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Where do you keep your keyboard?
Obviously, if you have an all-in-one like an iMac or a traditional laptop, the keyboard is connected directly to the display. But if you have a desktop or a docking station — or even a Bluetooth keyboard for your mobile phone — there is some flexibility on where you place your keyboard.
I currently have an old (mechanical) Hewlett Packard PS/2 keyboard sitting on my desk attached (via a USB connector) to my laptop. The laptop sits off to the side and feeds into a much larger external monitor. I've tolerated this arrangement for a while but it is becoming apparent that this is far from the most ergonomic arrangement.
So, I am considering getting a keyboard arm. For those who have gone that route, how has that worked for you? What model did you get and how much did it cost? Did it flex under use or was it rigid and solid? Was there space for a mouse next to the keyboard? Do you have any suggestions on what to watch out for, either pro or con?
I'm in hopes that not only will I benefit from the collected experiences of the SoylentNews community, but that someone else we see a reply and choose to do something to improve their arrangement, too.
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday September 27 2016, @01:58PM
here's the $10 version: ingredients: 6 reams of paper,
1 board about 80% as long as the desk is wide and about 45% the desk-depth, one board ~60% wide and ~35% deep.
put 1 ream each under the ends of the narrow board. your keyboard now has a stable place to slide to.
put 2 reams on top of the ends of the narrow board and put the deeper board on top.
now you have a space for speakers under the wings and you also have room for lights/books next to that.
you also have a 2 reams high, easy to reach space to for office utensils/knick-knack.
put monitors/notebook/removable media docking on top. there's room for more books, your coffee etc now.
the bottom layer/original desk can now do crafting and paperwork. room for pads, multiple mice, etc.
this design is completely stable once you set-it up. monitors are at the perfect height for my back and me. your's too probably. just shove the kb/kbs under the board anytime you need space. office supplies are already out of the way. add some under-board led-strip lighting for late night/darkness computing.
brought to you by the guy who has all the power, networking, usb and gadgetry of his workstation in a small dresser that fits (90 degs turned) under the desk so there are no extra cables in sight.
now go and enjoy life without a keyboard-arm!