You may have been experiencing pain or discomfort in your wrists, fingers, neck and back if you spent a lot of time typing on the computer. These are typical symptoms of insufficient ergonomics which may cause musculoskeletal conditions, decreased productivity and lower quality of life.
One of the main culprits of poor ergonomics is the standard keyboard, which forces you to type in an unnatural and awkward posture. A standard keyboard is flat and narrow, so you have to bend your wrists outward (ulnar deviation) and rotate your palms downward (forearm pronation) to reach the keys. This puts pressure on the nerves, blood vessels, and muscles in your wrists and arms, causing inflammation, numbness, tingling, or pain.
A split keyboard, on the other hand, is designed to help you type in a more comfortable and natural posture. A split keyboard consists of two separate key modules that can be adjusted in angle, distance, and height to suit your individual preferences. By using a split keyboard, you can achieve several ergonomic benefits that can improve your health and performance.
Ergonomic Benefits of Using a Split Keyboard
Some of the ergonomic benefits of using a split keyboard include:
- Reduced ulnar deviation: You can separate the two key modules to align them with your shoulders, so you don’t have to bend your wrists outward. This reduces the strain on the wrist joints and ligaments and prevents compression of the median nerve which can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Reduced forearm pronation: You can tent the two key modules in the middle to elevate the thumb side of your hand, so you don’t have to rotate your palms downward. This reduces the pressure on the forearm muscles and tissues and improves blood circulation and oxygen delivery to the hands.
- Improved typing speed and accuracy: You can splay the two key modules to match the natural angle of your fingers, so you don’t have to stretch or twist them to reach the keys. This improves your typing comfort and efficiency and reduces typing errors and fatigue.
- Enhanced aesthetics and design: You can choose from different styles, colours, sizes, and features of split keyboards to suit your taste and needs. Some split keyboards are mechanical, which offer a more satisfying tactile feedback and sound. Some split keyboards are wireless, which offers more portability and convenience. Some split keyboards have additional keys or functions that can enhance your productivity and creativity.
How to Use a Split Keyboard Effectively
To get the most out of your split keyboard, you need to adjust it properly and use it correctly. Here are some tips on how to use a split keyboard effectively:
- Adjust the separation: Place the two key modules at a distance that allows your arms to extend straight forward from your shoulders without bending inward or outward. The distance may vary depending on your shoulder width, arm length, and desk space.
- Adjust the splay: Rotate the two key modules so that they are parallel to the line of your fingers when they are resting on the home row keys. The angle may vary depending on your hand size, finger length, and typing style.
- Adjust the tenting: Raise or lower the middle part of each key module so that your wrists are straight or slightly bent upward when typing. The height may vary depending on your wrist flexibility, palm thickness, and keyboard shape.
- Practice typing: It may take some time to get used to typing on a split keyboard, especially if you are switching from a standard keyboard. Practise typing regularly on different types of texts and applications to improve your muscle memory and coordination. You may notice some improvement in your typing speed and accuracy over time.
How to Choose a Split Keyboard
You may wonder how to choose the best one when you're shopping for a split keyboard. When selecting the split keyboard, it is important to take into account a range of factors such as:
- Adjustability: The main feature of a split keyboard is its adjustability, which allows you to customise the separation, splay, and tenting of the two key modules. Some split keyboards offer more adjustability than others, with different ranges and mechanisms. You should choose a split keyboard that offers enough adjustability to suit your preferences and needs.
- Switches: The switches are the mechanisms that register the keystrokes on a keyboard. Some split keyboards are mechanical, which means they have individual switches for each key. Mechanical switches offer different options for actuation force, sound level, and feel. You should choose a split keyboard that has switches that match your typing style and comfort.
- Layout: The layout is the arrangement of the keys on a keyboard. Some split keyboards have standard layouts that are similar to conventional keyboards, while others have alternative layouts that are optimised for ergonomics and efficiency. Some split keyboards also have additional keys or functions that can enhance your productivity and creativity. You should choose a split keyboard that has a layout that is easy to use and learn.
- Compatibility: Compatibility is the ability of a keyboard to work with different devices and operating systems. Some split keyboards are compatible with multiple devices and operating systems, while others are specific to certain ones. You should choose a split keyboard that is compatible with the devices and operating systems that you use regularly.
- Price: The price is the amount of money that you have to pay for a keyboard. Split keyboards vary in price depending on their features, quality, and brand. You should choose a split keyboard that fits your budget and offers good value for money.
A split keyboard is a great ergonomic accessory that can help you type in a more comfortable and natural posture. You can reduce the risk of developing typing-related injuries, increase writing speed and accuracy, and enhance your appearance and design by using a split keyboard. To use a split keyboard effectively, you need to adjust it properly and practice typing regularly. You can choose from different brands and models of split keyboards to suit your taste and needs.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative, you can also check out our complementing article on Ergonomic Mouses. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
