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Ergonomics,

How To Choose Workrite Keyboard Trays

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We get these questions all the time!
What all do I need to buy an adjustable keyboard tray?
This is so confusing, where do I start?
I want a keyboard tray, why do I need a keyboard arm?
I have a cubicle with a corner, L-shaped worksurface. What options do I have to buy a keyboard tray?

We decided to write a blog that will provide a guide about where to start with Workrite keyboards and accessories.

First and foremost, start with the shape of your worksurface.

Having determined your worksurface, you have two options; you can choose from Workrite’s pre-configured keyboard systems or build your own keyboard system by combining various elements of your choice as long as they are mutually compatible. A keyboard system allows you to install a keyboard tray – a tray to hold your keyboard and mouse – underneath your desk so your typing zone is close to your thigh and your elbows are at an ergonomically healthy 90-100 degrees angle. This angle will relax your shoulders and neck and keep them relaxed throughout prolonged typing and working.  

So what are the different elements of a keyboard system –

  1. Keyboard trays – These trays are the platforms that hold the keyboard as well as mouse.
  2. Keyboard Arms – Arms impart adjustability to the keyboard tray – either stow them away after use, raise them above worksurface to stand and work or rotate them for a colleague to type. The arm attaches the tray to the track and slides back and forth inside the track.
  3. Tracks – Generally a rectangular metal track, usually 6”- 8” wide and 17”- 22” long, in installed underneath the desktop to accommodate the keyboard arm and make the tray movable.

You can use the table below if you want to buy a Workrite pre-configured system. Please take note of the tilt and total height adjustability you need above and underneath the worksurface.

WORKRITE PRE-CONFIGURED KEYBOARD SYSTEMS AND COMPATIBILITY     
Name of the systemCompatibility of DeskComponentsTiltHeight adjustmentFeatures
Metro6Straight Pinnacle EX arm + Metro platform + 22" trackNegative tilt - 20 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6.5" below desk, 2.38" above deskMouse in line with keyboard tray, Palm Support included
Banana BoardStraight, Diagonal Corner, Curved Corner, 90 degrees3170 Pinnacle 2 arm + 17", 22" track + Banana Board (UB-2180s-25) Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskMost popular of WR's systems, Removable Palm Support, Sliding Reversible Mouse Surface
Revo systemStraight, Diagonal Corner, Curved Corner, 90 degrees3170 Pinnacle 2 arm + 17", 22" track + 2100FT Revo Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskRemovable Palm Support, Mouse-over position
S2S Compact systemStraight, Diagonal Corner 22" or greater, 90 degreesPinnacle S2S arm + 17", 22" track + 25" Compact Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 20 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below desk, 16" above deskFor compact keyboards less than 6" deep, Highest vertical adjustability of the arm from 16" above to 6" below work surface to convert fixed height workstation to sit stand workstations, Palm Support included, Reversible Mouse platform
S2S UltrathinStraight, Diagonal Corner 24" or greater, 90 degreesPinnacle S2S arm + 17", 22" track + 27" Standard Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 20 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below desk, 16" above deskFor compact keyboards less than 6" deep, Highest vertical adjustability of the arm from 16" above to 6" below work surface to convert fixed height workstation to sit stand workstations, Palm Support included, Reversible Mouse platform
Advantage DualStraight, Diagonal Corner 17" or greater, Curved Corner 18" or greater, 90 degrees3175 Pinnacle 2 Value Keyboard Arm + 17", 22" track + 2100D Advantage Dual Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskAllows for instant change from right to left hand mousing, Removable Palm Support
Advantage SingleStraight, Diagonal Corner 17" or greater, Curved Corner 18" or greater, 90 degrees3175 Pinnacle 2 Value Keyboard Arm + 17", 22" track + 2110RL Advantage Single Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskRemovable Palm Support
Compact PlatformStraight3175 Pinnacle 2 Value Keyboard Arm + 17", 22" track + 25" Compact PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskFor compact keyboards less than 6" deep, size permits full stowing even on 17" track, Includes palm support, Reversible Mouse platform
Standard PlatformStraight3175 Pinnacle 2 Value Keyboard Arm + 17", 22" track + 27" Standard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskRemovable Palm Support, Reversible Mouse platform
Fundamentals AKP01Straight173 arm + 17", 22" track + FD-AKP01 Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskIncludes palm support
Fundamentals AKP02Straight, Diagonal Corner 17" or greater, Curved Corner 18" or greater, 90 degrees3175 Pinnacle 2 Value Keyboard Arm + 17", 22" track + FD-AKP02 Keyboard PlatformNegative tilt - 15 degrees
Positive tilt - 10 degrees
6" below deskIncludes palm support, Reversible mouse surface

If you wish to build a keyboard system on your own by choosing the keyboard tray, track and keyboard arm individually, here’s what you can do.

  1. Select a keyboard tray Note, this is completely a matter of personal preference as it has to do with the layout and size of the tray.
    1. Also note, some of the units in this list are sold as complete systems (if one of those is selected, you can skip #2)
  2. Select a keyboard arm
    • Pinnacle 2 and Pinnacle 2 (Budget Arms (Value)) are pretty much identical offering the same exact functionality except:

Regular Pinnacle 2 uses a smooth-ball bearing track which is easier to slide in and out. Pinnacle 2 (Budget Arms (Value)) are slightly lower price and use a nylon track which “catches” a little bit more. While this may seem like a drawback, some users actually prefer it as the resistance also means that you won’t bump it and have the entire keyboard tray sliding in/out. Pinnacle 2 Extended has slightly more height adjustment (see below image) and has a slightly longer arm allowing the keyboard tray to be positioned further away from the end of the track (useful in some corner desks if a corner solution is not used). Pinnacle AD, S2S, and Gemini Series arms are sit-stand arms that are able to go above the height of the track. If you need additional information on arms with capability for sit-stand, please let me know.

Fixed Mount arms are intended for sit-stand desks are mounted directly to the desk and cannot slide in/out as they do not use a track.

3. Select track length:

Track length will vary. The longer the track the further the keyboard tray can be stowed in underneath the desk. To determine the track length you would need to know how much free space there is from the front of the desk to the back of the desktop along the path where the keyboard system would slide in/out. This is measured on the underside and needs to be completely even surface. If there is an obstruction such as a crossbar, you would need to stop measuring.

  • Corner solution – there are a few different corner solutions available. On each keyboard tray page there is usually a desk compatibility drawing that shows you if they work with your corner desk and otherwise what adapter would be required to mount (see example below).

Here’s a table giving the full list of keyboard trays and compatible components in order for you to build an entire keyboard system.

Solo Platforms     
PlatformModel #Type of WorksurfaceCompatible ArmsAvailable accessoriesAvailable as a Complete Keyboard System
Banana Board2180SStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalYes
Revo2100FTStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalYes
Microsoft Natural Banana Board2181SNStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalNo
17" Reversible Corner 317RLStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsAdapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalNo
Advantage Dual2100DStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalYes
Advantage Single2110RLStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse platform, Mouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalYes
Mouse Under MSFT Natural2110RLNStraight, CornerPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Adapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalNo
Corner Platform188Corner onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsAdapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalNo
Split-Pad Corner488Corner onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsAdapter to convert 90 degrees worksurface to Corner diagonalNo
27" reversible385RLStraight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, Fundamentals-No
25" Split-Pad Standard482Straight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, Fundamentals-No
27" Split-Pad standard485Straight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, Fundamentals_Yes
25" Compact Platform172Straight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse palm support, Yes
25" Standard182Straight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, Fundamentals-No
27" Standard185Straight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, Fundamentals-Yes
Standard with Slide180SStraight onlyPinnacle 2, Pinnacle 2 EX, Pinnacle 2 Value, Pinnacle AD, Pinnacle AD Value, FundamentalsMouse palm support, No

Please send us an email  or call us at 888-456-ERGO if you need help with keyboard tray selection.

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