Alternative & Ergonomic Keyboards
Pricing and Information
All of the equipment and software listed here can be tried out
in the ATIC Lab. Devices are available for a 3-day loan period
to MIT community members with a valid ID. Please call (253.7808)
or e-mail us (atic@mit.edu) to schedule a demo.
Keyboards by type:
Split
Contoured
One-handed
Compact
Other
Split
- Comfort and Comfort Ergomatic Keyboard
-
description:
- Split, adjustable keyboard. Splits into three separate sections which can be placed in any order. Each section adjusts to different angles from the horizontal.
- price:
- $189-299, depending on model.
- compatibility:
- PC ONLY (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Comfort Keyboard
- www:
- http://www.comfortkeyboard.com
-
GoldTouch Keyboard
- description:
- Adjustable keyboard splits in the middle, allowing for a horizontal and/or vertical tilt from 0-30 degrees. Keyboard is shorter than standard (15") with the number pad embedded. This allows right-handed users to bring the mouse closer to the keyboard. Keys have a light, low stress, action. Separate number pad available.
- price:
- $120 ($50 for separate external number pad)
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Key Ovation
- www:
- http://www.keyovation.com/
-
Kinesis Evolution Adjustable Keyboard
- description:
- Split keyboard with integrated touchpad. Device separates completely into 2 halves and allows for up to 5 feet separation between the two halves. Left half Width: 9.5 inches, Right half = 15.5 inches. Choice of touchpad located on either the left, right or both modules.
- price:
- $299-399 (single or dual touchpad)
- compatibility:
- PC ONLY (PS/2)
- company:
- Kinesis
- www:
- http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/evolution.htm
- Kinesis Maxim
-
description:
- Adjustable keyboard splits in the middle, allowing for a horizontal tilt from 0-30 degrees. Tilts vertically up in the middle also, but at set angles of 0, 8, or 14 degrees. Keyboard is shorter than standard (15.1"), allowing right-handed users to bring the mouse closer to the keyboard. Separate number pad available.
- price:
- $149
- compatibility:
- PC ONLY (PS/2 and USB)
- company:
- Kinesis Corporation
- www:
- http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/
Contoured
-
Adesso TruForm Extended with Touchpad
- description:
- A contoured, sloped keyboard with a built-in touchpad and a split spacebar.
- price:
- $50-70
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Adesso, Inc.
- www:
- Available through MIT's ECAT vendor, http://web.mit.edu/ecat/govconnection/
- Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboard
-
description:
- 16.5 inch long keyboard features separate concave key wells for each hand. Frequently used keys are placed at the thumb. The well design separates your hands, positions your arms at shoulder width, your wrists straight, and your hands so that your thumbs are approximately 20 degrees higher than your pinky fingers. Programmable foot pedal keys available.
- price:
- $225-$425, depending on programmable memory or ability to switch to Dvorak layout.
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, PS/2), Sun (with interface box). See http://web.mit.edu/dmaze/dotfiles/Xmodmap.kinesis
- company:
- Kinesis Corporation
- www:
-
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/benefits.htm
- Microsoft Natural Elite
-
description:
- Sloped and angled keyboard with built-in wrist rest and tapered key size.
- price:
- $45
- compatibility:
- PC ONLY (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Microsoft
- www:
- http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard
One-handed
- Bat Personal Keyboard
-
description:
- A one-handed, compact keyboard that replicates all the functions of a full-size keyboard. Called a "chording" keyboard, letters, numbers, commands and macros are created with key combinations or "chords". The BAT is a good typing solution for persons with physical or visual impairments. Can be used as a one or two-handed chording keyboard.
- price:
- $199-229 for one hand, $349 for two hands
- compatibility:
- PC (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Infogrip, Inc.
- www:
- http://www,infogrip.com
- http://www.onehandkeyboard.com/bat_kybd_details.asp
- Half Keyboard
-
description:
- Compact one-handed keyboard with full-keyboard functionality. Keys replicate both sides of a standard Qwerty keyboard. Requires you hold down the shift key to type keys on the right hand side of a standard keyboard. Dimensions are 5.75 x 3.15 x 0.71 inches. Comes left-handed version ONLY. Wearable version can be attached to your right wrist.
- price:
- $295-495, depending on compatibility and model.
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC, Palm, iPaq, Sony Clie (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Matias Corporation
- www:
- http://www.halfkeyboard.com
- DataDesk Little Fingers
-
description:
- Small (12.5 inches long) keyboard designed for children's hands, but also useful for one-handed typing. Comes with a built-in trackball or number pad.
- price:
- $50-70
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- DataDesk Technologies
- www:
- http://www.data-desk.com
- Twiddler2
-
description:
- A wearable device that combines and keyboard and mouse. The device weights 4 oz. and fits in the palm of your hand. Like the BAT, it requires the use of "chords" or key combinations.
- price:
- $199-219
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, PS/2)
- company:
- Handykey
- www:
- http://www.handykey.com
- FrogPad
- description:
- Compact one-handed keyboard with full-keyboard functionality. Key layout is optimized around the most frequently used keys and around the strongest fingers of the hand. Requires you hold down the shift key to type less commonly used letters; also requires you to hold down number or symbol key to type numbers and symbols. Comes in both left- and right-handed versions, although each can be used with either hand. Dimensions: 5.60" x 3.73" x 0.66"
- price:
- $129-149
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB, Bluetooth)
- company:
- FrogPad
- www:
- http://www.frogpad.com
Compact
- Low Profile Keyboard or Mini Keyboard
-
description:
- Compact style keyboard similar in size and feel to a laptop keyboard. Great for travel.
- price:
- $85
- compatibility:
- PC (USB or PS/2)
- company:
- Infogrip
- www:
- http://www.infogrip.com/product_view.asp?RecordNumber=42
- TypeMatrix
-
description:
- Small, low profile keyboard that arranges its keys in columns as well as rows instead of the standard tiered setup. Features larger, center-positioned Backspace, Tab, and Enter keys and embedded number pad. Compact and light weight (14x7 inches, 1 lb. 9 oz.) Comes in Qwerty or Dvorak layout.
- price:
- $99
- compatibility:
- PC ONLY (PS/2)
- company:
- TypeMatrix
- www:
- http://www.typematrix.com
Other
- Big Keys LX
-
description:
- Keyboard features large one-inch square keys with large lettering. Designed for the visually impaired. Comes in black, white, or color lettering. Available in Qwerty or Alphabetical layout.
- price:
- $185
- compatibility:
- PC (PS/2)
- company:
- Greystone Digital Inc
- www:
- http://www.bigkeys.com
- Gyration Cordless Keyboard
-
description:
- Cordless keyboard with shortcut buttons.
- price:
- $179
- compatibility:
- PC (USB)
- company:
- Gyration
- www:
- http://www.gyration.com/
- Logitech Cordless Elite Duo
-
description:
- A cordless keyboard and mouse combination, with enhanced function keys. Includes Logitech MouseMan Optical.
- price:
- $170
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB)
- company:
- Logitech
- www:
- http://www.logitech.com
- Evoluent Mouse-Friendly Keyboard
-
description:
- A slim, standard keybaord with the number pad on the left so mouse can be placed closer to the keyboard for right-handed mouse users.
- price:
- $64
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB)
- company:
- Evoluent
- www:
- http://www.evoluent.com/kb1.html
- AlphaGrip
-
description:
- Comfortable, handheld touch typing device. Has bidirectional buttons and an enhanced QWERTY layout to maximize typing speed, while reducing the learning curve.
- price:
- $99
- compatibility:
- Mac, PC (USB)
- company:
- AlphaGrip
- www:
- http://www.alphagrips.com
