I’m quite tall and have rather long arms. As a consequence, I rarely find myself sitting at the desk with the elbows bent at a proper angle while typing. I figured out it would be more comfortable for me to work with the keyboard sitting on my lap, tented if possible, but I couldn’t find a stable configuration with my split 34-keys board. Is there anybody that came up with a smart solution to this?
I’m also considering building a small unibody like the hummingbird, but I guess it may be too small to comfortably sit on the lap.
Corne-ish Zen with “magfrotto” tenting. Rests surprisingly comfortably and stable. Have had a few long sessions on the couch and a poang chair. Technically I could attach it magnetically to my pants as described here https://evantravers.com/articles/2023/04/06/magsafe-tenting-and-wearable-keyboards/ , but haven’t needed to.
Okay this is very exciting. And is so happening. 😍
I wouldn’t have bet a dime on the stability of those things. That’s great! I was planning to join the magfrotto gang using the z-tripods, but I might as well opt for these ones instead if they can really be used like that.
Yeah, I mean, don’t slam them, but they hold OK. Very convenient.
I’m using a non-ergo keyboard, but to note I still use this setup on the lap: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMobileComputers/comments/tcwep0/raised_tablet_setup_weight_comparison/ - Someday want to switch to a monoblock ergo keyboard.
You may want to consider the folding tentable keyboard design btrfld: https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMobileComputers/comments/119b5gi/v2_of_the_btrfld_a_foldable_low_profile_tenting/ -> https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/118nzbs/v2_of_the_btrfld_a_foldable_low_profile_tenting/
Super interesting setup you have there! And thank you for bringing back to my attention the btrfld, I had forgotten about it. Far too many keys for me, but that’s a design idea I should look into if I’ll ever try to design my own keyboard.
I just bought an oak board about 1/4 inch thick and 6 inches wide, sawed it off about two feet long, and made sure my keyboard was rubberized on the bottom
Stenography keyboards sometimes come with a camera tripod screw in the base. That allows you to mount the keyboard at lap height in a stable way.
For example: https://docs.stenokeyboards.com/customize/tripod.html
I need a more commute-friendly solution, but that’s an interesting approach nonetheless. Thank you for sharing!
Ben Vallack made a video really close to your question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOupyi-lQZM annnnd of course ~14 months later he found a better way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT3TToFqqEU
My keyboard designs are unibody with a slight split, very similar to the lumberjack. when I break it apart , a slight angle really makes it comfortable to use. but nothing really beats having your arms shoulder width apart, as it helps put the shoulder blades sit in a more natural placement.
