Do Ergonomic Keyboards Make You Type Faster?

In the fast-paced contemporary world, typing is a crucial skill for many professionals and individuals. An efficient typing technique can improve writing, programming, or computer use of all kinds.

One of the solutions that have become popular in recent years is the OEM ergonomic keyboards. However, do these specially designed keyboards enable you to type faster? Let us look at their potential advantages and disadvantages.

Ergonomic Keyboards: A Quick Introduction

Ergonomic keyboards are designed to alleviate physical strain and discomfort during extended typing sessions.

Instead of being straight like regular keyboards, these keyboards are curved around the natural alignment of hands and wrists. This helps prevent RSI (Repetitive Stress Injuries), including carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many Ergonomic Keyboard Manufacturers, like KEYCEO, have incorporated additional features like split keyset design, tenting, and palm rests that also make keyboard use more comfortable, thereby reducing muscle fatigue.

How Do Ergonomic Keyboards Enable Faster Typing

Even though ergonomic keyboards are primarily built to ensure comfort, some users have reported that they type faster once they switch to these specialized designs. The following are a few reasons why ergonomic keyboards may result in quicker typing:

1. Reduced Strain and Fatigue: Ergonomic keyboards can help you retain your typing speed over extended periods without feeling tired or uncomfortable in your hands, wrists, or arms.

2. Improved Hand and Wrist Positioning: The shape of an ergonomic keyboard allows your hands and wrists to stay in a more natural position, thereby lowering strains that arise from repeated movements, which may produce typists’ cramps, hence the overall ease with which one types.

3. Customizable Layout: Some OEM ergonomic keyboards, like those from KEYCEO, offer customizable key layouts to match an individual’s writing style, making it easier for them to type fast and accurately.

Remember that different individuals may have different opportunities for faster typing when using ergonomic keyboards depending on their typing patterns, adaptation period, and specific design of the keyboard used.

Recommended Ergonomic Keyboards from KEYCEO

1. KY-K880 Ergonomic Split Keyboard

Heading into the world of Ergonomics, KEYCEO introduces the KY-K880 Ergonomic Split Keyboard, which is made to suit the needs of most typists. Its split design facilitates the wrists and forearm movements without causing too much strain. This keyboard offers:

● Split Keyset Design: The split keyboard design permits each hand to operate at a better positioning angle, which prevents stress/repetitive strain.

● Adjustable Tenting: Squaring the keyboard is even further enhanced with adjustable tenting features where one raises the middle of the keyboard to the level of one's hands and wrists.

● Mechanical Key Switches: This keyboard is fitted with mechanical key switches, which are very operative and provide clicking upon every key press, offering assistance in research and writing courses.

● Customizable Key Layout: One of the abilities of the KY-K880 is the customizable layout of the keys, which serves one’s typing habits.

2. KY-K882 Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Rest

The KY-K882 Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Rest provides added comfort in the form of a built-in palm rest, thus allowing extended periods of typing. Its key features include:

● Integrated Wrist Rest: This ergonomic keyboard model features a detachable wrist rest that helps keep your palms in a neutral position throughout an ordeal, reducing the chances of soreness.

● Split Keyset Layout: The split keyset layout has an advantage in that it allows a more comfortable posture of the hands, thus enhancing the typing rate while, at the same time, reducing strain.

● Tactile Mechanical Switches: The mechanical key switches are a joy to use because they offer tactile feedback that makes the letters pressed stand out, thus increasing speed when incorporating more letters.

● Wired Connection: The wired USB is easy to use as there are no limitations experienced during usage and provides the best connection when employed in various office and home locations.

3. OEM DIY Alice Gasket Mechanical Keyboard

The OEM DIY Alice Gasket Mechanical Keyboard is one more sectional keyboard that provides an easy-to-use incentive for beginners who want to make their keyboards but with an ergonomic touch.

It is most suitable for those who wish to build their keyboards from a blank slate.

● Ergonomic Alice Layout: The main reason behind the creation of this layout is the reduction of the distance traveled by the fingers. The combination of this layout and a slight tenting angle reduces the risk of injury to the typists.

● Gasket Mount Design: This is a gasket-mounted keyboard that gives more room for movement, providing a softer feel when typing. This design feature can also reduce the sound produced since it’s quieter than the standard mechanical keyboard.

● Aluminium Alloy Shell: This design incorporates a robust aluminum alloy shell, which adds durability but does not divert from its sober contemporary style. It’s ideal for use in office spaces as well as in gaming situations.

● Customizable Build: This model is a DIY keyboard, which is why users are offered various options like key switches and keycaps to have a unique typing style that meets individual needs.

Customizing Your Ergonomic Keyboard for Speed

Customizing the ergonomic keyboard not only assists in enhancing the typing speed but also enhances comfort and decreases the chances of making errors. If you customize the keyboard, the typing experience will become more efficient and fun. Here’s how:

1. Key Remapping

Key remapping provides the ability to reposition certain functions to other keys and makes it easier to access superfluous commands. This will decrease the frequency of stretching fingers, therefore making one type fast with less chance of getting exhausted in the process.

For instance, normal shortcuts or functional symbols can be assigned to certain buttons which could be pressed easily than the general keys, thereby improving the quality of work within a short span of time.

2. Key Spacing Adjustments

People with ergonomic keyboards can adjust the distance between the keys to better suit their hands and typing style. This feature can considerably decrease the frequency of accidental keypresses, while minimizing key spacing will increase the speed and accuracy of the key presses.

3. Macro Creation

Macros allow a number of keystrokes or commands to be simplified to one keystroke. Since you might insert a body of text or a command roughly routinely, this feature is very helpful for repetitive activities.

Macros decrease the number of keystrokes required for certain actions, which significantly improves typing speed and efficiency.

The Correct Position for Ergonomic Keyboard

Typing faster using an OEM ergonomic keyboard is more than just using the keyboard. Proper posture and positioning minimize strain and discomfort.

Have your keyboard at the right height and your wrists in a neutral position. To encourage a more natural alignment of your hands and wrists, you may want to consider an adjustable keyboard tray or negative tilt.

Maintaining proper ergonomic practices reduces one’s chances of getting RSI and could potentially improve typing speed and endurance.

Ergonomic Keyboards in Conjunction with Other Tools

Even though ergonomic keyboards can be helpful to enhance the speed of typing and increase comfort, when combined with other productivity tools, they may become more effective. Consider including ergonomic mice, wrist rests, and adjustable monitor stands in your workspace setup.

These additional accessories will remove even more strain from your body and provide better posture, meaning while you are typing, you will have fewer discomforts distracting you.

Maintenance and Durability of an Ergonomic Keyboard

Regular maintenance is essential for your ergonomic keyboard to keep it moving smoothly and keeping pace with your typing speed. If, for instance, the keys get stuck or no longer respond when pressed, you must follow the manufacturer's cleaning and maintenance instructions.

The table below illustrates the potential impact of an ergonomic keyboard on typing speed over time:

The chart states that there may be an initial drop-off in typing speed when switching to an ergonomic keyboard. Over time, with practice, many users have claimed to have regained their prior typing speeds on traditional keyboards or even surpassed them after a few months of settling in.

Eventually, whether or not someone moves on to an ergonomic board is a matter of personal taste combined with other considerations such as habits developed over years spent at the computer’s console, which make it easier than an alternative and comfort, if not speed.

Final Words

Ergonomic keyboards are highly rated for reducing stress and strain on hands, which makes them great for people who type for long hours.

While their predominant purpose is to correct the posture of the user's hands and wrists, some of these keyboards can enhance the user's speed of typing as well.

To experience the benefits of ergonomic keyboards, explore the range of options available from KEYCEO.

Discover the perfect fit for your workspace and start typing smarter, faster, and more comfortably today by visiting KEYCEO’s OEM ergonomic keyboard.