Best Mobile Computing Options For People With RSI?

gotfork writes "Several years ago I injured my wrists while typing at a poorly set up desk. I am now greatly recovered, and can work at a desktop computer for several hours each day as long as I wear wrist braces. I have avoided using laptops in the past because both TrackPoint-style pointing sticks and touchpads create a lot of strain on my wrists, but I'm ready to give it another shot. Is my best option a stylus-based convertible tablet/laptop (such as the Lenovo X series) or are there any lighter-weight devices that have ergonomic inputs?"

keyboard and mouse combo

[Anonymous Coward]

I've had good success with an Asus e1000H laptop (the smallest I could reasonably comfortably type on for shortish periods) along with a goldtouch folding keyboard (gtp0055, according to the label on the back) and an Evoluent Vertical Mouse 3. For a long time I struggled to get a decent gel-based wrist rest until I gave that up and found that two (clean) business socks with half a cup of rice in each works even better ... the keyboard has a laptop-style travel and comes with slide-off covers to protect it when in your bag. The mouse is a little awkward as it's an odd shape, but otherwise all this stuff goes into a backpack daily ... I'm using these without problems under NetBSD but presumably it would also be fine under Linux or any other flavour of OS - the keyboard also has decals for Mac OSX although I've not tried it on a Mac to see if it works ...

Re:How was it a poor setup?

[gregrah]

I suppose that genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices (how well you take care of yourself outside of the office) would likely play a large part in determining who develops RSI and who doesn't. As such, a "poor setup" is probably relative to the person who is using it.

Re:Get a kitchen timer

[symbolset]

I remember once when I was a kid seeing the doctor for the second time. I thought I needed something to fix, so I twisted my arm up behind my back until my fingers touched my neck. "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

"Son," he said - "pain is your body's way of saying 'don't do that.'"

Words to live by.

If it hurts ...

[arthurpaliden]

Don't do it. Pain is your bodies way of telling you to stop doing something.