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A keyboard tray, that attached to my desk, I never realized how many of my frustrations were just the slightly awkward ergonomics of my keyboard being a few in

by orzig 4y ago

A keyboard tray, that attached to my desk, I never realized how many of my frustrations were just the slightly awkward ergonomics of my keyboard being a few inches too high

Foxcoditrad54 4y ago
Upgraded to a standing desk last year. At first I didn't add my existing keyboard tray since the desk height can be adjusted for correct keyboard ergonomics. Very soon identified some problems: 1. My display cannot be adjusted high enough (this can be fixed by putting a book under the display). 2. Keyboard and mouse take up valuable space on the desk. 3. (most important) Display is physically closer and occupies more of my field-of-view. After a day of work this made me dizzy. So now I'm happily using the keyboard tray again.
- Auracle 4y ago
  It sounds like a monitor arm also would’ve solved those issues, though I suppose that would be more expensive.
xwowsersx 4y ago
So true. Thanks for reminding me, I really need to get myself a tray. I have the autonomous standing desk and even at its lowest height, the keyboard is still too high. The only way I can get the angle of my arms/hands to feel normal is if I raise my chair really high, but then that comes with its own issues. Which keyboard tray did you get?
- factsarelolz 4y ago
  I have an autonomous standing desk (only company I could find march of 2020 that sold solid 71" long desks that are over 30" wide/deep). The lowest setting on mine is 26.0", that's still too high? I would imagine a keyboard tray would drop it another 2-3 inches setting your keyboard below 24" from the floor.
  - xwowsersx 4y ago
    Also, the lowest setting on my desk is 29.5" https://ibb.co/DWtpKRd https://ibb.co/DWtpKRd
    - factsarelolz 4y ago
      Sent an email to the one listed in your profile.
  - xwowsersx 4y ago
    I believe we have the same desk. It's the 70.5" x 30" XL classic. I just measured the height from the floor to the surface of the desk and it's 29". Maybe I'm doing something wrong. If I raise my chair up higher so that my arms aren't angled up, my feet are no longer flat on the floor and they're dangling which is uncomfortable. Part of the problem might be my Kinesis keyboard which is raised up a bit. I have the adjustable stands on them and just lowered them which seems to help a bit. The other issue is that when I raise the seat up enough to have my arms at the right angle, my monitor is then too low even at its highest. I might be able to solve that my putting some books underneath it. Here's what I'm working with: https://ibb.co/MGqcpxc https://ibb.co/MGqcpxc (excuse the mess and wires)
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
silverlake 4y ago
I’m surprised keyboard trays aren’t more popular. I use a tenkeyless keyboard to bring the mouse closer, prevents awkward bending at the elbow. However, most trays require a long track attached under the desk. But most desks have support beams that get in the way. Ergonomics: https://uhs.umich.edu/files/uhs/ergo.pdf https://uhs.umich.edu/files/uhs/ergo.pdf
moffkalast 4y ago
I've had a tray for years but I've only ever used it to store the keyboard when not in use. Typing this from the tray now and it sure feels interesting.

by orzig 4y ago

A keyboard tray, that attached to my desk, I never realized how many of my frustrations were just the slightly awkward ergonomics of my keyboard being a few inches too high

Foxcoditrad54 4y ago

Upgraded to a standing desk last year. At first I didn't add my existing keyboard tray since the desk height can be adjusted for correct keyboard ergonomics. Very soon identified some problems: 1. My display cannot be adjusted high enough (this can be fixed by putting a book under the display). 2. Keyboard and mouse take up valuable space on the desk. 3. (most important) Display is physically closer and occupies more of my field-of-view. After a day of work this made me dizzy. So now I'm happily using the keyboard tray again.

Auracle 4y ago
It sounds like a monitor arm also would’ve solved those issues, though I suppose that would be more expensive.

xwowsersx 4y ago

So true. Thanks for reminding me, I really need to get myself a tray. I have the autonomous standing desk and even at its lowest height, the keyboard is still too high. The only way I can get the angle of my arms/hands to feel normal is if I raise my chair really high, but then that comes with its own issues. Which keyboard tray did you get?

factsarelolz 4y ago
I have an autonomous standing desk (only company I could find march of 2020 that sold solid 71" long desks that are over 30" wide/deep). The lowest setting on mine is 26.0", that's still too high? I would imagine a keyboard tray would drop it another 2-3 inches setting your keyboard below 24" from the floor.
- xwowsersx 4y ago
  Also, the lowest setting on my desk is 29.5" https://ibb.co/DWtpKRd https://ibb.co/DWtpKRd
  - factsarelolz 4y ago
    Sent an email to the one listed in your profile.
- xwowsersx 4y ago
  I believe we have the same desk. It's the 70.5" x 30" XL classic. I just measured the height from the floor to the surface of the desk and it's 29". Maybe I'm doing something wrong. If I raise my chair up higher so that my arms aren't angled up, my feet are no longer flat on the floor and they're dangling which is uncomfortable. Part of the problem might be my Kinesis keyboard which is raised up a bit. I have the adjustable stands on them and just lowered them which seems to help a bit. The other issue is that when I raise the seat up enough to have my arms at the right angle, my monitor is then too low even at its highest. I might be able to solve that my putting some books underneath it. Here's what I'm working with: https://ibb.co/MGqcpxc https://ibb.co/MGqcpxc (excuse the mess and wires)
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]

silverlake 4y ago

I’m surprised keyboard trays aren’t more popular. I use a tenkeyless keyboard to bring the mouse closer, prevents awkward bending at the elbow. However, most trays require a long track attached under the desk. But most desks have support beams that get in the way. Ergonomics: https://uhs.umich.edu/files/uhs/ergo.pdf https://uhs.umich.edu/files/uhs/ergo.pdf

moffkalast 4y ago

I've had a tray for years but I've only ever used it to store the keyboard when not in use. Typing this from the tray now and it sure feels interesting.