CompX Waterloo Sit Or Stand Capable Arm, Keyboard Tray & Mouse Tray Package Featuring Lift-N-Lock Adjustability Black

I finally have a keyboard tray that I, being as short as I am, can have at the low height that I need, but others can raise it when they want to use my computer. Anyone who tried using my computer before kept banging their knees into my keyboard tray. This new keyboard tray was exactly what In needed.I also really like how solid it is. We installed a less expensive one for someone else, and it practically bounces with each keystroke, and is difficult to get to stay in any setting other than its lowest position. So I am very happy with how solid this is. Plus it adjusts to any position and stays there when I need it to.Another nice surprise about this keyboard tray is that it came with a sheet of non-skid rubber matting to place under the keyboard. It is wonderful to keep the keyboard in place. It's too bad they don't include one for the mouse extension.I have two minor complaints about this keyboard tray. The mouse tray surface is 1/2 inch lower than the keyboard tray surface. I am used to having the mouse at the same level as the keyboard tray, and this seems to make me reach for the mouse more than I had to before. I am thinking of getting some sort of padding to raise the surface of the mouse tray. Or maybe it is just something to get used to.My other bigger complaint is that there was nothing in the description telling me how big of a flat surface area is needed for mounting the tray. That mounting plate that the tray attaches to is 6 x 22 inches. I was so disappointed and thought I would have to return the tray because my terminal table that I was attaching it to has a support bar that crosses 16 inches from the front of the table. Luckily my husband thought of putting in block spacers to make a surface below the support bar so I could still attach the keyboard tray. However, that means my keyboard tray is not quite as flush with the table as I had envisioned, but that's OK. I was able to raise my terminal table height to make up the difference. So I just want to let any future purchasers know that you need a flat surface area of 6 x 22 for mounting the keyboard tray.Those are both small complaints that I could work around, so I am still giving a 4 star rating. If it weren't for those, I would give it a 5 star rating, because I really do like the keyboard tray!

I've used the less expensive keyboard trays sold at office stores, and they always seem to break after a couple of years. Or a critical plastic part shatters with one accidental bump. Their ball bearings start to bind or fall out so the tray doesn't roll in/out like it should. They have no height adjustment.This arm and tray are quite different. The mostly-steel build is high quality and I haven't found any defects. It's clearly made to last, and would shrug off accidental bumps. There are no ball bearings to wear out, and a minimum of plastic used. The keyboard/mouse can be angled for typing comfort, though the mouse could slide off at a steep angle. I recommend adding a mouse pad with wrist rest, if you do a lot of mousing.My desk/table is very deep, and I recessed the mounting bracket so that my keyboard/mouse disappear under the desktop by nearly 10 inches... great for non-computer work: sit right up to the desk. Yet, the keyboard/mouse can be extended about a foot (total) in front of the desk and angled for comfortable typing while reclining. The arm glides in/out on a greased track with four plastic (Delrin?) bearing points. After a long time of resting my wrists (get the optional palm rest), the tray sticks in position, but a little force frees it to glide in/out again.The one disadvantage over those cheap keyboard trays is the size of the support arm. It sticks down 6.3 inches even when set for minimim profile (tray neither raised nor lowered). I've learned not to bang my knees on this "immovable object." When I push the tray all the way back, it's not an issue because the arm is well away from my knees.Per other reviews, the instructions are minimal and you're expected to figure it out on your own (which isn't too hard). The thickness of your table/desk top must be enough to support a lot of force, especially with the arm extended and your wrists leaning on it. One-inch thick particle board seems fine - no sagging yet. The hard foam palm rest attachment is more firm than some squishy gel types, but quite comfortable over long periods of use and seems to wear well.There is a large handle on the tray height/angle locking screw. It can be repositioned so the handle is out of the way - just pull the handle out, turn to the preferred position, and release. It re-engages at the new position.I don't expect to need another keyboard tray, as this one should never wear out or break. But if I did buy another, it would be this Waterloo or equivalent.** Update May 2013 **After five years, this Waterloo keyboard tray is still working just like when it was new. Nothing has broken, the tray glides in/out and up/down, and surprisingly the foam wrist rest shows almost no signs of wear. It has already outlasted two keyboards - I type a lot!

Some folks have complained about the instructions being vague, but you shouldn't even need them (long bracket gets mounted under your desk and keyboard tray is bolted onto that). One word of advice though, don't center the mounting bracket under your desk. I did, and now I'm going to take it apart and mount it 5" to the left of center to accommodate the slide out mousing surface (on my right). And speaking of the mousing surface, its a good 1" lower than your keyboard. This makes for an awkward reach for the mouse. Until I rubber cement some corkboard and a thick mousepad on top of it I've closed the mouse surface and put my mouse on the keyboard tray.The above, minor, inconveniences aside, this is still an excellent buy. The Steelcase keyboard tray I use at the office is a little fancier, but no more well built, and its a $450 product. If you are looking for quality and value and don't mind spending a few extra hours "customizing" the mouse surface, this is the product for you.I work in IT as a DBA and between that, and personal use, I spend 70+ hours at a computer each week. Carpal tunnel/Repetitive Motion Disorder is a real problem for me. I graduated to Goldtouch split keyboards and Evoluent vertical mice years ago but those only offer temporary respite. It doesn't matter how ergonomic, or "natural" the motion is, if you do it over and over and over again it will damage your hands, wrists and shoulders. With an articulating keyboard tray, you can change the angle of your keyboard and mouse several times a day. This is the key, changing the angle of the motion continuously, since, until someone comes up with a better human/computer interface, you can't change the motion itself.