We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s no wonder we spend a lot of money on our mattresses. The same goes for our mouse. If you spend most of your working hours holding a mouse in your hand, it’s worth spending money on a well-designed mouse for comfort. And if you’re going to spend money on a mouse, consider a vertical mouse.
A regular mouse keeps the user’s hand horizontal with the wrist slightly twisted inward. A vertical mouse is designed to hold the hand in a similar position as when shaking hands. This reduces the twisting of the wrist and arm and prevents the neck pain that can occur with a regular mouse.
In theory, yes. What about in practice?
Getting used to a vertical mouse
I first discovered vertical mice about 10 years ago when a friend gave me his own vertical mouse as a gift for product testing. He was already using a vertical mouse for work, so I started using Evoluent’s vertical mouse.
Any change in peripherals, whether a mouse, keyboard, or even a monitor, takes some getting used to. I spent a week using the Evoluent mouse somewhat awkwardly before I got used to it. Instead of the “handshake” grip, I couldn’t help but wish I could cover it with my palm from above like a regular mouse. I kept knocking over my vertical mouse. The design of the Evoluent mouse made it easy to tilt, tip over, and accidentally click.
After a disappointing first week, regular mice started to feel weird. A vertical mouse like the Evoluent felt like it complemented my overall posture when sitting at the computer, including the orientation of my hands and arms. I have a high chair with a footrest, so I have to sit up straight and hang my arms low. A vertical mouse really helped me keep my arms in a more natural position.
After using the Evoluent mouse for about a decade, the buttons started to malfunction and the device became unsightly. By then, around 2022, vertical mice had become much more common, so I replaced the Evoluent mouse, which once cost $100, with a $20 model from a company called Nulea.
The Nurea Vertical Mouse showed how small design differences can have a big impact. For one thing, the Nurea Vertical had different button placement. The Evoluent had the back button directly below your thumb, while the Nurea had it above. You had to bend and straighten your thumb more to reach the back button. As a result, you used it less often, but you didn’t accidentally press it. The Nurea’s design was also more asymmetrical than the Evoluent’s, making it harder to accidentally knock it over.
In Praise of the Vertical Mouse
I’ve been sharing my vertical mouse experience with friends who spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Not all of them have tried it, but those who have have been amazed at how quickly they adapt and how effective it is. One friend who works long hours in a hospital office quickly resolved his carpal tunnel issues after replacing his home mouse with a vertical mouse. He now uses a vertical mouse at work. It took him about a day to get used to the new form factor.
The friend who introduced me to vertical mice continues to use a rather fancy mouse called the Logitech MX Vertical, which retails for $99. It has more of the features you’d normally see in a high-end mouse, like a textured surface (the Nurea is a plain piece of plastic) and overall engineering quality. But vertical mice are no longer an expensive novelty or luxury item. With most mouse manufacturers embracing vertical designs, you can easily find one that fits your budget.
Just as it takes some getting used to when you first use an ergonomic keyboard or widescreen monitor, a vertical mouse will require some patience and adjustment if you haven’t used one yet. But once you get the hang of it, it’ll feel like it’s always been there.
editor@itworld.co.kr
Source: www.itworld.co.kr
