Learning the Curve: The Kinesis Advantage Keyboard

Ergonomic keyboards share a few common goals: reducing forearm pronation, lowering force needed to depress keys, and putting fingers and wrists in the most natural positions possible. The Kinesis Advantage contoured ergonomic keyboard tries to do so in a unique way.

Rather than tenting like many of our other keyboard models, the Advantage places its keys in two fixed wells that are designed to fit the hand shape of users. With these wells, supposedly keys are positioned and aligned according to the natural position of the fingers. It also places the keys closer together than a traditional keyboard can, minimizing the amount of stretching necessary.

These features are beneficial, but new users should be aware that the Advantage has a learning curve. Users generally need a few days before they can accustom themselves to the unique hand position necessary to type. Adding to this is an optional alternative key layout, called DVORAK. In contrast to the traditional QWERTY layout, it promises to speed up typing. However, users who want to learn this layout must accustom themselves to it first.

People who can get used to the Advantage’s quirks often become fiercely loyal to it. It has one of the more devoted followings of any item we sell. If you think you might be able to get past the Advantage’s learning curve and master its use, it can provide you with important ergonomic benefits.