Split keyboards

I am a big fan of split keyboards. If you hold your hands forward in the air in typing position, you’ll notice that they don’t naturally go flat (ie: parallel to a table). If you twist them flat, you may immediately notice a little strain in the tendons on the pinky finger side of your wrist. It’s easy to imagine how working in that strained position for hours a day, hundreds of days a year could cause problems.

Microsoft Natural 4000 – top pick and the best full size split keyboard

My favorite external keyboard is the Microsoft Natural 4000 – it’s got a split keyboard, which is great for good ergonomics, a comfortable padded wrist rest, and a full size number pad which I love. PS – does any one know how to type an em dash without a number pad? If you have one, hold alt + 0151 and voila =) Want a bullet point, Alt + 7. But I digress.

• there are no indicator lights for cAPS lOCK, and you can easily make some mistakes.
• feel of the Fkeys is very bad and sticky
• The Insert/Delete/Home/End/PageUp/PageDown/Arrow keys are arranged very poorly and hard to use without carefully looking (bad for power users who like to touch type)
• The number pad is too flat (not very ergonomic of them)

Reverse / Contoured Keyboards

These crazy looking contraptions get rave reviews from coders and other mobile professionals who type like maniacs and require the most ergonomic setup possible. While quite counter intuitive looking from the get go, they claim to have the fastest words per minute and most comfortable alignment of any keyboards

Kinesis Advantage Contoured Keyboard

While a bit scary looking at first, programmers and other speedy typers love the Kinesis Countoured Keyboard and consider it the most comfortable and ergonomic keyboard for fast and long term typing. A bit pricey at $269, it will pay if you type for long hours each day and want to do all you can to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome.

Ergonomic travel keyboards

I honestly haven’t found a small ergonomic keyboard I like yet. Most travel keyboards are flat with no support or natural wrist shape. 

Any advice here?

So, What’s the Best Ergonimic Computer Keyboard?

It of course, comes down to your budget and preferences. To help you make your decision here’s a great keyboard review video which compares typing experiences on laptops, traditional keyboards, the TECK and the Kinesis Advantage.