Keyboard: Natural vs. Standard

[luciddreams]

So, the time has come to purchase a new keyboard. The only decision to make: Natural or Standard. I am fairly young (24) and my wrists never hurt, but I like to be proactive when it comes to my health. Natural keyboards are gentler on the wrists in theory, but what about in practice? Has anyone w/arthritis actually had pain while typing significantly reduced after switching? Any evidence that natural keyboards actually helps prevent arthritis? If it is really better for my health Ill make the switch (I type a lot, I type fast, and I do not want arthritis!), but otherwise I prefer to keep the good ol standard layout.

(Note: by natural I mean any keyboard that is split, not Microsofts brand specifically)

 

[bates747]

Being someone who has never taken a typing class and does not use proper form when typing, the "Natural" keyboards drive me crazy. If you actually type with correct form, you might like one. Best to try one out before you buy.

 

[Cerb]

I think the normal touch-typing is worse than any keyboard layout. Just go with standard.
I hunt & peck and have for maybe 14 years now, no problems--except the scarcity of IBM Model M keybaords .

 

[jacktesterson]

I type well and still growing up with standard keyboards has made me dread using natural keyboards

 

[0roo0roo]

after learning not to reach for t with my right hand i found the natural to be quite good. i use the ms natural multimedia kb. the oem one is cheaper online if u buy some token piece of comp hardware

 

[luciddreams]

I took typing classes while in high school, and believe I have pretty good form. I touch type. I tried out the different keyboards @ best buy--the natural keyboards were not difficult at all. I need to consider the future of my wrists, but I also want to maintain my current game play configuration which is impossible w/the natural keyboards! So, I am wondering if the benifit is just theory or if its actual in practice.

 

[sswingle]

I've used a Natural for years now. Learned to type on a normal keyboard. I like the Natural so much better now. Stick me in front of a normal keyboard, and I type slower.

I also game on this keyboard. Works fine. Most games use the WASD configuration, which is all left hand, and you've got your right hand on the mouse, so what is the problem?

 

[Kaido]

I've been using a natural keyboard since the beginning of the year. I really like it. It definately takes some time to get used to, but it does reduce strain. I've been working on a big publishing project where I've transcribed and edited hundreds of pages. It definately helps (and I'm only 21!).

I bought the Microsoft Optical Desktop Pro. I only use the keyboard, however (I use the mx700 from Logitech as my mouse). Basically it's a wireless ergonomic keyboard. Works great!

 

[piasabird]

I think the old heavier IBM keyboards are the best. The main thing is to see if the keyboard fits your hands. Most keyboards are nice but I am not sure if I like some keyboards. I do not like keyboards with smaller specialty keys next to and crowding the shift keys or the backspace key or the tab/caps lock key. Some keyboards I have used have a key close to the backspace key which get in the way and make it difficult to type. Yes I learned to type on a typewriter and I like a simple layout that is functional. I have found that I do not like keyboards that have those stupid buttons on the top. I would rather not have to pay for any special keys or have to fiddle with a special driver. I have been going to school and work in education and I sometimes type a lot from time to time and I like a natural feel to the keys and a quiet keyboard with keys with good action. You may also want a keyboard that has both USB and a PS2 connector. I have tried both but sometimes a USB connector can cause delays at startup while it configures in windows.

Superior performance through simplicity of design.

At work I use an IBM keyboard like they have for a Net Vista. Some people might like smaller keyboards that save space on the desktop. Other people may want more sensitive keyboards for quick response time when playing games, however there is always a game controller.

Some people like the little keys with the funny windows logo on them for the windows shortcuts but that is almost standard on all keyboards now.

I visited a legal office the other day and they had some nice keyboard holders that you could adjust to any height and could be pushed under the desk if needed.

 

[Sid59]

i like the natural keyboards because it takes care of my irregular approach to typing. I dislike the conventional keyboards because my wrists and hands feel uncomfortably close to each other. With a natural keyboard, my hands and wrists feel spaced out and ... NATURAL.

 

[MrChad]

I :heart: natural keyboards.

 

[whattaguy]

I prefer natural keyboards as well, but I can't find one to match the feeling of the Logitech Elite.

http://www.buy.com/retail/prod...4&loc=101&sp=1

Do they make a similar one in "natural"?

 

[freeject]

"Natural" Keyboards? Are you talking about Ergonomic keyboards? I use them at school and a regular at home. They are awesome for typing long documents or emails - I could type for hours on one of those and never get sore. At home I use a standard keyboard which is IMO better for gaming.

 

[furie27]

The closest to that Logitech Elite, is probably Microsoft's Multimedia Natural keyboard: http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=23-109-116&depa=0

I've been using this one for the last year, since my old MS natural died on me.

 

[luciddreams]

"games use the WASD configuration, which is all left hand, and you've got your right hand on the mouse, so what is the problem? "

I suppose the problem is a 6 year old gaming habit. My right hand is on the mouse, and my left hand is on the arrow keys. After a quick sliding of the keyboard to the left, this setup is comfortable, and I have easy access to many unique keys which I map (Ctrl, Shift, Enter, Insert, Del, Home, Page Up, etc.). Its nice having such intuitive keys: I can map Enter to enter, Del to eliminate, Shift to change, Ctrl to control, etc. My aversion is this setup is simply impossible w/a natural keyboard. But, though WASD and its nearby keys seem less intuitive to map, I will willing to adapt for the other potential benefits.

?I have tried both but sometimes a USB connector can cause delays at startup while it configures in windows.?

Oh, that?s good to know!

Also, my friend is working on his master?s, is a touch typist and uses his (natural) keyboard a lot. He did admit, however, the when switching to a standard keyboard he does sometimes hit the wrong keys! Also, it was said above ?Stick me in front of a normal keyboard, and I type slower.? Hmm? I would hope that adapting to a natural keyboard wouldn?t cause me to type slower on a standard keyboard.

?I prefer natural keyboards as well, but I can't find one to match the feeling of the Logitech Elite.?

If a get a natural keyboards, that is the exact model I will get! FYI: the same model you linked to can be found for $10 less on New egg (retail).

?Are you talking about Ergonomic keyboards??

Ah, yes, that?s what I mean. I thought I clarified what I meant my natural on the top, but perhaps I did not well enough.

?At home I use a standard keyboard which is IMO better for gaming.?

?and there lies my hesitation!

 

[furie27]

I've used natural keyboards for gaming since Q3 demo days and never really had a problem. They do take some used to in RTS games, moreso than FPS.

 

[freeject]

?and there lies my hesitation!

An ergonomic/natural keyboard would probably be just as good as a standard keyboard at gaming depending on what games you play - I just like having all the buttons closer together when I need to use one hand on the mouse and one hand for the whole keyboard simutaneously for FPS games.

 

[0roo0roo]

i don't see how its bad for gaming. the wasd keys are even more comfortable to use in that position. u don't have to unnaturally flatten out your hand to do a wasd. only way i'd see a problem is if your game required you to rapidly tap keys all over the kb. not many exist u know... reaching the right side keys is a pain regardless of kb type. and a game shouldn't require that many kb functions u know.

as for typing slower on a normal kb. it feels weird for a sec, but its like riding a bike.. u don't forget how.

 

[Gurck]

I learned to type in 4th grade and do it with proper form and such - and I *require* split KBs. I can't stand typing on regular ones. I have big hands, that my have something to do with it. I can break 100wpm using qwerty.

 

[CraigRT]

I absolutely cannot stand typing on those retarded natural keyboards.... absolutely horrible!!!

I have no problems with my wrists or any parts of my arms, and I can type pretty fast so I must be doing something right.

 

[Zepper]

I think that a stiffer key action can do a lot more for you than a so-called "natural" pattern. I ran across some evidence the other day that the "naturals" don't significantly beat the normal pattern for stress.
. I've been using a Kensington/A4tech quasi ergo (the key layout is actually an optical illusion) kbd for a while and I like it but the action could be a bit stiffer.

.bh.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: Cerb
I think the normal touch-typing is worse than any keyboard layout. Just go with standard.
I hunt & peck and have for maybe 14 years now, no problems--except the scarcity of IBM Model M keybaords .

Egad! CLICKCLICKCLICKCLICK!!!! My wife would smash it over my head out of frustration!
And it wasn't so long ago I was using one!

 

[GrumpyMan]

I have a very broad chest so typing with standard keyboards really sucks for me. The natural keyboards allow my arms to rest in a natural position. Once I got used to them I cannot go back to the standard no matter what.