‘Book Mystique Review: Intelligels Wrist Rests For Laptop Computers [Updated}
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
by Charles W. Moore
Here’s a last-minute gift idea for laptop computer users on your list. Intelligels wrist rests for laptop computers ( www.Intelligels.com ) are designed to provide enhanced comfort and relieve of pain and discomfort in the palms and wrists while typing on a laptop case. Intelligels wrist rests come in two versions: the SoftGEL and the Lycra nylon SoftFOAM. I tested both for this review.
Intelligels are pitched as “one-size-fits-all” that fits a majority of 12” - 17” widescreen laptop/notebook computers. I tried them out on our minifleet of Apple laptops, including my 17” PowerBook, both of my Pismo PowerBooks, and my wife’s 12” iBook. They fit just fine on the PowerBooks, but there was some overhang on either side of the little iBook’s palm rests, which I suppose could be trimmed off if you had no intention of ever using that Intelligels unit with a larger computer.
Looking at this photo and some of the others in this article, you might infer that the bottom strip bordering the central trackpad aperture covers the trackpad button, but in fact it’s not a problem. putting thumb pressure on the Intelligels pad above the button operates it efficiently.
I haven’t had an opportunity to try them with the new unibody MacBooks and MacBook Pros, but I suspect the trackpad aperture in the current Intelligels would be smaller than the larger-area Multi-Touch trackpads on those machines, however, the integrated trackpad button function would be even better-suited to use with intelligels than conventional, separate click buttons are.
“Installing” the Intelligels rests is simple. Just remove it from the bubble pack and place it on you ‘Book’s palmrest. The bottom of the pure polyurethane gel SoftGEL rest presents a smooth and “sticky” bottom contact face that holds the rest quite securely without fasteners in place on the laptop - especially on models with a smooth (like Apple’s aluminum ‘Books) rather than textured palm rest surface. You can quickly remove and store the Intelligels when they’re not in use, and of course when the computer’s lid is closed. although I would suggest keeping the protective plastic film that the SoftGEL ships with covering its sticky bottom surface and using it to prevent picking up dirt and dust when in storage.
The tactile contact surface of the SoftGEL has a quite high coefficient of traction as well, although it is comfortably soft. I expect that some will like the feel and some won’t, and if you think that sort of high-traction feel will bug you, you can opt for the Intelligels Lycra nylon-surfaced SoftFOAM model, whose Lycra fabric palm contact surface is padded with soft foam over a textured rubbery non-skid base, which provides considerably less resistance to shifting around than does the sticky contact surface of the SoftGEL unit. The SoftFOAM model is fairly resistant to shifting if the computer’s wrist rest is on a horizontal plane, and has a smooth, untextured (or at least very fine-textured) contact surface as the metal-skinned MacBooks and PowerBooks do. However if the computer is angled off the horizontal, for example on a laptop stand or bed table like my Laptop Laidback, the SoftFOAM’s grip is not positive enough to keep it from sliding off, especially with a machine that has a textured plastic wrist rest surface like my old Pismo PowerBooks do.
Personally, I prefer the feel of the Lycra-covered SoftFoam model, and the “traction” deficiency for angled incline use can be addressed by employing some sort of double-sided tape, but the sticky SoftGEL unit holds on adequately well on an inclined surface without tape. Since inclined laptop stands and tables are fairly popular, my suggestion to Computer Intelligence, Inc. would be to either equip the SoftFOAM with a similar sticky gel base, or provide optional tape anchor strips.
Computer Intelligence, Inc.’s CEO Michael Zuckerman writes to say that a new ISO900/2001 USA factory has prototyped the Lycra style Intelligels successfully with 3 key improvements made:
1. Using a new, stay-in-place neoprene bottom material that can pitch the computer keyboard 45~50deg on most cases and not even move. It really sticks/stays in place.
2. The height has been lowered 1/4" approximately, making a huge improvement in typing/height hand-to-keyboard feel. The center touchpad was narrowed 1/2" in length (Fits 45 of 46 laptops in BestBuy near perfectly)
3. Flattened out upper and lower edges with ovals on lower/bottom edge indicating where to press touchpad click buttons.
Mr. Zuckerman says he will survey a sufficient base of users for feedback, which is his is #1 prioritynow. As for the GEL style, Zuckerman says he will begin a re-design hopefully in January around the new platform, and with regard to Apple Macbooks, since he has reduced the touchpad window 1/2" in length, it no longer fits the larger touchpad window as before. Still works and feels great he says, but he intends to approach Apple directly to work on a custom design just for MacBooks with Apple's style touches, or at minimum introduce a dedicated version for the Muliti-Touch trackpad models an Apple version if Apple's not interested in co-operating.
Mr. Zuckerman is also the Intelligels product designer, and with years of experience as a road-warrioring IT developer, analyst and consultant he says he has spent many hours working uncomfortably on laptops and personally began to experience early symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. As a direct result of this and unable to find anything in the market to solve his problem, Mr. Zuckerman designed Intelligels laptop computer wrist rests.
With either Intelligels model, I like having my palms resting on a plane above the level of the keys, so I find the support (and insulation from palm rest heat) the Intelligels provide comfortable. This is consistent with a recommendation on the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA’s website referencing the proper positioning of the hand/wrist in the use of computers which reads in part: “Your hands should move freely and be elevated above the wrist/palm rest while typing. When resting, the pad should contact the heel or palm of your hand, not your wrist.” Reaching downward to operate the trackpad takes a bit of getting used to, but most users will soon adjust. The SoftFOAM has perhaps 30 percent more elevation than the SoftGEL, with a curved contour for the heel of you hands and more cushioning effect.
The Intelligels SoftGEL model is available in white, black, hot pink, fluorescent lime green, bright blue, and orange, while the SoftFOAM comes in your choice of black, grey or navy blue
As noted on the US Department of Labor’s OSHA’s website concerning the proper positioning of your hand/wrist in the use of computers: “Your hands should move freely and be elevated above the wrist/palm rest while typing. When resting, the pad should contact the heel or palm of your hand, not your wrist.” Intelligels laptop wrist rests are designed to provide this exact type of support.
In summary, the Intelligels wrist rest pads provide the following features and benefits:
• Position the user’s hands in an ergonomically correct, comfortable typing position.
• Provide enhanced comfort and support for your wrists and hands while using a laptop.
• Provide thermal insulation from hot, hard laptop computer cases, keeping palms and hands cooler and more comfortable
• Reduces wrist strain and may reduce the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress disorders.
• Are durable and washable. Simply rinse with water to clean (Soft Gel model)
Handy full-length PVC plastic custom ziplock storage cases are projected to be available soon.
List prices are $19.99 for Intelligels Original Soft Gel and $23.99 for Intelligels Lycra Soft Foam, but with Intelligels’ 25% Off Holiday -Stocking Stuffer- Sale, the Lycra model is offered for $17.99 and the regular SoftGel for $14.99, or both styles for $32.98, plus you can get
free Super-saver Shipping on Amazon.com for all orders over $25.00 here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019QV9Q8
For more information, visit:
http://www.intelligels.com/
Note: Letters to PowerBook Mystique Mailbag may or may not be published at the editor's discretion. Correspondents' email addresses will NOT be published unless the correspondent specifically requests publication. Letters may be edited for length and/or context.
Opinions expressed in postings to PowerBook Mystique MailBag are owned by the respective correspondents and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Editor and/or PowerBook Central management.
If you would prefer that your message not appear in PowerBook Mystique Mailbag, we would still like to hear from you. Just clearly mark your message "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," and it will not be published.
CM