ergonomic

Milk Desk does a body good

We've been logging some long work days of late--deadlines, you know--and the experience has given us the opportunity to make a few observations. First, most desks are just no good for geeks. In addition to the normal paper detritus, a mess of peripherals, accessories, and their attendant cords can quickly turn a desk into a disaster zone. Second, when you sit for a long time in the same desk chair, no matter how ergonomic your setup, your hip joints will threaten to fuse together in a permanent L shape.

The Milk Desk, though, looks to solve both those problems … Read more

Shake hands with the 'Vertical Mouse'

It may be sold at a site called "Fun Shop," but we think this mouse is worth taking seriously, at least in concept. Rather than just flattening out its profile or some other flawed attempt at design, Evoluent made the "Vertical Mouse" with a far more practical ergonomic approach, as Coolest-Gadgets notes. Like the "Wow-Pen," this mouse is constructed to work with the natural movement of our hands. wrists and forearms. What a concept.

A mouse that thinks it's a pen

Finally, a mouse design that makes some sense. And maybe that's because it's not really a mouse at all.

The "Wow-Pen" seen on Chip Chick combines three features for which we have an undying appreciation: It's germ-free, includes an untethered laser pointer and has an ergonomic design that isn't weird. (After all, we started using quills this way centuries ago.)

Make that four features: It also looks pretty nifty and actually comes in colors that don't look like they came from a cartoon.

MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for $17.99 after a $20 mail-in rebate

OnSale.com has the MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for $17.99, after a $20 mail-in rebate >> Regular price is $37.99 >> Offer ends 3/31/2007 >> Click here for deal

Keyboards that morph, break apart

If there's one thing that years of computer use has taught us, it's that one size definitely does not fit all. So companies like Kinesis continue to work on various ergonomic keyboard designs that will keep our wrists and hands from ending up on the permanent disabled list.

The company, which has been at experimenting with various iterations for some time, has come out with a new line called "Freestyle" that's intended for as much customization as possible short of placing and programming individual keys. The first two models are the "Solo" (flat) … Read more

Folding mouse does yoga

For years repetitive stress injuries have sent manufacturers scurrying to build a better mouse, often at significant expense. But Japan's Elecom has decided to take a zen-like approach and look inward for the answer. Which is why it came up with the "M-D13UR" (such a clever name), a wireless optical mouse that changes shapes to suit its owner's needs.

The folding design makes it easier to store, and it definitely looks good. We have just one minor issue: It doesn't look like anything that would fit comfortably in one's hand, either folded or supine. … Read more

A mouse that doesn't look like an alien

Ergonomic products often look like they were designed for some type of life form that hasn't quite evolved yet. And ergonomic mouse designs are often the most extreme examples. (What kind of hand are they supposed to fit, anyway?)

So we were surprised that Microsoft, of all companies, has come out with a mouse that actually looks as if it was designed for humans. Moreover, this "Natural" version of its wireless laser 6000 series appears to address some of the criticisms of its other models, which were deemed uncomfortable for everyday use. We're not sure if … Read more

Keep your Mac, preserve your wrists

Those horrifyingly ugly Crocs that have taken the nation by storm have shown us that being hip and comfy isn't mutually exclusive.

But instead of neon-hued styrofoam clogs, Key Ovation, maker of the Goldtouch line of ergonomic office products, on Wednesday introduced its first Mac-compatible keyboard. This way you can attempt to ward off repetitive stress injury and keep your 24-inch iMac. Nice.

Among other features, the newest Goldtouch is white (shock, I know) and has the Apple/command key. It's also split down the middle for more appropriate wrist positioning and both sections can be adjusted horizontally … Read more