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In Search Of...Decent Keyboard Trays?

Posted by Cliff on from the something-to-place-your-dvorak-in dept.

lupine asks: "There have been many dicussions about keyboards on Slashdot but I couldnt find any on keyboard trays. So if you have one you like please list the manufacturer, features and estimated price. Im looking for one that is large enough to accomidate a mouse, height and tilt adjustable, but does not need to be retractable (who turns their computer off anyway?!)"

7 of 14 comments (clear)

  1. KellyRest by Rupert · · Score: 2

    We have one of these that my wife liberated from an unworthy employer. It is vastly superior to the Fellowes that we had before.

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    E_NOSIG
  2. okay, you got me by scotpurl · · Score: 2

    That was pretty good joke about flat panels. If I had mod points, you'd get one from me.

    But, yes, I'm drooling over the flat-panels, and once Sony gets some 20"-ers down into my price range ($500), I'm buying two of them.

  3. Howzabout a deeper desk? by scotpurl · · Score: 3

    A keyboard tray is a modern kludge to avoid having a real computer desk.

    My old desk was a piece of 4'x8' plywood (A-C), cut down to 4'x6'. I varnished it (7 coats), and added some cheap folding legs. I think $30 for the whole thing, plus some of my time.

    The extra depth meant I could rest my entire forearm on the desk when typing, and plenty of room for my 17" Sony monitor. If I pushed the monitor back as far as it would go, it was actually too far away.

    They have old "writing" desks, which are only 20" deep. That was fine for a typewriter (when those came along), but now that we have monitors....

  4. Articulating tray by phutureboy · · Score: 2

    I just bought a Fellowes articulating keyboard/mouse tray. It was like $70 at Staples, and bolted onto the bottom of my desk with about 30 mins of work.

    Basically, you loosen a knob and you can control the height and tilt of the tray, and you can also pull it forward and back. I got it so I could position my keyboard in a more ergonomic fashion, and type with my wrists held properly. So far it's worked out really well. Definitely has made things easier on my hands.

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  5. Low and High end by Kefaa · · Score: 2

    I have one on my desk from IKEA ($59 USD). It works great, and adjusts to my constantly changing angles. Downside -- no mouse area, so I keep the mouse on the desk.
    IKEA Keyboard Tray

    If you feel the need to go all out, try this $249 unit from Levenger
    Levenger Keyboard Tray

  6. Tried Your Lap? by Edgewood · · Score: 2
    Have you tried typing with the keyboard on your lap? With the kb that low, you can relax your shoulders. (I keep my mouse at lap height, too. Actually, it's a Logitech trackball velcro'd over the number pad.)

    You'll want the keyboard at an angle so that you don't have to bend your wrists. Some "back specialty stores" sell beanbag-type lap trays that work well to hold the keyboard at a forward-tilted angle. This allows your wrists to stay inline with your forearms, which feels great. (A rolled-up towel works well, too; try it and see if you like it. This could be a no-gear solution.)

    Some back stores: (thanks, google!)
    Relax the Back
    Healthy Back

    Cheers!

  7. Keyboard trays by tallahasseepenguin · · Score: 2

    These are some of my favorites
    http://www.leevalley.com/hardware/page.asp?page=41 363&SID=&ccurrency=2&category=3%2C40894
    great quality and plenty of adjustability