Semi-OT: Keyboards for use with Wacom tablets

TT
Posted By
Todd_Taylor
Feb 24, 2004
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388
Replies
13
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Closed
Since Photoshop is probably the one application most people use with Wacom tablets, I’m hoping this is the right place to go. Sorry if it’s somewhat off topic.

What I’d like to know is what style keyboard are you using along with your Wacom tablet?

The reason why I ask is that I find a standard keyboard, with a number pad on the right, to not be very "ergonomic." I use an 6×8" Intuous2 pad, and as you know, it has a rather large border around the usable area. That, in combination with the width of my keyboard puts the tablet really far away from my reach (if I’m seated directly in front of the keyboard)… so much that I typically end-up typing "crooked" so I’m closer to the tablet.

I’ve considered buying a keyboard with no number pad, or even a "lefty" keyboard, that puts the number pad on the left side. Am I the only one on the planet that has this *problem*? I work at a computer all day (and sometimes all night), so things like this bother me!

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor

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AP
Alpha_Papa
Feb 24, 2004
Keyboard < http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/product.aspx?view=7&a mp;pcid=319686f5-6071-4c3e-b519-8fb06783986c>

Get rid of your cords. Haven’t changed batteries in four months and the 6×8 unit is exactly as deep as the keyboard itself.
TE
Tin Ear
Feb 24, 2004
wrote in message
Since Photoshop is probably the one application most people use with Wacom
tablets, I’m hoping this is the right place to go. Sorry if it’s somewhat off topic.
What I’d like to know is what style keyboard are you using along with your
Wacom tablet?
The reason why I ask is that I find a standard keyboard, with a number pad
on the right, to not be very "ergonomic." I use an 6×8" Intuous2 pad, and as you know, it has a rather large border around the usable area. That, in combination with the width of my keyboard puts the tablet really far away from my reach (if I’m seated directly in front of the keyboard)… so much that I typically end-up typing "crooked" so I’m closer to the tablet.
I’ve considered buying a keyboard with no number pad, or even a "lefty"
keyboard, that puts the number pad on the left side. Am I the only one on the planet that has this *problem*? I work at a computer all day (and sometimes all night), so things like this bother me!
I have the 6×8 Intuos and I work with it on my lap. My keyboard is at a slightly higher level than most desks, so I’m able to slide my chair under with the keyboard with the Intuos on my lap. Someone else mentioned a wireless keyboard. . . I really wish the Intuos was wireless!
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Feb 24, 2004
Apart from cords, get rid of the keyboard! I have put mine uderneath the tabletop on a plateau that neatly "rails out".
So the tablet is in front on top of the desktop.
The separate mouse can either be on top, or to the right of the keyboard. When I sit at my desk the KB is rolled out as a default. I take notes extensively, and because the KB is off the desktop there is plenty of room there for note blocks, documentation and even a.. hmm how do you call that.. a device to put filmstrips on with a light source inside, you know.
Rob
BM
Brendan Mc Canister
Feb 24, 2004
— Snip–

I’ve considered buying a keyboard with no number pad, or even a "lefty"
keyboard, that puts the number pad on the left side. Am I the only one on the planet that has this *problem*? I work at a computer all day (and sometimes all night), so things like this bother me!
Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor

Hey Todd
I think You must love this http://tinyurl.com/znmq
Pade
TT
Todd_Taylor
Feb 24, 2004
Actually, this Logitech keyboard < http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRI D=486,CONTENTID=7321> has the exact layout I would like, but not for $250! It would be really cool to be able to detach the number pad when needed, but I don’t care to pay that much for all sorts of features I won’t use (like the wireless, the mouse, and the built-in numberpad calculator.) If only someone would make a keyboard with that layout for a reasonable price 😉
AP
Alpha_Papa
Feb 24, 2004
And I’m actually like Rob… in that I do use a pull out keyboard shelf. It is definitely nice to be able to whip the keyboard up top every now and then for some more focused typing.

Murphy’s Law I run out of batteries this week 🙂
MM
Martin_McNeil
Feb 25, 2004
Todd, I’d strongly recommend getting the Logitech diNovo; I’ve had mine for over a week now and already I can feel the difference that it makes to my (aching) fingers!

As a CS Suite Premium user, I jump a lot from using the tablet to using the mouse and keyboard for things like precise alignments in PS, hand tweaking code in GoLive and so on… the fact that the media pad is detachable is a boon, the bluetooth connectivity is great if you own a cellphone that supports it and you’ll love the MX900 mouse; I could go on for hours about the quality of the diNovo but I’d end up sounding like a Logitech marketing rep!

One last thing about it; the design of the diNovo is simply stunning and a conversation starter for all those that have visited my office in the last week… it finally gives the PC some bragging rights over the Mac brigade!
TT
Todd_Taylor
Feb 25, 2004
Hi Martin;

Thanks for your input on the Logitech keyboard 🙂 While I agree with you that it has the shape I’m looking for, here’s one reason why I don’t care to pay $250 for a "BlueTooth" keyboard:

The Death of Bluetooth: Intel Moves to Ultrawideband < http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/zd/200402 19/tc_zd/119654>

I don’t own anything else that uses BlueTooth, so paying for that technology, along with paying for a mouse I’ll never use is leaving me apprehensive about buying that keyboard. If it was $100, I’d bite, but $250 is pretty steep!

Aside from doing graphics in Photoshop and Illustrator, I’m also a Microsoft ASP.NET programmer, and I just prefer to use the Wacom tablet over a mouse for everything I do. Therefore, having a nice keyboard is essential, but getting my tablet within 100 miles of that keyboard is essential too 😉

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor
RK
Rob_Keijzer
Feb 25, 2004
I agree with Martin. This design desktop even triggered me to tidy-up the room! My GF was aggrivated that a keyboard achieved what she couldn’t Rob
MM
Martin_McNeil
Feb 25, 2004
Todd,

Whilst Intel are obviously touting their own solution – and who would expect them to do otherwise? – bluetooth will be around for a while yet as it is undergoing it’s own revision; a kind of Bluetooth "2" if you will.

I know this as I work in the mobile communications industry and am perfectly aware of how long it takes to get a system such as ‘Wireless USB’ to the market. Bluetooth has taken over four years to gain market acceptance and is fast becoming the de facto solution for "Personal Area Networks" and has made mobile communications a lot simpler than the old IrDA standards.

Perhaps Wireless USB will be one of those chip level technologies that will creep into motherboards over the next few years and will sit along side Bluetooth and WiFi as a connectivity option without wholly replacing them.

Getting back on topic, I’ve seen USB mini-keyboards at various vendors that are about the size of laptop ones: I found an example of this at <http://www.gen-x-pc.com/notebook_keyboard.htm>

Hope that cures your problem!
TT
Todd_Taylor
Feb 27, 2004
I think I found the keyboard I’m going to go with:

A4Tech Wireless A-Shape < http://www.a4tech.com/en/product2.asp?CID=2&SCID=14& MNO=KBS-2548RP>

I don’t care for the wireless part or the mouse (obviously, ’cause I have a tablet), but it’s only $50 and comes with rechargable batteries that can be charged in the sending unit!!! That’s pretty cool! I don’t use the number pad often, so I don’t care if it’s on the left side.

Sincerely,
Todd M. Taylor
MM
Martin_McNeil
Feb 28, 2004
Glad you finally found a keyboard that meets your needs: now get out there and get creative!! Have fun.

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