC, make sure you have same keyboards for each of them.
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#14[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#15[deleted]
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#16I have a Natural 4000 too. I had wrist pain for years and then it got drastically worse in a few months. My partner recommended the keyboard and within two weeks my wrist pain was completely removed with no other lifestyle changes. I've had it for two years and the pain has stayed away.
Apart from RSI relief I find it has also increased my typing speed.
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#17A good review of the 4000: http://xahlee.org/emacs/ms_keyboard/ms_natural_keyboard_4000...
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#18Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#19I used to program with a regular keyboard, but as I got older I found that wrist fatigue became more of an issue. I now code on a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 and never have any issues. There is a short learning period for the split keyboard, but I didn't find it slowing me down for more than 4 hours.
Re: Ask HN: Are ergonomic keyboards really useful?
#20I have the Das Keyboard Silent which is a mechanical keyboard with brown switches and it helped me a great deal with neck pains partly beacause you don't have to press so hard and partly beacause I don't move my neck to look at the keyboard as much (whats the point, the keys are all blank)
I'v tried a bunch of ergonomic keyboards in terms of how the keys are placed and how the keyboard is split but the only thing that really worked for me was the switch to a mechanical keyboard. I suggest to try a mechanical keyboard for a while, I can't say it works for everyone but for me it was a ginormous difference.