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Sitting in front of the computer and typing up reports can often consume a great deal of a typical day for an engineer. Being saddled with the wrong keyboard can make this a frustrating process.
We’ve all banged our fists down on the desk as we accidentally hit “cut” instead of “copy” in a rush, or felt too lazy to right-click on the mouse because the keyboard is taking up too much horizontal space.
And if you use the mouse and keyboard too much or get into bad habits there’s also the danger of repetitive strain injury (RSI), a discomfort commonly experienced within office environments. Bakker Elkhuizen, a designer of ergonomic computer workstation equipment, has released the S-board 840 Design USB compact keyboard, which it claims will put an end to RSI.
The keyboard doesn’t have the number pad found on the right side of conventional designs, allowing the user to place the mouse closer to it. This cuts the reaching distance to the mouse, which the company says reduces the strain on the shoulder or forearm.
The keys have dark letters on a light background so the user can see them better and increase productivity. The keyboard has extra keys at the top for multiple shortcuts for faster functions, such as copying and pasting. These shortcut keys are quicker to use than fiddling with multiple keys or the mouse.
The keyboard also comes with two USB ports. It is 2cm thick, lightweight, and compatible with all desktops and laptops.
It is difficult to determine whether or not the keyboard truly reduces the risk of RSI over time, but there certainly is a satisfying fluidity to it as one’s fingers click across it. The close proximity of the mouse does provide ease of movement and comfort.
Although it takes a short while to accustom oneself to its small dimensions, the keyboard quickly meets the user’s ergonomic needs. Its size and low weight are plus points if you need to carry it anywhere.
Overall, the keyboard proves compact and convenient.