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The Road Warrior Review: Intelligels Wrist Rests For Laptop Computers

Computer Intelligence, Inc. say their new Intelligels line of wrist rests for laptop computers ( http://www.Intelligels.com ) are designed to distinguish themselves among the many types of wrist rests sold for desktop computers and the few offered in the laptop orbit. The design goal was to provide enhanced comfort and relieve of pain and discomfort in the palms and wrists while typing on a laptop case. Intelligels offers two versions of the wrist rest: 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 using the Intelligels 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.

"Installing" the Intelligels rests is simplicity itself. Just remove it from the bubble pack and place it on you 'Book's palmrest. As noted there are two different Intelligels models. 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 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, some will like the feel and some won't, and if you think that sort of 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. It 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 MacBook Pros 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 the iBooks and 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.

[UPDATE: Computer Intelligence, Inc.'s CEO Michael Zuckerman dropped me a note saying that the company is on the case and plans to address customer (and reviewer) concerns as best they can with a forthcoming 'GENERATION II' Intelligels. "I am getting similar feedback as to the need for a tacky/sticky bottom on the Foam," Mr. Zuxkerman says, "consider it done... we have some great solutions coming also to address this in Gen II.... we are securing a new factory partner to develop GEN II as quickly as possible."

Can't ask for a more proactive response than that! CM]
 
With either model, I like having my palms resting on a plane above the level of the keys, so I like the support (and insulation from palm rest heat) the INtelligels provide. 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.

Computer Intelligence, Inc. CEO and founder Michael E. Zuckerman is also the Intelligels product designer, and with years of experience as a road-warrioring IT developer, analyst and consultant 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

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.

Intelligels Original Soft Gel - $19.99

Intelligels Lycra Soft Foam - $23.99

In an introductory offer, buy both styles for $39.99, save 10%, and get free shipping on Amazon.com or E-Bay.

For more information, visit:
http://www.intelligels.com/


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cmoore@macopinion.com

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