Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with ergonomic

UK ergonomic keyboard

nam3d — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:54:35 -0800

Whilst looking to purchase an ergonomic keyboards like the Kinesis or Goldtouch keyboards they all seem to be in the US layout which is a bit of a problem as I'm used to the UK layout. Could anyone recommend me an ergonomic keyboard with a UK Qwerty layout?

Where can I try out fancy office chairs in California's Bay Area (SF, Alameda, Solano, Contra Costa, Napa, Marin, or Sonoma Counties)?

unclezeb — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:57:11 -0800

California - Bay Area: where can I try out crazy good office chairs? All the advice posts/asks say to test a chair out before buying and I want to try the Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions before my office buys a new chair for me ... but where (from SF to Oakland to Sonoma to Napa) can I go to get test these chairs out? My office offered to replace my current chair and I noticed several of my co-workers have the Freedom chair which is not cheap! ($1099 on Sitforless.com).

I want to try out a few chairs before asking my office to lay out any money, but I cannot think of the right place to go for a test run?

I work in the North Bay and live in the East Bay - Can you think of anywhere to try out several of these chairs (Think, Leap, Freedom, Aeron, or your other suggestions!) nearby?

As for "other suggestions" here are my preferences if it matters:
Comfortable for someone who's "big boned"
Adjustable head rest preferred
Deep seat preferred
Fabric > leather

Thanks everyone!

Where can I find an ergonomic bag that's appropriate for a grown-up?

craichead — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:43:18 -0800

Where can I find a reasonably-stylish, professional-looking, ergonomic laptop bag/ briefcase type thing for a woman? After years of ignoring it and hoping it would go away, I'm finally trying to get a handle on my chronic upper back, neck, and arm pain. I've got a diagnosis (a couple of herniated cervical discs), have seen an orthopedist and a neurosurgeon, and I'm going for physical therapy. I've been toting my stuff around in a regular shoulder bag, and according to my physical therapist I need to get something more ergonomic. I'm starting my first full-time office job in a few weeks, and the dress is "professional." It's not a terribly formal office, but I don't want to show up with anything that's shocking pink or has reflective tape. What are some good options for ergonomic bags that will carry a reasonable amount of stuff and that will allow me to look like a grown-up?

Other info: I'm a shortish (5'3") woman, and I'm petite. (I don't mean that in the sense of "thin." I have narrow shoulders and a tiny rib cage. My weight is pretty average.) I would like something in which I can put my laptop, a book, my lunch and some papers. I'll be taking the bus to work.

It's a little hard to only use one half of the keyboard.

duckus — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:52:53 -0800

My keyboard has issues. Some letters work .. some do not .. some just Gibber at me. I have a Natural MS Ergonomic 4000 keyboard that has decided not to work.

When I type 'c' and also 'z', I get a right click menu.

These letters don't work at all: i o u x y

When I type '2' and also '4', I get this: -u=56jkl

I've got two keyboards hooked up so I can work, but my elbows and wrists are already hurting .. so this is not really a perm solution .. (hence the ergonomic keyboard) ..

It happened quite suddenly .. reboots/driver reinstall and restarts have all proved fruitless.

I am on Windows XP. Does anyone have any suggestions for troubleshooting or a fix?

Laptop Ergonomics without a Chair

allenp — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:03:22 -0800

I need to find an ergonomic solution to allow me to work for 8+ hours a day writing code on my laptop. My options are extremely limited because of space - I essentially am stuck siting on the floor or on a couch. A desk + office chair would be nice but it isn't in the cards, neither is a table. Imagine a prison cell with carpet and you'll understand. If anyone else is in this situation please tell me what you do - I am in way too much pain from not sitting correctly and not having proper support for wrists, etc.

Remember 8+ hours a day, typing all day long on a laptop. I do use the mouse also and not the touch pad so I need to make sure I have something there as well.

I can get a tray or something similar that can fold up.

Does anyone remember a spherical cubicle?

tzikeh — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:28:30 -0800

I saw a website or read an article about an ergonomic "cubicle" that was actually a very large, balanced sphere. The person would lie down inside the sphere in a perfectly supporting "chair" (somewhat like a first-class recliner), facing upwards; the keyboard was at lap level, and the monitor hung from the top of the sphere. Now I can't find it. Help?

Typing this question hurt more than it really should.

jacquilynne — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:38:35 -0800

Can someone recommend an ergonomics consultant in Toronto who will work with a home office? I've poked around on the web, but the ones I've seen are mainly focused on the office environment, which makes sense, since that's where the money likely is, but I have a home office and a lot of RSI issues.

I'd like someone to take a look at the height of my desk / monitors / etc, as well as recommend specific products (like, I'd like to get an ergonomic keyboard, but which one?) that would help my space work better for me.

If you do recommend somebody, a ballpark indication of how much their services are likely to cost would be great.

What affordable office chair is the best for a disabled body? But

erleichda — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:12:45 -0800

I have an illness that caused severe arthritis and nerve damage. I would like an affordable office chair that would work the best with my challenges. I have an illness that causes severe arthritis and nerve damage. My cervical and lumbar spines are full of arthritis and bulged disks (I’ve had surgery for ruptured disks), and I have scoliosis in my thoracic spine, so back pain is an issue. I have radial nerve palsy and cannot move my left hand or fingers so I work on the computer with a mouse and speech recognition program. I have a similar pinched nerve under my leg which could easily turn into the same kind of thing, causing foot drop so I need to elevate my left leg to take the pressure off the pinch. My hips and knees are full of arthritis, and in two months time, my big toes have moved almost one full inch, going underneath my other toes, so I can’t have pressure on any of these. I use a lumbar pillow and a chair pillow that removes pressure from my tailbone. But my chair is not good… It is not adjustable, it has arm rests which are causing problems in my right shoulder. Please let me know what type of office chair would be the best, while also being affordable. Thank you very much for your help.

Ergonomic keyboard with trackpoint?

thisisnotbruce — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 15:40:57 -0800

Where can I find an ergonomic keyboard with a trackpoint pointing device? By 'ergonomic' I'm looking specifically for a split keyboard.

And by 'Trackpoint' I mean the eraser nub / pointing stick you find on some laptops between the 'G', 'H', and 'B' keys.

I'm looking for minimal movement of my wrist from keyboard to pointing device and, while I may be in the minority among my coworkers, I absolutely loathe touchpads.

Yes, this has been asked before but no such keyboard was found. I'm hoping in the 2 years since, a keyboard of these specifics has been released.

Ergonomic Consultant Needed

Maastrictian — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:43:33 -0800

Help my girlfriend work at home without pain! My girlfriend is a freelancer, and so spends most of her time working on her laptop at home. Unfortunately, she also suffers from ulnar nerve syndrome, and working on her laptop aggravates it. She is currently seeing a doctor for the problem, but stopping typing is not an option. The doctor has suggested improving her workspace as an important part of her treatment. Given that all her office items are hand me downs or thirft store buys, that probably means a total overhaul.

We are looking for someone who can come in and look at her workspace and make suggestions for specific products and ideas that can help make her work day pain free. My google searches have turned up company level consultants, but nothing for freelancers who are looking for help. We are willing to pay a reasonable price for this, but obviously we don't have a corporate budget.

We live in New York City, so there must be some person or company out there who can help. Any suggestions?

ergonomic desk: help me be a stand-up guy

grumblebee — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:58:29 -0800

I want to stand up while I program. Please recommend a desk. Requirements:

-- main surface large enough to hold two 22" monitors.

-- monitor stand must be adjustable so that screens are at eye-level.

-- keyboard/mouse area must be adjustable.

-- my boss will probably balk at something over $500. He'll nix anything over $1000.

Seeking original Microsoft Natural Keyboard (the first ever)

4midori — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 23:53:30 -0800

Where can I find an original Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard? I use the original, PS/2 model, beige color. To me, the original is the best and most natural to use.

Anything else (Pro, Elite, 4000, Multimedia) has some annoying aspects, like tiny arrow keys, or weird spacing of certain letters).

I've tried ebay, google, amazon, craigslist, etc. No luck.

While I'd prefer a working model, for this project I would consider a busted one too.

How to buy an affordable chair that's good for my back.

Simon! — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:39 -0800

How to buy an affordable chair that's good for my back. I realize that this question has been asked many times before. Unfortunately, the consensus answer - purchase a Steelcase Leap off Craigslist - doesn't work in Toronto. Neither Steelcase nor Humanscale nor Herman Miller have sold enough chairs in Canada, at least not in bulk, for there to be a real second-hand market.

So, questions:

A) What should I be looking for, if I can't just count on a well-reviewed brand? I know it needs to be adjustable, but once I've ruled out the ones without sliding backs, I can't tell no-name bargain from no-name rip-off.

B) Where should I be looking? If I'm limited to the $200-$250 range and won't get any love from eBay, is there an option better than going to Staples and buying the first chair with 'ergo' in the name?

Is there a stylish, ergonomic, USB keyboard?

bryak — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 07:39:09 -0800

Is there an functionally ergonomic USB keyboard that is not an eyesore? I had a Microsoft Natural keyboard once, but didn't find it particularly helpful. All it really did was prevent me from giving into the temptation to type left-hand keys with the right hand.

It seems like all other options for a remotely ergonomic design shoot up to $300 and look too embarrassing to use in an office (Like the Typesafe and Kinesis Advantage)

Is there an ergonomic keyboard out there that uses USB, is functionally ergonomic, and somewhat sleek in design? I know, the instant assumption is the Microsoft Natural, but I was wondering if there are any other options.

Bonus points if it is available in Dvorak, is Linux (Ubuntu) compatible, and has a high quality, solid feel.

Captain's chair, not dentist's chair.

ceribus peribus — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:33:46 -0800

How do I adjust this office chair? No, not an ergonomics question - I need a control manual. My office was reorganized recently and someone stuck me with their unwanted chair. It's just like all of the others, but it's been adjusted poorly and noone here knows how to put it back.

The seat is tilted backwards, so that your knees are elevated, and the backrest has also leaned back to maintain the 90 degree angle between back and seat. It would be a nice seat for the front row at the cinema, but it's a real pain to ~~sit in~~ perch on at a desk.

I've eliminated most of the controls except a round one under the front right side. It shows the numbers 1,2,3,4 in a circle, with a thickening line running from 1 (thin end) to 4. I've tried turning it both ways, pulling it out, pushing it in, and trying combinations of push/pull while turning. It's got about a quarter turn of play but doesn't do anything. Does anyone know how to drive this thing?

How do I deal with my tendonitis without failing my classes?

Braeog — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:13:28 -0800

I have tendonitis in both my forearms from computer over-use. It is bad enough that I'm having trouble taking lecture notes in my university classes--a serious problem. Aside from not using the computer, what can I do? I am pretty sure it's not carpal tunnel as I have none of the nerve pinching, just pain down the underside of my forearms. I know getting an ergonomic keyboard and mouse are a good idea, but which ones? How do I learn to use keyboard shortcuts (I'm on Ubuntu)? Is there a specific way to write that will reduce the pain? Should I be doing grip exercises or using a forearm roller, or would that worsen the problem?

Also, while I can cut down my computer usage since I'm not in any computer-heavy classes, I have to take notes. Recording doesn't work at all for me. Will this be OK? It's usually 3-5 hours of note-taking a day.

Ergonomic Counter Chair?

JJ Jenkins — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:50:20 -0800

Can anyone recommend an ergonomic work/office chair that can accomodate a counter-height (36") desk? The usual chair height is 24". It would be nice if it could roll and swivel but mostly I'm just looking for comfort and a sleek design. Thanks!

Ergomaniac

LoopyG — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:48:18 -0800

Help me pick an ergonomic mouse/trackball and ergonomic keyboard which suit my needs. I am looking to go ergonomic for the sake of my arms and wrists. I have been researching trackballs and mice, and it seems that the following 4 are all pretty good:
Logitech Trackman Wheel, Logitech Marble, Kensington Ultimate Mouse, and Evoluent VerticalMouse 2.
However, I do need the following features: scroll wheel, at least 4 buttons (gotta have middle click and back/forward for browsing!).

I am wondering what you MeFites use and like. Is there a mouse/trackball not on that list that should be?

Also, I am looking for an ergonomic keyboard under $100. It seems the best I have found is the Microsoft Natural Pro, but am I missing something? Once again, MeFites, help my aching wrists, what do you suggest?

Seat backs with no spine! Why?

Rash — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 16:33:23 -0800

Why are chairs so uncomfortable? I mean the less-expensive corporate type, like you might find in an American meeting room or new-style classroom. There's only negligible support when you lean back! I understand why the rounded edges of the new chairs dig into my thighs, 'cause I'm a big guy and maybe the average person only needs a smaller seat... but why is the back flexible? Fiddling with the controls, adjustments can be made in various levels and angles, but locking the back into postion doesn't seem to be an option. And a classroom I know has seat-desks with midway hinges on either side of the seatback, left and right of the hole -- in other words, leaning back is impossible, no spine support (unless you recline all the way, like you're almost horizontal). And now at the stadium-seating theater at the multiplex, same deal, bouncy seat backs, all, where it used to be every other row. What's going on? Does an ergonomic theory claim a fixed seat-back is detrimental?

What's the best office chair?

lionelhutz5 — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:48:15 -0800

Office Chairs: What's the best reasonably expensive (up to $1000) office chair? I have read every review I could find online and think that I have narrowed my choices to the Humanscale Liberty, Humanscale Freedom, and Steelcase Leap (I had an Aeron that I liked but didn't wow me). I am in an area lacking in office furniture stores that carry these chairs, so I will need to take something of a leap of faith in ordering one. Has anyone tried all of these chairs (or others)? Or, better yet, has anyone had experience using a variety of these (or others)?

Other than sitting at a desk and using a computer for most of the day, it would be difficult for me to describe how I sit, so general testimonials would probably be more helpful than tailored recommendations.

Help! I desire a $700 chair. Is there any hope?

iamkimiam — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 07:44:27 -0800

Is $700 too much to spend on an office chair? Are there any alternatives to the HAG Capisco Saddle Seat chair? I know good office chairs are expensive (my $5 IKEA red school chair is no longer cutting it), but $700 for the chair I want seems outrageous. However, this is the chair I really want. I sat in it over at a chair store in SF (they want more for it than online) and I really like the saddle seat, and the fact that the back is a "plus" design. It feels really good on my back/posture, plus you can sit in the thing backwards (Major plus!)

I am a really tiny woman, so it is hard to find comfortable ergonomic chairs. This one also has a foot ring/foot plate that is really convenient (for $70 more). I also have a very small apartment, so the compact size of this chair is very appealing.

I have been thinking about this chair for months and months (every time I sit in my crappy $5 IKEA in fact).

I have not been able to find this chair used ANYWHERE. Does anybody know of a similar chair (one you can comfortably sit in backwards), or a way to rationalize/diminish the cost?

Should I keep this ergonomic chair or return it?

underwater — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 10:03:29 -0800

Should I keep this ergonomic chair or return it? I finally bought an ergonomic chair to ease back and neck pain. I am still having some (increased) pain after sitting in it for several hours and I'm wondering if I need to get used to it before it will work well or if I should disassemble it and return it immediately. I need to make a call in the next 2 days based on the return policy.

I had been using a $15 used office chair, and I bought a $300 chair from Office Depot. It has almost all of the features recommended on websites I've seen: mesh seat and back, padded armrests that adjust in height and angle, seat depth adjustment, height adjustment on the back and seat, recline, etc. I've adjusted it as well as I can, I think.

I test-drove it for about 30 minutes in the store and found it very comfortable. It is comfortable at first sit at home. But, after sitting in it for about 2 hours at home, I found that my upper back was hurting/burning. Usually my pain is in my lower back.

Do these kind of chairs require a 'training' period where you learn to sit with a better posture? I tend to lean forward when I type and I'm trying now to avoid that. I can't tell if the pain is due to my trying to sit up straight or because the chair is just not right for me.

Any advice appreciated.

A chair for the little lady

craichead — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:32:14 -0800

What are some inexpensive, ergonomic home-office options for a smallish woman? I'm finally actually writing my dissertation, which means that for the first time in my graduate student career, I'm actually spending several hours every day sitting at my desk, typing away on my laptop. And it is destroying my body. My back aches. My left elbow throbs. It hurts to move my left pinky. I'm pretty sure that I really need a better desk chair and an ergonomic keyboard.

I have two problems here. The first is that, being a grad student, I don't have a lot of money to throw around, so I need cheap options. Ideally, I wouldn't like to spend more than $200 on both a new desk chair and a new keyboard.

My second problem is trickier. I'm a smallish woman. I'm pretty short, and I have exceptionally tiny hands. My sense is that most ergonomic stuff is made for the average person, and I'm considerably smaller than the average person. How can I find keyboards and desk chairs that will work for my particular body?

If anyone can suggest any particular chairs or keyboards, that would be fab. Otherwise, where should I look? What should I be looking for?

Where can I find a clip-on desk tray?

Lotto — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:22:46 -0800

Where can I get a clip-on keyboard tray (suitable for a glass topped desk) that is 70-80cm wide (so has room for a mouse as well), and under £30 (although i would be willing to go higher if needed)?

Bluetooth, ergonomic keyboards?

dmd — Sat, 02 Sep 2006 14:35:16 -0800

Is there such thing as a bluetooth ergonomic keyboard? I want something essentially like the Microsoft Natural line of keyboards - i.e., split layout - but Bluetooth.

Specifically Bluetooth - not just "wireless". I currently have the MS Wireless Natural Multimedia Keyboard, and like every other RF wireless keyboard I've ever tried, it just doesn't work very well. Not only does it take up a USB port, it has to take up a monitor USB port, because the RF receiver can't be more than about a foot from the keyboard before it starts dropping characters, no matter how many times it gets reset or how many fresh sets of batteries are sacrificed to it. Bluetooth keyboards, on the other hand, work across the room for me - but I've not yet found one with a split layout.

Alternatively - is there a way to turn a USB keyboard into a Bluetooth keyboard? I'm envisioning some sort of dongle with a battery inside and a female USB port.