I’ve been using a Microsoft Natural keyboard for the last couple of years both at home and in the office.
The time has come for me to replace the keyboard at home, as it’s beginning to have issues with certain keys etc.,
So what kind of keyboard should I get?
I’ve looked at some of the really cool projector style ones, but they’re totally impractical.
I’ve got quite large hands and hate small keyboards
I don’t mind noisy keys, but the quieter the better
Michele Neylon :: Pensieri
Technology, Marketing, Domains, Thoughts
The projector would drive you mad as there is no tactile feedback. Go for the MS Natural Keyboard. They mightn’t be able to make a proper OS but when it comes to hardware, they have talent 🙂
I have used the Microsoft wireless Comfort keyboard now for two years. I like it so much that I have one for work and one at home. My hands never go near a mouse as I use the computer primarily through keyboard commands so as you can appreciate, I use the keyboard a hell of a lot! I like this because even when sitting over a desk for 8 hours then going home to regularly sit in front of another desk for a further three or four hours I really need a keyboard that doesn’t cause problems like RSI or anything else similar. I can type probably faster than most people using this and because the keys are slightly shaped in places their really easy to hit without many rist movements.
I’m also very particular when it comes to keyboards. If the keys don’t have a good enough reaction I quickly get frustrated. The best way of getting a keyboard is to find a shop that has a good few in stock and play around. I was lucky when I found this. I went into a local reseller just as a MS sales rep was doing his rounds. Pluss, I use to do work in the MS games and hardware team so I got to mess around with quite a lot of their range as well.
In Linux, this thing is flawless as well. Quickly remapping the media keys on the top is no problem thanks to Gnome and probably the same in KDE as well.
If you can find one, the IBM Model M is _very_ nice, but it is quite noisy, and also quite hard work for a while if you’re used to a keyboard which responds on a light press of a key. You can buy them new (same keyboards made by a different company) but they’re quite expensive.
(Oh, and very few Model Ms have the Windows key, so if you use that you’re out of luck).
Robert – I’ve heard a few of the hardcore geeks talking about them alright! I use Windows and Linux, so ideally a keyboard that catered for both would be ideal
Darragh – Sounds good, though I will never use a wireless keyboard ever again, as I am cursed with battery issues.
Niall – You know me to well 🙂
Apparently the ultimate keyboard of all time will be
the Optimus Keyboard
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
Each key is a 32×32 configurable LCD screen
Downsides:
1) The max lifespan of each key is about 5 years
2) It’s gonna be at least $1,500
The Logitech G15 is used a lot by gamers – but maybe you might find all the extra buttons useful. Or really annoying. But the little screen looks fun.
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717
Stewart
I’ve been dreaming of the Optimus for over a year already 🙂
The Logitech G15 looks like it would drive me mad. The screen would probably get pulled off it in about a week.
Michele
good god that’s a hell of a keyboard! Don’t particularly see the need for all that LCD stuff but hay, that’s just me. I’m a traditionalist…
Get a nice Mahogany wood keyboard, classy.
http://www.woodcontour.com/
David, that is tack. Horrid stuff.
Personally I’d go for this guy here – http://www.ergo-items.com/images/products/kids_products/myboard_big.jpeg – Nice use of buttons, glows in the dark and the vowels are highlighted just in case you forget them…or something.
Hmmm, you know what they say:
Big hands, big …
Elly – Heart?
Cormac – yeuch 🙂
David – do they sell the keyboard separately?
After wearing out several keyboards I have been using this one for over a year now: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/IE/EN,CRID=2162,CONTENTID=10709
Very easy to use, with all controls within range. The different shortcut buttons and multi-media controls take a bit of getting used to but are a dream after a while. The mouse is also very easy to use.
Range of both keyboard and mouse is good also.
E.
Try this one, its a new one from MS for vista, very powerfull.
http://www.weenomedia.com/images/ok.jpg
Evert
Looks nice, but I won’t use a wireless keyboard, as I already mentioned. A wired version of that would probably be fine 🙂
Ciaran – ROFL
I’m a natural keyboard fan too with a Microsoft Natural keyboard on my desk since the Elite came out 8 or 9 years ago. I recently added a 2nd PC to my desk and switching between a natural and a conventional layout all day wasn’t an option, so I got a MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard. The layout is just the same but the key action is far better, and the wrist rests have soft pads.
I’m quite fond of my Microsofts Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.
I don’t use any of the extra buttons on it, but the split design, forward tilting and huge wrist rest are fantastic. It also has a pretty good action, it’s definitely not an IBM Model M but it’s better then most modern keyboards.
I used to have an older version of MS’s ergonomic keyboard which I loved, but then I ran out of desk space and switched to a standard MS keyboard which for my computer use has served me well.
Microsoft Wired 500
I use a Microsoft Wireless MultiMedia 1.0A Keyboard and Mouse. Really good, I picked it up in America for $80 and I have seen them here for e140! So it was a nice bargin 😀
I have had my Logitech Dinova for about 2 and a half years and spilled just about very substance known to man on it and it’s still kicking.
Robust and compact but not lame for guys with a bigger hand – nice feedback on the keys but fairly quiet…
I’d only advice it for peeps who like/don’t mind typing on lappy keyboards though because that’s what it feels like…
But otherwise I’d choose no other.
If you are still looking, I came across these proper oldfashioned clicky keyboards in a PC World article.
Just another masterpiece of keyboard art from my point of view – simple but beautiful, I’m lovin’ it – have a look to Enermax’s Aurora
http://www.trustedreviews.com/peripherals/review/2006/08/18/Enermax-Aurora-Keyboard/p1