I have a love-hate relationship with my computer. It’s a huge part of my daily routine and lends to my ability to work-from-home. However, a comfortable computer experience isn’t always happening. My computer set-up makes my wrists downright angry. As a matter of fact, most of the time, my wrists would prefer I stay away from the computer. They don’t mind the typing so much, it’s the damn mouse they seem to hate. Let me correct that, my right wrist hates the mouse. The left wrist doesn’t care, because I’m a righty.
Creating a comfortable computer experience at your desk
Let’s review for those of you who might be new to November Sunflower: office supplies turn me on. Any chance I get to go to an office supply store, it’s a thrill. When I’m checking out office supplies online, it’s probably like what women feel when checking out shoes, or handbags. I always say different strokes for different folks.
Now to share some new items I’m spending time with. The Fellowes Memory Foam Keyboard Palm Support and the Fellowes Memory Foam Gliding Palm Support with Mouse Pad. I’ve seen a million and one of those keyboard pad cushion things, you know the wrist rest. Not many of them impress me. However, I’d never seen anything to help keep your wrists comfy when using your mouse.
Fellowes Memory Foam Keyboard Palm Support
Quality control
Definitely well-made products. The keyboard support has three “rests” for your wrists. Not because people have 3 wrists, of course. It’s because when you’re typing on a keyboard your wrists are in one place, however, when using the number keys on the far right side of your keyboard, your wrist position changes. Great for doing a lot of data entry.
If you’re on a MAC, it’s a little awkward. MAC keyboards are flatter and minimalist than a PC keyboard. It helps reduce wrist pain, but I’m not sure I’ll get used to it. Perhaps I’ll suck it up and adjust.
Design
It’s designed so people place their hands in the correct ergonomic positions. Plus, there’s a patent Health-V Channel to help reduce wrist pressure. It claims to help Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Downfall? It’s black. Sure, it has Microban antimicrobial protection to keep the pad surface cleaner, but it’s black. BORING. Not to mention, it shows a lot of dust. On the flip side, it can be cleaned rather easily.
Fellowes Memory Foam Gliding Palm Support with Mouse Pad
The foam palm support with mouse pad: this is a winner-winner, chicken dinner kind of item for me! Personally, I don’t need the mousepad part. Totally not necessary, but it’s nice that they throw it into the mix.
I use the mouse a lot during the day, as well as night. I have a lot of wrist issues when I’m doing other activities besides using the mouse (the nerve of me, right)? Although a little awkward to use at first, we’re old friends now.
How it works
Here’s the deal with this little beauty:
- it attaches to your mouse with an elastic strip thing
- the elastic has sticky stuff on it, to easily attach the mouse
Once everything is in place, and a bit of practice, it’s definitely reducing stress on a user’s wrist. Your hands a little higher, so it doesn’t cradle the mouse. Users learn how to use the mouse in a more “natural” movement. However, it definitely doesn’t feel natural after doing it the wrong way for so long. It’s easy-gliding, and it has that patented Health-V Channel, again reducing pressure on the wrist.
Downfall
The mouse pad is supposed to be optical friendly, but not with my mouse. My mouse isn’t top-of-the-line. I’m sure a higher quality mouse makes a big difference. I mean, it comes with the palm support, you might as well test it out. The glide of the mouse and the wrist rest aren’t affected if you decide not to use the mousepad it comes with.
If you can’t buy both, and have to choose between the two items: go with the Gliding Palm Support. It’s pretty cool, and I feel the difference in my wrist already. I’m still getting used to the keyboard palm support……it’ll take a lot longer for that. It kind of makes me type slower, and that’s just not working for me.
