| Multifunction Peripherals (MFP) |
|
|  | | | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 27 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 found the following review helpful:
 Good solid keyboard drawer, easy to adjust it to use with my Natural keyboard Apr 06, 2010
By Mary Jo Sminkey
"dog trainer and web programmer"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3PZCDSUEJ0HA6 I've suffered from tendinitis in my elbows and shoulder strain for years from working at a computer for 8+ hours a day. I've done a variety of things to help improve the ergonomics, used elbow supports, adjustable keyboards, etc. but have usually found that cheap keyboard trays that slide out from under a desk are even worse than working on the top of it. But having a chance to try out a truly high-end, adjustable keyboard tray I thought, that really might make a difference.
If you tend to use oversized keyboard like a Natural keyboard, you may have the same problem I do with most trays being totally unsuitable. While this tray is not really specifically designed for anything other than a standard keyboard, I did find it very easy to modify for mine just by removing the wrist support (not really needed since it's built into my keyboard) and the side bracket on the tray. The non-slip surface holds my keyboard nicely and the mouse tray easily can moved off completely to the side. Be sure to check your desk dimensions for fit, it does need a fair amount of depth, and is best with a flat surface that does not have a lip on the front.
I love how easy this tray is to adjust the height on. Just tilt it forward and adjust up or down. You do have to hang on tightly or it will just jump all the way up, so takes a (slight) amount of strength to control. The tilt is equally easy to adjust, with a lever in front of the tray. I thought at first that something was broken as it wouldn't allow me to have my normal slight tilt forward, but I can understand their decision to only tilt away from the user for ergonomic reasons. I find it very comfortable to use in a flat position, now that my keyboard is at a height that is more neutral for my body. I can see getting used to a slight tilt away as well and will give that a try.
The mouse pad is a very good size for what is typical with keyboard trays. I have a very large primary monitor and a smaller second one, and have no problem going all the way left-to-right with the mouse. This would vary of course in terms of how you have your mouse speed set, but is perfect for mine. The pad has a slight texture on it and doesn't feel too slippery. You can adjust it up above the keyboard (which doesn't work real well for my large one as it covers the number pad) or bring it all the way down beside it off to the side. It can easily be used on the left or right side and can slide forward or back as well. A sliding cord holder is a well appreciated feature as I prefer using corded devices (no batteries to change!) Note that the mouse tray does not swivel completely over the tray when raised, so take that into account if you have a very narrow desk space.
Overall this tray is just a great addition to my workspace. I feel so much more comfortable working at it, and am thrilled that it works so well with my equipment. I would highly recommend it to anyone that spends considerable time working at their computer.
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
 Check dimensions first Mar 23, 2010
By Noname
This looks like a very nice keyboard tray, but I was unable to install it.
WHAT KIND OF DESK?
The description says it fits most desks, but it does not fit mine. The track is a little less than 22 inches. My desk is a little deeper than that, but there is wood towards the front and back, so I do not have 22 inches of flat surface on the underside of my desk from front to back.
There is another problem. My desk has a front lip. You know, the piece of wood along the front edge that protrudes downwards. This forces the user to keep the keyboard at a height that is below the bottom of the lip. If the desk does not have a lip, the tray can be adjusted upward.
WHAT KIND OF KEYBOARD?
I have several keyboards. The tray fits my smaller keyboards, but the heftier ones were too big. Keyboards have to be smaller than 17 1/2" x8 1/4" for a comfortable fit.
EVALUATING SOME FEATURES
Since I cannot install the laptop tray, I tried placing this laptop tray on a desk that has a keyboard drawer to get a feel for some of the other features of this keyboard tray. My keyboard drawer is at the height I use everyday, so it would be a good approximation of how I'd use the tray.
The wrist pad is comfortable. It's soft and a good thickness.
The mouse platform can be placed anywhere along the left or right side of the tray. The height can be adjusted up or down and it can swivel 360 degrees. In the down position, it is farther away from the keyboard, since it cannot be adjusted down over the keyboard without hitting and obstructing the keyboard. As it is, my arm feels a little far and high from the keyboard when I use the platform. I am used to my mouse next to my keyboard in my keyboard drawer. I love how the mouse platform feels and looks, though. It's very attractive.
PROS:
+ attractive, would look great in most offices
+ mouse platform (can be used on either side and adjusts up, down, swivels)
+ comfortable wrist pad
+ tray adjusts up, down, swivels
CONS:
- does not fit all desks
- does not fit all keyboards
- desks with lip limits its functionality
SUMMARY
This looks like a nice tray, but it's not for everyone. Be sure to check the dimensions of your desk and keyboard before buying.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
Fellowes Pro Series Keyboard Tray: form & function combined Aug 19, 2010
By John Williamson
"JargonTalk"
Don't mistake this Fellowes Professional Series Executive Keyboard Tray (8036101) for just another under the desk keyboard drawer, as it's far better than that. It may appear to be stylish in a high tech sense, but its function and ergonomic design make it stand out from so many similar products that just cannot compare.
Some years back I had a preliminary diagnosis of tendonitis in my elbows and possibly carpal tunnel syndrome in my wrists, and was told that I needed to observe the basic rules for working long periods before a computer screen. The first was understanding how posture can effect these conditions, and with that some simple computer chair adjustments will help quite a bit. But the ergonomics of working at a keyboard for long periods are more complex. Cheap keyboard trays seem to provide temporary relief for some, but properly adjusted to individual needs, this Fellowes Pro Executive Keyboard Tray can actually enable a user to spend long periods in front of a computer without the typical strain one often encounters.
But the first trick is to get it installed, and that may take some doing for some people. It's easier than one might think, and it also requires some hand tools and a bit of common sense.
Pre-Installation:
It's best to have a desk underside that is flat. The product description says it will fit most desks, but one needs to inspect the surface from the underside before the installation is started. The track is just under 22 inches. If your desk has a front lip underneath (mine did not), then you may wish to measure and cut a piece of plywood on which the track is to be mounted before you begin.
When first unpacking the keyboard tray, look for the instruction sheet for assembly and installation. It's completely visual, and consists of simple and easy-to-follow line drawings and exploded views for each of the steps. There are no written directions or instructions, and each step is logically explained. If you've ever assembled an item from IKEA, you'll find this even easier to follow.
One should inspect the parts as they are removed from the carton, then lay them out in order of the projected assembly, but use care when removing the cardboard separator that separates the mechanism of the arm assembly. It has a powerful spring that could allow the arm components to snap together.
Installation:
There's an adhesive strip on the top side of the attachment rail that's strong enough to hold the rail in place under the desktop while the screws are being fastened. It's important to place the rail in the correct position the first time. It was also helpful to have a carpenter's square to assure that the rail was perpendicular to the front edge of the table/desk.
All of the other parts were also easy to install. Attachment of the front bumper bar that keeps the arm mechanism on the rail was straightforward. Be sure that the bracket overlaps the end of the rails, and that the flat vertical side faces the front of the table/desk. The guides for positioning keyboard and mouse cables are of two types. One is a clip that slides onto the adjustable arm that supports the keyboard. The other two have adhesive backing and may be positioned in any convenient location depending upon desk configuration. Step 8 illustrates suggested location on the arm mechanism, but these might also attach to the under side of the table/desk. The mouse pad may be attached on either right or left side of the keyboard platform, depending on preference and or "handedness."
Pros:
+ Professional looking, attractive in most office settings
+ Adjustable keyboard tray tilts up, down, and swivels
+ Mouse platform can be used on either side and adjusts up, down, swivels
+ Comfortable ergonomic wrist pad
Cons:
- May not fit all desks (see above)
- Does not fit all keyboards, especially smaller Mac keyboards
Summary:
This Fellowes Professional Series Executive Keyboard Tray is, to put it simply, a highly desirable addition to any computer workspace. It can be adjusted to fit the needs of almost any user or working situation. The only problem that this reviewer ran into was that the small Mac keyboards get lost on the tray itself, but this is a highly subjective opinion. All standard and full-size keyboards that this reviewer tried not only fit well, but the keyboard tray enhanced the functionality of the keyboard itself in respect to typing ease and even accuracy.
This 5-star product is a pleasure to use, and is highly recommended.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Average Tray. Jan 15, 2011
By Stevie Smith
I bought this keyboard tray based off of the high Amazon reviews, and assuming that I wouldn't find as much variety at my local brick & mortar store.
Functionally, the tray does everything you need it to do: sturdily hold a keyboard and mouse under your table without you having to worry about it falling. With the multiple height adjustment as well as tilting function, you'll most likely be able to get it in a position with minimal or no wrist discomfort.
The design adds some benefits, but each benefit has a drawback:
- The rolling action is smooth enough, but not fluid. It's basically metal-on-metal with grease. I have seen other models online with ball bearings.
- The keyboard tray comes with an additional horizontal swing, so you can pan the keyboard side-to-side. This is great, if you are working at an angle to your desk, or your monitor is in the corner. However, it creates a little latent wriggle when the keyboard is at rest. Mine jiggles a few centimeters, which is kind of annoying. I'd rather it not pan at all and be 100% non-moving.
- The height adjustment functions basically by gravity against a very large spring. The size, shape, and weight of the keyboard tray itself counterbalances the spring, so that you can lift up or push down the tray to your desired height, without any other mechanisms, locking pins, etc. It's great that the tray stays at that height and doesn't move after it's at rest. The problem is, the physics of the mechanism means that you have to push down on it only from the back of the keyboard tray, not the front, otherwise it won't move. This takes some getting used to.
- The mouse pad is fairly sturdy. It rotates a little too much for my liking; every time I go for the mouse, the pad rotates slightly with my hand. As well, there is no independent tilting function on the mousepad, so it is tilted at whatever angle your keyboard is tilted to.
- While the whole set up is quite sturdy and very very heavy, it's not only the weight which can become an issue for less sturdy desks, but the daily pressure being applied. It's not simply 10+ pounds of constant force, but also additional pressure when you are trying to push the tray down, against the very strong spring, which is connected to the desk. This all adds up to an extreme amount of pressure on both the screws and the desk itself. I'm afraid that some desks may begin to sag in the middle after a long period of use, or at worst scenario, the whole tray falls off or the desk cracks.
- The tray is sized to a full keyboard, and has rubber grips on the bottom to hold the keyboard in place. For mac users with small keyboards, it's huge, and being able to see those rubber pads, as well as the wood and screws underneath is a bit of an eyesore. Also, I'm not sure why they would choose to use a different color mouse laminate pad than the gray colored wood of the keyboard tray -- nor do I understand why the gray of the wristpad is yet another shade of gray. In entirety, the ensemble has 4 shades of gray-- making it all one color, like black, would have been more desirable.
And special note:
- If your desk has a lip, not only does the desk from lip-to-lip have to be 22" long, but you have to be prepared to install the keyboard tray with the heavy 10+ pound arm attached. This makes it a little more difficult to assemble particularly if your desk must remain right side up.
Overall, the tray does it's job, so I'm not going to return it. However, if I had another chance, I'd look into what other trays are like, for the same price, since it is fairly expensive.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Solidly Made... Nov 13, 2010
By Pam Tee
"mom,wife,fur-mom,book-blogger"
The first thing you need to do before purchasing this product is to know what you are going to install it on, and what you are going to use on it. Which is to say, measure, measure, measure.
Big keyboards aren't going to fit, and some desks aren't going to work with the arm support system. For example, if you have one of those big split-ergonomic keyboards, they won't fit. A Mac keyboard will! Also, if you have a fancy desk with a deep bull-nose you are not going to be able to attach the tray.
That said, if you have an armoire setup like mine, you'll find installation is a breeze and the tray is sturdy and looks professionally awesome. The mouse pad I didn't particularly care for. It was just awkward to use so I ended up using the side table which worked out fine.
Pam T~
See all 27 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
