I'm looking for a keyboard with an integrated pointing device.
I usually type with my keyboard on my lap, as this keeps my hands and arms relatively relaxed. Currently I'm using a Microsoft Natural 4000, latest in a long line of curved keyboads. For me the gentle inward slant is enough to relieve RSI.
Before the Microsoft I used a Maltron for a while and that had an integrated trackball, though it wasn't a very good trackball (a bit "grainy" in feel and the buttons were rubbish). The Maltron got sent back for various reasons. One was an inability to really gel with the thumb keys or other features of the layout. As the Maltrons aren't programmable that was hard to overlook.
So, I type on my lap and when I need to use my Logitech M570 trackball - which despite using all the shortcuts is sometimes unavoidable - I have to lift my right arm up and 18" to the right to reach the trackball on the desk. After a day of typing this causes right shoulder pain, so I want to reduce the amount I move my right arm.
I have tried balancing a Logitech T650 trackpad between the keyboard and my gut as I type but while it relieves shoulder pain it slides about and is generally a pain to use. I could type on the desk, but that forces me to raise my aims slightly and leads to pain in other places.
What I'd like is a split keyboard with an integrated pointing device so that I can type with a keyboard in my lap and not have to move my hands. Mouse keys as used by the
Keyboardio Model 01,
Ergodox EZ and
Ultimate Hacking Keyboard would certainly help but they may not be precise enough.
The Keyboardio is interesting - the palm keys look like a genuinely useful addition - but as I will sometimes want to travel with the keyboard a piece of solid wood is going to be heavy to lug around. And of course it doesn't have a pointing device onboard. Nor is it available now.
I have always liked the idea of the Ergodox and the EZ takes away the uncertainty regarding assembly. The problem is that it doesn't have a pointing device and also I have fairly small hands - I can't see me being able to reach more than the first row of thumb buttons, which seems a waste. But if this had a pointer it would be a real contender. I could buy it today.
Finally, we come to the UHK which, silly name aside, looks almost perfect. I am used to thumb trackballs so the UHK's trackball module under the right thumb might work really well. I also like the small size and the programmability and the fact that it can be tented and tilted. I've talked to the team leader and I think their aims and schedule are sensible and that they will succeed in their aims.
The problem is that the UHK is not due until September and I have shoulder pain now. Any suggestions for approaches or keyboards I could try?
Ta
Slowz
