The ErgoBoard is a low cost solution for anyone seeking an ergonomic keyboard. Read our Australian review.While ergonomic keyboards don't have to all be of one style -- there are as many shapes of keyboard out there as there are wrist and finger maladies to be redressed -- the most common is the 'split key' style most prominently seen in Microsoft's ergonomic keyboard offerings. It's this style that Belkin's latest keyboard offers, although the layout of the keyboard is subtly different, and the whole keyboard itself is an intimidating black colour. The most noticeable difference is that rather than sporting an immense space bar, the ErgoBoard features two distinct bars, one for eash 'side' of the keyboard with a gap in the middle. At first this struck us as an odd design decision, but in actual usage it doesn't really make that much difference -- the curved nature of the keyboard makes it nigh on impossible to operate in such a way that you'd hit the blank bit in the middle anyway.
Installation of the ErgoBoard on our test system running Windows 2000 was as simple as plugging the USB-only unit in. The unit supports Windows 98 and better, although at least with our test unit, no driver CD for Windows 98 was provided; we were unable to test its performance on a Windows 98 machine, so we're unsure as to how well it would work in that environment.
As with most split-level keyboards, it takes time and patience to develop the same level of proficiency as you may have with a regular flat keyboard. As noted, the split on the ErgoBoard is essentially identical to that of similar Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, so anyone moving over from using an MS keyboard should find the transition essentially painless. It's worth mentioning, however, that the transition back from this kind of keyboard to a regular flat-style keyboard can leave your fingers horribly confused, especially if you try to use a smaller notebook keyboard after an extended session on an ergonomic model. We also experienced issues with the insert/home/pageup block of keys, as it took us some trial and error to stop hitting the scroll lock key when we meant to hit the home key.
In an age where practically every keyboard comes with fifty additional function keys and an integrated coffee maker, the ErgoBoard is unique in offering virtually no frills at all. Given its AU$49.95 asking price, that's hardly all that surprising however, and using one over a period of time did remind us how useless many of the additional keys on more complex keyboards can be. The only concession to extras that the ErgoBoard boasts is that it has two USB ports built into it for daisychaining devices. These are only suitable for low-power USB 1.1 devices (100mA or lower, according to the ErgoBoard's box), and as the ErgoBoard itself takes up one USB port, you're really only gaining one port. What is curious is that on a keyboard that sells itself as ergonomic, the USB ports are anything but -- they're located on the lower back of the keyboard, such that you have to flip and spin the entire keyboard to get to them. The build quality on our test unit could have been better; we had to jiggle the USB connector on a test memory key to get it to plug in at all, and the lack of space underneath meant that the keyboard wobbled unnaceptably. Using any cabled USB device eliminated this problem, of course.
If you're suffering from undue finger and wrist cramps, the best advice we can offer is to take frequent breaks -- there are software products that can remind you to do this if you're particularly bad at keeping track of time. Outside of that ergonomic products like the ErgoBoard can help with some situations. As a keyboard it's unexceptional, but it's priced accordingly, and is solid enough value for money.
Belkin ErgoBoard Pro Keyboard
Company: Belkin Australia
Price: AU$49.95
Distributor: Selected resellers
Phone: 1800 235 546
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