Looking for a keyboard for stiff hands
August 26, 2024 3:49 PM Subscribe
My hands are feeling stiff and it’s getting tough to put enough pressure on the keys of my keyboard to press them down. I’d like to get a new keyboard to make this easier. My work keyboard — the troublemaker — looks to be some very basic Dell. I actually like the keyboard on my 2022 MacBook pretty well. I feel like I don’t have to push down so hard. What can I get for my work laptop that might be similar?
I wandered into the Reddit communities around keyboards but I feel like I need to learn a whole new vocabulary to understand what’s happening in there. Really hoping someone can just point me in the direction of some good options for my stiff hands. Oh, and my hands are also very small, if that matters.
I wandered into the Reddit communities around keyboards but I feel like I need to learn a whole new vocabulary to understand what’s happening in there. Really hoping someone can just point me in the direction of some good options for my stiff hands. Oh, and my hands are also very small, if that matters.
The zeitgeist right now is definitely around big clacky mechanical keyboards that take individual key effort to press. They're cool, I grew up on the IBM Model M, I get it. But now I'm all grown up and I have weak hands, a job where I type all day, and no one's giving me points for ✨a e s t h e t i c s✨, so I'm over it.
So. Two search terms you may find fruitful: chiclet style keyboard, island style keyboard
These keyboards have very low profile and easy to press keys. It's what I prefer.
posted by phunniemee at 4:01 PM on August 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
So. Two search terms you may find fruitful: chiclet style keyboard, island style keyboard
These keyboards have very low profile and easy to press keys. It's what I prefer.
posted by phunniemee at 4:01 PM on August 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
What can I get for my work laptop that might be similar?
Oh also if you're a W-2 employee, definitely ask your employer to pay for your new keyboard. Worst they can say is no!
posted by phunniemee at 4:06 PM on August 26, 2024
Oh also if you're a W-2 employee, definitely ask your employer to pay for your new keyboard. Worst they can say is no!
posted by phunniemee at 4:06 PM on August 26, 2024
Best answer: I use the Apple Magic Keyboard and it is exactly what you want.
Do also be mindful that keyboards get stickier over time. If you are using an aged keyboard (>=2 years) and if your workplace issues standard hardware for keyboards, you could try replacing the keyboard with a brand new version. Even my beloved Magic Keyboard was giving me pain after four years of daily use because of wear and gunk. A replacement was magical.
posted by shock muppet at 4:40 PM on August 26, 2024
Do also be mindful that keyboards get stickier over time. If you are using an aged keyboard (>=2 years) and if your workplace issues standard hardware for keyboards, you could try replacing the keyboard with a brand new version. Even my beloved Magic Keyboard was giving me pain after four years of daily use because of wear and gunk. A replacement was magical.
posted by shock muppet at 4:40 PM on August 26, 2024
Kinesis makes ergonomic keyboards that take very little effort to press (in my opinion), but like most desktop keyboard keys they have much more "travel" than shallow laptop keys (I think that's the right term - your fingers have to move a farther distance up and down, which is a separate issue from how hard they have to press). Iirc the Freestyle one is the most affordable and has the most similar layout to a regular keyboard.
Apparently different key switches (the physical mechanism that lets a keypress register) have different amounts of resistance. I saw once that there's a reddit keyboard group where sometimes there are meetups that people bring their fancy keyboards to so everyone can see how the different switches feel to them, and I also think there's such a thing as sample packs you can buy. It sounds like the Apple keyboards might be what you want, but if you ever feel like diving into this more seriously those are some possible options to check out.
posted by trig at 4:54 PM on August 26, 2024
Apparently different key switches (the physical mechanism that lets a keypress register) have different amounts of resistance. I saw once that there's a reddit keyboard group where sometimes there are meetups that people bring their fancy keyboards to so everyone can see how the different switches feel to them, and I also think there's such a thing as sample packs you can buy. It sounds like the Apple keyboards might be what you want, but if you ever feel like diving into this more seriously those are some possible options to check out.
posted by trig at 4:54 PM on August 26, 2024
Response by poster: Thanks all, really appreciating the help so far!
I should mention that this keyboard would be paired with a Lenovo laptop. Do Apple keyboards work with windows laptops?
posted by imalaowai at 5:09 PM on August 26, 2024
I should mention that this keyboard would be paired with a Lenovo laptop. Do Apple keyboards work with windows laptops?
posted by imalaowai at 5:09 PM on August 26, 2024
it should just work as a standard bluetooth keyboard. you may have to change some of the keymappings, which is done like this, apparently (i don't have a windows machine to try it, sorry).
posted by koroshiya at 5:13 PM on August 26, 2024
posted by koroshiya at 5:13 PM on August 26, 2024
To answer your followup question, basically, yes. You will probably have to "map" the Control, Option/Alt, and Command keys to your choice of Control, Windows, Alt, which are in a different order. There's no NumLock key on Mac keyboards, but if you're going for a number pad that's almost certainly not an issue and you can map it if needed. You may find the icons on the function keys distracting.
posted by wnissen at 5:15 PM on August 26, 2024
posted by wnissen at 5:15 PM on August 26, 2024
I should mention that this keyboard would be paired with a Lenovo laptop.
For what it's worth, you can get a wireless version of the Lenovo Thinkpad keyboard that is what I use for both my home and office computers ever since my stiffer clacky keyboards started making my hands hurt.
posted by erolls at 5:23 PM on August 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
For what it's worth, you can get a wireless version of the Lenovo Thinkpad keyboard that is what I use for both my home and office computers ever since my stiffer clacky keyboards started making my hands hurt.
posted by erolls at 5:23 PM on August 26, 2024 [2 favorites]
(long history of repetitive strain problems in hands, mostly due to excessive time and effort at keyboards)
A keyboard I've tried that's most similar to the low-travel Mac-like keys is the GoldTouch (SK-2721 ; they also have a Bluetooth version). The keys are shallow and provide slightly more resistance than the keys on my Mac's actual keyboard. It features the ability to split the keyboard so that each half is somewhat angled vertically to put your hand in a more natural position (i.e. to reduce the strain of pronating your hand, or flattening it so it's parallel to the ground). I moved on to other keyboards because part of my issue with strain is that if the keys don't provide enough resistance to the press, I type too fast and hard, and apparently that does a disservice to my hands and forearms. More on that below.
So I tried the Kinesis keyboards. *REALLY* like how they not only split but can be separated up to (roughly) 8 inches between each half (unlike the GoldTouch mentioned above, where the two halves stay connected (albeit angled in three dimensions). This is very helpful, as some of the problems in my hands and arms result from when my shoulders and chest rounding forward from typing while hands are cramped together on a smaller keyboard. Also, Kinesis sells an add-on accessory that will allow the halves to be "tented", or angled slightly vertically, as described above.
The first Kinesis I tried was the Freestyle Pro. Liked it a lot, but as before it allowed me to type too easily, too quickly, too forcefully. I'm currently typing on the Kinesis Freestyle 2, the keys of which have the same amount of travel but are a little more "clacky" and provide slightly more resistance to the presses. It is counterintuitive to me that my hands and forearms would find this less painful, but there it is.
But, back to more chiclet-style keys... you may want to check out the Logitech K380. I tried it but had to pass, it was way too small and cramped and hurt my wrists, but a colleague LOVES his. FWIW his general musculature is in much better shape than mine, so maybe that's the... key.
If you decide to dive deep into the different kinds and aspects of keys, you can get something like this that will allow you to try the feel of various types of keys without having to buy a whole keyboard to do so
Last, to pass on something learned after many years of struggle with hand/arm pain, and much physical therapy... the human body is just not supposed to handle repetitive movements in unnatural positions it was never designed to do, let alone do over and over over the course of hours, days, years. It is good to frequently mix it up, alternate keyboards, mouses, hands. Healthy keyboard use is as much about getting away from the keyboard whenever possible as it is about finding "the right" keyboard. Though, cheers to you for making the effort to find something that works better for you. A little change can go a long way!
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 5:54 PM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
A keyboard I've tried that's most similar to the low-travel Mac-like keys is the GoldTouch (SK-2721 ; they also have a Bluetooth version). The keys are shallow and provide slightly more resistance than the keys on my Mac's actual keyboard. It features the ability to split the keyboard so that each half is somewhat angled vertically to put your hand in a more natural position (i.e. to reduce the strain of pronating your hand, or flattening it so it's parallel to the ground). I moved on to other keyboards because part of my issue with strain is that if the keys don't provide enough resistance to the press, I type too fast and hard, and apparently that does a disservice to my hands and forearms. More on that below.
So I tried the Kinesis keyboards. *REALLY* like how they not only split but can be separated up to (roughly) 8 inches between each half (unlike the GoldTouch mentioned above, where the two halves stay connected (albeit angled in three dimensions). This is very helpful, as some of the problems in my hands and arms result from when my shoulders and chest rounding forward from typing while hands are cramped together on a smaller keyboard. Also, Kinesis sells an add-on accessory that will allow the halves to be "tented", or angled slightly vertically, as described above.
The first Kinesis I tried was the Freestyle Pro. Liked it a lot, but as before it allowed me to type too easily, too quickly, too forcefully. I'm currently typing on the Kinesis Freestyle 2, the keys of which have the same amount of travel but are a little more "clacky" and provide slightly more resistance to the presses. It is counterintuitive to me that my hands and forearms would find this less painful, but there it is.
But, back to more chiclet-style keys... you may want to check out the Logitech K380. I tried it but had to pass, it was way too small and cramped and hurt my wrists, but a colleague LOVES his. FWIW his general musculature is in much better shape than mine, so maybe that's the... key.
If you decide to dive deep into the different kinds and aspects of keys, you can get something like this that will allow you to try the feel of various types of keys without having to buy a whole keyboard to do so
Last, to pass on something learned after many years of struggle with hand/arm pain, and much physical therapy... the human body is just not supposed to handle repetitive movements in unnatural positions it was never designed to do, let alone do over and over over the course of hours, days, years. It is good to frequently mix it up, alternate keyboards, mouses, hands. Healthy keyboard use is as much about getting away from the keyboard whenever possible as it is about finding "the right" keyboard. Though, cheers to you for making the effort to find something that works better for you. A little change can go a long way!
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 5:54 PM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Get this one.
Works with PCs and Macs.
You want a "low travel" keyboard with "scissor keys".
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:17 PM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
Works with PCs and Macs.
You want a "low travel" keyboard with "scissor keys".
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:17 PM on August 26, 2024 [1 favorite]
Editing time ran out, sorry. Wanted to add that I've been using these "laptop style" keyboards for years and they really agree with me. I've tried the little cheapie ones like THIS, which you can try to see if you like it before investing in the Logitech. What makes the logitech great is that the keys have shallow little dished tops, so it makes it really easy to keep your fingers aligned. Also the keys are made of a nicer type of plastic and it feels a little sturdier. No remapping of keys necessary for my PC, unless you mind that your "Alt" key says "Option" on it.
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:27 PM on August 26, 2024
posted by bluesky78987 at 8:27 PM on August 26, 2024
If this continues being an option in the future and you want a few more ergonomic options: the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard had low-travel keys that were a low-effort pleasure to type on (with the exception of the function keys, which were an insult). MS discontinued production but another company bought the IP and is supposed to release its version sometime this year.
This thread mentions some alternatives to the Sculpt which hopefully have a similar key feel. I did try the Logitech K860 and found its keys were noticeably stiffer than the Sculpt's, though.
posted by trig at 3:16 AM on August 27, 2024
This thread mentions some alternatives to the Sculpt which hopefully have a similar key feel. I did try the Logitech K860 and found its keys were noticeably stiffer than the Sculpt's, though.
posted by trig at 3:16 AM on August 27, 2024
If you have money to burn, get a Wooting keyboard... Those can have activation length CHANGED via programming.
posted by kschang at 11:40 AM on August 27, 2024
posted by kschang at 11:40 AM on August 27, 2024
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posted by koroshiya at 3:58 PM on August 26, 2024 [3 favorites]