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View Full Version : Need new input devices: keyboard, trackpad

Kickaha
2007-09-20, 15:59
Alrighty, so I finally got fed up with the POS 'ergonomic' chair at work (why is it that the expensive 'ergonomic' chair with a gazillion adjustments just end up hurting my back more?), and bought a padded reclining lawn chair (http://www.lafumafurniture.com/Lafuma-RSX-XL-recliner.pro). :) I am getting a lot of envy over this in the lab. :D MBP + second monitor at my feet when I'm kicked back = joy.

But.
This means I have my laptop on my lap. This thing is *HOT*. Bad for the boys. So... lapdesk, right? Bzzzt. I end up with this bizarre angle with my arms. The most comfortable position is if I'm relaxed, and have my hands right close to my waist. "AHA!" says I, "I need a tiny little flat keyboard!" Well, the new Apple BT keyboard looks about right. I won't have to have my hands off center like I would with the big USB one, either.

Now, about a mouse... er... right. I have a smallish Wacom tablet that I could use as the mouse, and velcro it to one of the arms of the chair. Not bad, but... I think I can do better. I've found the Cirque EasyCat, SmartCat line of USB trackpads. Small, could velcro easily to the arm, or on a small thin lapdesk for the keyboard. (If I were more comfortable with tracking with my left hand, I'd get the USB keyboard, mount it and the trackpad on a small board, and be done with it. Maybe I should practice.)

Anyway - anyone have any recommendations, experiences, etc?
dazwan
2007-09-20, 16:57
Not sure about using one in a chair, but I like to use a trackball, all you need is a perch large enough to mount the trackball. Great for messy desks as I'm not always ramming my mouse into various magazines or cups of coffee (I always wind up using my mouse mat as a supersize coaster!).

It's just a shame my favourite trackball (MS Trackball Explorer) is no longer made.
Kickaha
2007-09-20, 17:02
Alright, you're the second person to mention a trackball, out of two folks. Hmm. Possibility: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=us,en

I could just rest it on my thigh.
turtle
2007-09-20, 17:21
Alright, you're the second person to mention a trackball, out of two folks. Hmm. Possibility: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=us,en

I could just rest it on my thigh.

I've heard a lot of good things about that trackball at work. I haven't figured out using one yet, but it's your best option so far.
turbulentfurball
2007-09-20, 17:27
Alright, you're the second person to mention a trackball, out of two folks. Hmm. Possibility: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=us,en

I could just rest it on my thigh.

Hold on a sec. If you're going to rest one ball on your thigh, what do you do with the other?

I don't want to know.
torifile
2007-09-20, 17:36
Dude, I got that same chair from Harris Teeter for free because we shopped there like 12 of 15 weeks and spent $40 each trip. :lol:
FFL
2007-09-20, 17:53
Alright, you're the second person to mention a trackball, out of two folks. Hmm. Possibility: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/159&cl=us,en

I could just rest it on my thigh.

I've been using this exact same trackball the exact same way for the past 4 years.

It absolutely ROCKS.
thegeriatric
2007-09-20, 19:56
I am not using a track ball now, but i still have a logitech one (similar to the one in your link) quite old now, i had need to use a wired mouse the other day, so i dug out old faithful, i had forgotten how much i liked using the trackball.

Highly recommended.
Kickaha
2007-09-20, 21:48
Hold on a sec. If you're going to rest one ball on your thigh, what do you do with the other?

I don't want to know.

Sling it over my shoulder, of course. Don't want it getting in the way.