Ergonomic devices now available for Mac
Having done a lot of typing for years, I am keenly aware of the vital importance of proper ergonomics at my computer desk. With an ergonomic keyboard, a fully adjustable keyboard tray, and the chair, the tray and the keyboard at the right height, tilt, and so on, I’m good for hours of comfortable typing. Just have to remember to stretch now and then.
Ergonomic devices have long been available for PCs (Boo hisss), and now there are some for Macs, too. They’re costlier than regular keyboards, but when you consider the benefits, they’re worth it.
If you’re not sure if your workstation is ergo-friendly, read this. Note especially the importance of a negative-tilt keyboard.
I have no idea why most keyboards come with little legs on the back side that you can extend so the keyboard tilts up at the back. That’s exactly the WRONG way. With the keyboard tilted up, your wrists are continuously bent, which causes pain. Someday, keyboard manufacturers will realize they those little legs belong on the front. In the meantime, if you value your wrists, keep the little suckers retracted.
A good chair is vital, too. I found a fairly inexpensive one that can be adjusted to support my lower back, but most of the cheap ones are concave just where they should be convex.
Kinda funny: I had a friend whose company bought her a $5,000 ergonomic executive chair. She took it when she left the company (It was okay with her company; you’ll see why.) So she offered to let me try it. In retrospect, I imagine she was trying to get rid of it.
She and her husband brought it over, and it was so huge they could barely get it through my front door. And so heavy it took all three of us short people to wrangle it into my home office. I tried it out and soon could tell it was an ergonomic joke. So, to their chagrin, my friends had to manhandle the monstrosity back out to the car. Oh, and did I mention it was ugly?
If you want to keep on writing and typing without pain, insist on good ergonomics, whether at home or in an office. Office managers usually won’t buy new keyboards, chairs or adjustable keyboard trays for you. But go ahead and buy your own. After all, it’s your body that’s at stake. What you spend creating an ergonomic setup will keep you from spending a lot more on chiropractors, orthopedists and pain pills.
Everything should be adjusted to support good ergonomics.
