It can be very uncomfortable typing the whole day on a keyboard, especially a conventional and straight one. Most manufacturers have aimed at designing ergonomic keyboards in order to bring a more comfortable typing experience.
So are Apple keyboards ergonomic?
We will answer this in this article. Keep reading to find out.
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How Do You Know If a Keyboard is Ergonomic?
There are a few things to look for you to know if a keyboard is ergonomic. Some of these things include;
Split left and right sides
Generally, your arms should be shoulder apart while typing. This is ideal as it keeps your wrists straight and is best for your arms and shoulders.
Therefore, you know a keyboard is ergonomic if it keeps your wrist straight while typing.
Tilting or Tenting
Your wrist works best while typing closer to a handshake position. This is one of the key features of an ergonomic keyboard.
As for the regular-style keyboard, the hand position is flat on the table.
Programmable
Ergonomic keyboards are programmable as they allow you to move mostly used keys to easier-to-reach areas of your keyboard.
On the other hand, regular-style keyboards have hard-to-reach keys, resulting in hand pain and a lot of RSI.
Thumb Keys
Most ergonomic keyboards have 4 to 12 thumb keys. This allows you to use your thumb for more than just hitting the keyboard’s space bar. It also helps in taking the strain off your pinkies.
Staggered/Angled key layout
Ergonomic keyboards have their keys staggered and angled to have your hands pointing inward at each other rather than being straight out.
Bowled Keypad
Another feature that will help you know if your keyboard is ergonomic is that your keyboard has keys in a bowl shape. This allows for an ultimate follow the path of your fingers while using your keyboard.
Are Apple Keyboards Ergonomic?
Apple keyboards are low-profile and are intended for productivity and office use. This low-profile nature makes these keyboards easy and comfortable to type on, even for long periods. As such, they offer the best typing and overall keyboard experience.
They also have a minimalist and sleek design which is great for a clean keyboard setup.
However, they lack extra features that make these keyboards look ergonomic. For instance, although the low profile nature makes them comfortable to type on, they do not have included wrist rest or incline settings.
They also do not have features such as programmable keys and backlighting.
Besides, their compatibility with other operating systems is limited. For instance, it is only fully compatible with Apple products. Some keys are not functional when using these keyboards on Linux or Windows operating systems.
Is It Worth Buying an Apple Keyboard?
The price of an ergonomic keyboard is usually higher as compared to that of a regular-style keyboard. In most cases, their prices are usually between 20% to 50%% more. However, the price should not worry you a lot as this comes with some amazing features.
Buying an ergonomic style is worth it especially to those who feel uncomfortable when typing. The keyboard will also be crucial for you if you feel pain on your wrist or arm when typing.
However, if you are the type who wants fast typing or your budget is minimal getting an ergonomic keyboard would not be a wise or worthy investment.
This is to say that supposing you prioritize keyboard experience comfort over ultra-fast typing speed and price; then an ergonomic keyboard is a worthwhile and wise investment.
On the other hand, if you prioritize typing speed and cost over comfort, you can consider buying a regular keyboard and find other methods or ways to achieve or improve comfort.
Do Ergonomic Keyboards Really Make a Difference?
There is no single answer when it comes to whether an ergonomic keyboard makes a difference. However, if you often work with a keyboard, investing in an ergonomic keyboard will make a big difference in your keyboard experience.
Suppose you spend most of your time typing, then an ergonomic keyboard would make a huge difference. For instance, it would be the best option for you.
You may want to consider various other factors to know if an ergonomic keyboard would make a difference to your keyboard experience. Besides, there are pros and cons of this ergonomic keyboard.
Generally, ergonomic keyboards are designed to help solve arm and wrist pain and greater comfort. However, they are more expensive and are usually slower to type with.
If typing an email takes 20 seconds longer, that slight difference spreads out over multiple emails across the entire day. This will have a significant impact on your overall productivity.
An ergonomic keyboard’s price is higher than that of a regular-style keyboard with similar features. For instance, an ergonomic keyboard costs between 25% to 50% more than the regular style keyboard costs.
Given that ergonomic keyboards come with several drawbacks, why should you spend more on a keyboard that will not live up to its promises?
My name is Vance, and I am the owner of To Ergonomics. Our mission is to improve your workflow by helping you create a supportive and welcoming environment. We hope that you’ll find what you’re looking for while you’re here.