Additional Resources Usage Tips Accessories | Product Summary |
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The Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard from Adesso features a fixed split design with integrated cursor control and clicking. It employs moderate resistance tactile membrane keyswitches to provide feedback while typing with the centrally-positioned 0.875" diameter trackball offering smooth and accurate cursor control while eliminating the need for extended reach to the mouse on the right or left. All of the alpha-numeric keys are standard size, unlike many similar keyboards that have wider keys to create a more symmetrical appearance. This means that a consistent target is present for the fingers on all keys. The Function row of keys are half-height, to help reduce the depth of the keyboard footprint and across the top of the keyboard are 20 hot-key buttons providing one-touch access to Internet Browser and Media Controls, Sleep/Wake/Power, and Calculator/My Computer/Media Player/Email. The keycap legends are twice the size of standard legending, making this suitable where higher visibility is required.
While the keyboard does offer a split layout, the separation in the middle is quite limited when compared to other split keyboards, even earlier models from Adesso. The minimal separation limits the benefit that the split could otherwise provide. The splay is also less than most other fixed-splay keyboards, only around 24°. The minimal separation and the reduced splay will result in some degree of wrist deviation for all except those of very slender build. The Navigation Keys, and especially the Numeric Keypad are angled the opposite of the Alpha/Numeric Keys, with the result being that orienting the hand to these, especially the numeric keypad, will require either a noticeable degree of outward rotation of the shoulder, abduction at the elbow, or ulnar deviation at the wrist.
The Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard includes an integrated sloping palm support. However these are solely composed of hard plastic that is fairly slippery, causing the heels of the hands to slip back off the keyboard - those with longer hands will find this more noticeable. As well, the depth of the supports is noticeably shallower than earlier Adesso designs, especially for the right hand, further increasing the potential of slippage occurring.
Both left and right Space Bar keys lack stabilization which leads to a variance in activation feel over the width of the spacebar. In addition, the Caps Lock, Shift, Enter and both Space Bar keys are recessed slightly lower than the other keys, permitting less travel. As a result all of these bottom-out earlier than the other keys, which can be disconcerting and break typing rhythm.
The left and right alpha-numeric key groupings also feature slightly differing angles and keycap elevation. The left has both a slightly steeper angle and greater keycap elevation from row to row than the right key group. While the variance is not pronounced there may be those who find it significant enough to affect their positional proprioception. | Ergonomic Benefits |
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Splayed Split Layout - The splayed layout (about 24°) is designed to reduce deviation by aligning the keys to the angle of the hands when one reaches in to the keyboard.
Note: Because the split on this keyboard is very limited (just 0.25") at the top of the keys most people will find little benefit from the split feature and may still experience wrist deviation even with the splayed layout.
Learn More About Ulnar Deviation.
Tented Keys - The primary alpha-numeric keys are angled (tented) outward at about 10° to help reduce pronation.
Learn More About Pronation.
Large Print Legends - The Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard features large print (200% of standard) legending that is ideal for anyone with limited vision.
Reduces Over-Reach on Right - The centrally-positioned integrated Trackball eliminates reaching for the mouse, reducing outward shoulder rotation.
Learn More About the Comfort Zone.
Can Reduce Wrist Extension - The integrated palm supports can assist in maintaining a more neutral alignment of the wrists.
Learn More About Wrist Extension.
Note: Those with larger or longer hands may find their hands slipping down and away from the keyboard.
| Features |
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- Cordless Convenience: The 2.4 gHz wireless connection can provide access up to 30 feet from the USB-A receiver.
- Built-In Trackball: The 0.875" integrated central trackball eliminates the need for a mouse to either side of the keyboard - eliminating any need to reach out past the keyboard. The trackball movement is very smooth and the trackball is large enough to provide a very good degree of control. Navigation, and scrolling are done with just a light tough of the finger. There are also manual Left and Right click buttons on either side of the trackball and the trackball itself can be pressed, generating a middle click (just like clicking a scroll wheel) to access the autoscroll scroll function. With autoscroll engaged you just roll the trackball to scroll in the desired direction, then click either of the left or right buttons (or the trackball) to disable autoscroll and return to standard trackball function.
- Hot Keys: 20 Hot-Key buttons offer one-touch access to internet and multimedia as well as numerous Windows features.
- Integrated Palm Support: The Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard has a fixed integrated palm support. Those with longer hands may find it slightly shallow, leading to their hands wanting to slide back from the keyboard.
- Splayed and Tented Layout: The alpha-numeric keys offer about 24° of splay to reduce wrist deviation and about 10° of tenting to reduce pronation.
| Images (Click on any thumbnail to view larger image) |
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Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Profile
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Sloped Design
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Integrated Trackball
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Splayed Layout
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Features
| Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard - Large Legends
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| Technical Specifications |
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| Models |
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| Model # | Description |
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WKB-3500UB | Wireless Ergonomic Trackball Keyboard, Black, No 30 day CSG |
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