With people spending a lot more time on keyboards, getting keyboards that reduce the strain on the hands is pretty important, and that is why more people are going in for ergonomic devices. Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Wave includes an elevated palm rest, though not as extreme as the platforms of old. It’s also covered in a lightly padded vinyl upholstery that feels soft yet firm under the wrist, as well as a Goldilocks amount of tackiness (i.e., not too slippery, not sticky, just right). The keys are also positioned in a gentle U-shaped arc that nearly escapes the eye, but is apparent once you set your wrists down and start typing.
But the biggest design innovation that the Wave introduces comes from its name–the keys undulate across the board in a wave-shaped contour that mimics the changing lengths in your own digits. The keys are at their highest on the outside at the A and Enter keys (which, if you’re a touch typist, is where your little fingers are positioned), and the keys trough to their lowest point at D and K (where the longer middle finger resides) before rising slightly at the G and H keys. The keys have a maximum distance variation of 4mm, and the spacebar mimics the wave contour of the keyboard design.
From an ergonomic standpoint, the Wave’s gradual curve isn’t immediately noticeable, but after a few days I found my elbows weren’t hunched next to my body as they were with the straight keyboard, freeing both wrists and shoulders from strain. That said, if you require more substantial ergonomics for your typing (such as the curve and height of the Microsoft Natural), you might be disappointed by the relative flatness of the Wave.
Customer feedback:
1. Pros
+ Integrated wrist cushion – comfy and convenient!
+ Keys are shaped to be closer to your smaller fingers – Less hand movement
+ Integrated number pad in a relatively sleek form factor
+ Quiet key action that seems smoother than others I’ve had
+ Programmable smart keys
Cons
- Corded design, unlike the Wireless Wave Combo set
- Key design takes some getting used to
- May not be enough separation for those who prefer full split ergonomic designs
- Somewhat buggy Logitech software with sleeper (spyware) processes
2. bought the Logitech Wave keyboard (as the name indicates, the overall key pattern goes up and down in waves) just yesterday from Staples, since that was the only place I could find the wired version without the mouse! I don’t have much space on my REAL desktop for a regular mouse, so I use a trackball optical mouse (also good for gaming!), so I don’t need the mouse. Plus, I don’t much see the point of having a wireless keyboard unless you have a REALLY big screen, so you can see what you’re doing form across the room. (Wireless mouse I can understand, so no wires get tangled or restrict movement, but a wireless keyboard?!)
My previous keyboard was a Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 which was pretty good, but after I saw this one, I decided it was time for a change. The 4000 has a rise in the middle at too high an angle where the letter keys seperate, which I got use to, but after awhile of having my fingers poised over the keys and wrists on the rest, my fingertips would get numb and wrists would start to ache. (That might happen to loads of people, but I can’t remember it happening with other keyboards I had) Ergonomic means “efficient design to reduce discomfort”, which I suppose some exceed while others fail.
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