Review: Kinesis MPC Switchable Ergonomic Keyboard

One of the more intelligently innovative approaches to ergonomic keyboard input is the Kinesis Contour Keyboard family, which comes in several models including a http://www.dmb-ergonomics.com/mac.htm Macintosh/PC MPC Switchable version.

The central distinguishing feature of Kinesis keyboards is that the alphanumeric keys are separated into two concave, bowl-shaped wells, with smaller, subsidiary, thumb-operated keypads for operations like shift, space bar, delete, command, option, and control.

This patented design is claimed to minimize stress on hands, wrists, and shoulders that users experience from heavy use of conventional computer keyboards. While it appears very funky at first, Kinesis reports that within a couple of hours practice, most new users are at 80% or more of their previous speed and accuracy. Within 2-3 days, speed and accuracy are usually 90-105%. Within 3-5 days, new users are typically up to full speed with both alphanumeric typing and using the thumb keys and arrow keys for editing.

The Kinesis design resulted from two years of research and testing and has proven itself in seven years of commercial use. Jon Biggs of Kinesis also notes that the contoured keyboard was designed "not only to reduce the known risk factors associated with repetitive stress injuries but also to provide a more comfortable platform than other keyboards." Jon says that the Kinesis design is intended to improve productivity as well as typing comfort.

I found the Kinesis MPC unit I tested surprisingly relaxing and comfortable to use. The contoured keywells minimize the need for long finger movements and stretching -- even for the numbered function keys which live on the far side of the keywells. Giving the thumbs more work to do seems like a logical way of spreading typing stresses more evenly.

The mechanical keyswitches used by Kinesis have a pleasantly light touch and smooth action, although my personal preference would be for an even shorter travel, more like the keys on the G3 series PowerBooks. Quality of construction and materials on this keyboard seem first rate, as befits a premium-priced unit.

The MPC Switchable keyboard is, as the name indicates, usable with both Macs and PCs, which is convenient for folks who have to use a PC at work but have their own Mac at home. This is not a minor issue, because it would be awkward to switch back and forth between a standard keyboard and the Kinesis on a regular basis. Kinesis offers a nice $99 leather case with room to tote the keyboard, plus a notebook computer and even a small printer. There is also a cellular phone pocket and folding 3-tier accordion dividers for storing papers.

"The MPCs fill an interesting niche because there's a passion about our keyboards that's similar to that of Macintosh users," comments Caprice Leinonen, vice president of Kinesis Corporation. "Many of our committed customers use Macs at home and rely on the comfort of our keyboards, but are required to use a PC at the office. Now, our convertible keyboard provides the comfort and productivity of an ergonomic keyboard on either platform." With the included cable adapter and a flip of a switch, Kinesis MPC keyboard users can move between Macintosh and PC systems and still use the same ergonomic keyboard -- maximizing their investment.

A Mac ADB adapter cable plugs into the MPC's PC PS/2 cable connector, and a small pushbutton switch in the tunnel under the keyboard's center section changes from Mac to PC mode and back.

Unfortunately, the power switch lives down there in the tunnel too. You can reach it with a probing finger, but it's a blind operation unless you lift the keyboard up to peer underneath. Kinesis suggests making an extension for the switch button out of a length of plastic drinking straw if this is deemed a problem. The "Command + Control + PowerKey" sequence for force-restarting after screen-freezes or crashes is a bit awkward with this arrangement, but doable.

Some of the Contour MPC Switchable keyboard's thumb keys are cross-platform labeled. There are two Mac Command keys (= PC Control), which is a convenience. In Mac mode, the two PC Alt keys become Mac Option and Mac Control keys respectively. The others only carry the PC legend. The Back Space key performs the Mac Delete function and is operated by the left hand rather than the right as is the Mac norm. The Delete key works as Forward Delete in Mac mode. The Enter key performs the Mac Return key function, and the Space key is the Space key in both modes, operated by the right thumb. Page Up, Page Down, Home, and End thumb keys are self-explanatory.

This probably sounds more confusing than it really is in practice. Personally, I adapted fairly quickly, although the Delete/BackSpace key on the left tended to trip me up a bit.

Kinesis cautions that some Kinesis-equipped Macs, especially PowerMacs, may be a bit cranky when booting in "special modes" such as "extensions off." Workarounds are cited in the manual.

The Kinesis keyboard has a compact footprint since it has no dedicated numeric keypad. Instead, a numeric keypad is embedded in the right hand keywell, a function you switch on and off by toggling Num Lock or Shift + Num Lock. I rarely use numeric keypads except for the handy Enter key, so I'll have to take their word for it that one would adapt to this arrangement. You use the same fingers as with a conventional keypad.

Four small green LED indicators on the keyboard's central "bridge" indicate when Caps Lock, Num Lock, Scroll Lock, and Embedded Keypad are active respectively. One spare ADB port is provided on back of the keyboard for the Macintosh mouse.

Kinesis also offers Cirque Glidepoint programmable touchpads for PC and Mac as accessory items. The center bridge of the Kinesis contoured keyboard is ideal for positioning the touch pad, although it can also be placed at the side of the keyboard.

In addition, all Kinesis contoured keyboards support a foot switch that allows the user to re-allocate commonly used key actions from the hands to the feet. Each keyboard can support up to two Single-action foot switches, or the Dual-action foot switch. Using Kinesis programmable contoured keyboards, single and dual foot switches can be set to trigger any keyboard action, such as Esc, Tab, Enter.

For late-model Macs, an optional $59.95 USB adapter allows you to hot-plug two PS2 devices (keyboard, mouse, touchpad, keypad...) into a USB port on your Macintosh, USB-equipped PC, or other USB-compatible system.

The Kinesis USB adapter also supports vertical scrolling with Logitech "wheel mouse" products (a Logitech driver is required). A non-volatile memory chip inside the USB adapter stores configuration settings that let you customize its performance. No software is required. Programming and using the USB adapter is independent of the operating system. The USB adapter is compatible with all Macintosh systems having USB ports (iMac and newer G3/G4 systems) and any PC running Windows 98. It is not compatible with Windows 95, even if "USB extensions" are installed.

Macintosh computers with USB ports should allow immediate connection and use. Windows key actions will converted to the Mac "Command" key action using the default settings of the USB adapter. With the Special Configuration Options, you may change the "windows" keys to the Mac "Option" instead. Kinesis contoured keyboards have "Windows" key actions in the embedded keypad layer. Thus using the default USB adapter settings, the Command key will not be available without pressing the "Keypad" button or an optional foot switch. However the programmable contoured keyboard models and USB adapter can be optimized for use with a Macintosh system.

Kinesis also offers the MAC INTERFACE II device which allows Macintosh computers to accept PS/2 compatible keyboards and mice. With the Mac Interface II, you can connect a PS/2-compatible mouse or trackball plus a Mac-compatible pointing device at the same time Once your Mac is powered up, the Apple "Power Key" is conveniently located as your PC keyboard's Scroll Lock key.

The Contour keyboard's Programmability allows users to customize their keyboards to be more comfortable and more productive. The user can move, copy, or "kill" any key action (using "Remapping") or save keystrokes by storing them in the keyboard memory (using "Macros"). All Kinesis programmable keyboards (as well as special "QD" models of the non-programmable Essential) can switch on the fly between QWERTY and the more efficient Dvorak layout. QD models have alpha keys dual legended for both QWERTY and Dvorak. Dual-legend upgrade kits are also available. Kinesis also can supply dual-legend QWERTY/Dvorak keycaps, which are quite easy to replace using bent paper clip pullers.

The Kinesis Classic can create 24, 36, or 48 macros with up to 56, 38, or 28 characters, respectively. The Professional series has twice the on-board memory and can store larger macros (the user can select between 24,36, or 48 macros of up to 142, 94, and 70 characters, respectively).

To summarize my personal impressions of the Kinesis keyboard, I liked it and found it quite comfortable to type with. I expect that I could become used to it very quickly, and that my speed would at least equal what I can manage on a conventional keyboard. It is a bit pricey compared with more "conventional" ergonomic keyboards, but independent test results (see appendix) indicate that for someone with typing pain or typing injury especially, it could be money well-spent.

If you have misgivings about whether a Kinesis keyboard is for you, Kinesis supports a 60 day return-for-refund policy on its direct sales, and encourages its resellers to offer the same. Returned keyboards are refurbished and sold at a discount by Kinesis direct to users. Shipping charges are not refunded, and discounts are taken for damage from abuse or spills.

Also, if you buy the basic "Essential" contour model, and later decide that your would prefer a programmable unit, the Essential can be upgraded to any Classic or any Professional model. Actually, any recent Kinesis contoured keyboard model can be converted to any other version.

The Kinesis Contour keyboard is available in the following choice of models:

• The Essential (non-programmable) $225-265
The least expensive contoured keyboard. If you don't have RSI and don't plan on customizing the keyboard, this may be the one for you. You can always upgrade later without even sending your keyboard back to Kinesis.

• Classic (basic programmable) $275-345
This is the most popular and versatile Kinesis model -- easily customized by adding optional software and accessories you need, without paying for things you won't use.

• Professional (advanced programmable) $355-425
The contour Professional is popular with programmers and serious computer users suffering from RSI. With twice the memory of the Classic, it supports longer macros. It also has a hidden memory locking switch to protect custom settings from accidental changes, and comes with a single action foot switch.

• Ergo Elan (basic programmable, U.S. International layout)
The layout of the Ergo Elan has been optimized for European computer users. Also, those who work with the Japanese language will appreciate the six special Japanese key actions on board (embedded).

MPC models are Mac/PC switchable (for all Macintosh computers having an ADB port).

For more information about Kinesis Countour keyboards, visit:
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/

Appendix 1: Kinesis Features In Detail

Appendix 2: Lab Testing Confirms Kinesis Advantage

Charles W. Moore

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Tuesday, 07-Feb-2012 23:37:13 EST