Looking for a good, cheap keyboard.
in [Hardware]
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From: John Corliss on 28 Jan 2010 14:31 John McGaw wrote: > John Corliss wrote: >> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard >> like this one: >> >> http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-00001-Multimedia-Keyboard/dp/B00006D2LI >> >> >> except it's black and white instead of blue and white. Lately, the keys >> have been sticking and no amount of cleaning the board (I disassemble it >> and throw the top part in a solution of Tide and water) will make the >> keys work smoothly again. Besides, I'm sick and tired of having to turn >> the thing on (press the "F Lock" button every time I start up the >> computer) so that I can simply get normal function out of my function >> keys. Another dislike I have always had for the keyboard is that I have >> to install and use Microsoft Intellitype in order to be able to >> configure the special keys to do the things that I want them to. >> Intellitype sucks up a little over 19 mb of my system's pitiful 512 mb >> of ram (I'm a low-bucks hippie). >> >> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has >> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource >> overhead to configure them. >> >> Can anybody recommend something? >> >> TIA > > Cheap is relative. You're right. I meant "inexpensive", but even saying that would be kind of nebulous. I should have said that I'm willing to pay up to about $50 for a new keyboard. > Enermax makes an entire line of keyboards and they > are built to last. Using higher-quality switches and a solid machined > aluminum case shows how serious they are. Personally, I use two of their > Micro version because of my space-deprived workstations but one of their > big ones like > http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_48&products_id=138 > seems as if it would fit your requirements. Thanks. That is a nice looking keyboard. A definite possibility. Thanks for replying! -- John Corliss
From: John Corliss on 28 Jan 2010 14:50 Grinder wrote: > Grinder wrote: >> John Corliss wrote: >>> >>> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard >>> like this one: >>> >>> http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-00001-Multimedia-Keyboard/dp/B00006D2LI >>> >>> except it's black and white instead of blue and white. Lately, the keys >>> have been sticking and no amount of cleaning the board (I disassemble it >>> and throw the top part in a solution of Tide and water) will make the >>> keys work smoothly again. Besides, I'm sick and tired of having to turn >>> the thing on (press the "F Lock" button every time I start up the >>> computer) so that I can simply get normal function out of my function >>> keys. Another dislike I have always had for the keyboard is that I have >>> to install and use Microsoft Intellitype in order to be able to >>> configure the special keys to do the things that I want them to. >>> Intellitype sucks up a little over 19 mb of my system's pitiful 512 mb >>> of ram (I'm a low-bucks hippie). >>> >>> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has >>> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource >>> overhead to configure them. >>> >>> Can anybody recommend something? >> >> Yeah, I used that keyboard for quite awhile as well. FLock was a pain in >> the butt. I generally wanted to have it locked to using F1-F12, but had to >> unlock it to make screenshots--3 keystrokes for a screenshot. This is exactly the experience I've been having! The latest version of Intellitype allows you to set the function buttons to their default settings, but there's a delay when you use them that's more than a little annoying. The result is that most likely you'll go back to turning on the F-Lock button. It almost seems like social engineering on MS's part. I notice that a lot of keyboard manufacturers have taken to similar 2 column layouts above the arrow keys instead of the standard three columns of keys that you used to see more commonly. >> I'm now using a Logitech Wave, but there are several things about it you >> might not like: >> >> 1) Special software to make the extra function keys work. I suspect this >> is the deal for any keyboard with more than the basic keys. SetPoint takes >> up about 11MB on my Win7-64bit system. Well, that's still a little less than Intellipoint. My biggest problem right now is that I'm having a hard time typing on this keyboard because the keys are sticking as I press down on them. >> 2) It's wireless. That's not a feature I care about. In fact, I would >> prefer not to have to buy the batteries. I do like the keyboard, though, >> and the wireless version for some reason was a lot cheaper than the wired >> version, and, it came with a mouse. Office Depot has the wired version here: http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/618375/Logitech-104-Key-Wave-Keyboard/ and it's $50.99. They also offer the wireless version, but without a mouse and it's $54.95. Newegg has it for $59.99 plus $8.50 shipping! What's up with that??? Newegg is supposed to be less expensive than brick and mortar. Oh well. Guess they're getting too big for their britches. >> 3) USB connector. It took some doing, but my keyboard now works in my BIOS >> and boot menu. Normally I prefer PS/2 so I don't have to worry about the >> device negotiation, but in this case USB has not been a (lasting) problem. >> >> 4) It's not super cheap. The keyboard and mouse combo cost about $50, but >> that was a real deal. Yes, it was. And I'm afraid I can't find that deal anymore. 80(> >> Another wireless set that I have bought several of, is the Logitech EX110. >> You should be able to get it for $30, and it's a good basic setup. There >> is also an EX100 in the same range, but I like the 110 a little better. > > One expansion on my comments: I DO like the wireless mouse. Not having > to fight the cord is worth more than I had previously thought. Thanks for replying! I was indeed looking over the Logitech offerings. I've typed on their keyboards before and they're pretty nice. In particular, I'm looking at the two Logitechs I mentioned above. You've pushed me even more in that direction. -- John Corliss
From: John Corliss on 28 Jan 2010 14:55 kony wrote: > John Corliss wrote: >> >> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard >> like this one: >> >> http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-00001-Multimedia-Keyboard/dp/B00006D2LI >> >> except it's black and white instead of blue and white. Lately, the keys >> have been sticking and no amount of cleaning the board (I disassemble it >> and throw the top part in a solution of Tide and water) will make the >> keys work smoothly again. Besides, I'm sick and tired of having to turn >> the thing on (press the "F Lock" button every time I start up the >> computer) so that I can simply get normal function out of my function >> keys. Another dislike I have always had for the keyboard is that I have >> to install and use Microsoft Intellitype in order to be able to >> configure the special keys to do the things that I want them to. >> Intellitype sucks up a little over 19 mb of my system's pitiful 512 mb >> of ram (I'm a low-bucks hippie). >> >> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has >> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource >> overhead to configure them. >> >> Can anybody recommend something? TIA > > Considering the issue of software bloat, you might try the > oldest version, or at least an older version, that works on > your choice of operating system. I would expect more and > more new keyboard drivers to be designed with little concern > for how much memory they use, since memory has become quite > inexpensive, but generally MS does seem one of the worst in > taking liberties to the extent that a system becomes slow... > so you buy another one, which comes with a new windows > licen$e. Thanks for replying. Yes, I considered going to an earlier version of Intellipoint, but the latest version has a feature for this keyboard I would not like to lose, being able to set the function keys to their default settings. Also, my main problem is that the keys on this old board are starting to stick when I press down on them, the lettering is getting worn off of the keys and the palm rest is barely held on anymore. Time for a new keyboard. I would never have chosen a Microsoft keyboard in the first place just out of spite. It's what came with this computer. It's looking like a Logitech might be what I'm looking for. -- John Corliss
From: John McGaw on 28 Jan 2010 17:06 On 1/28/2010 2:50 PM, John Corliss wrote: > Grinder wrote: >> Grinder wrote: >>> John Corliss wrote: >>>> >>>> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard >>>> like this one: snip... > > This is exactly the experience I've been having! The latest version of > Intellitype allows you to set the function buttons to their default > settings, but there's a delay when you use them that's more than a > little annoying. The result is that most likely you'll go back to > turning on the F-Lock button. > > It almost seems like social engineering on MS's part. I notice that a > lot of keyboard manufacturers have taken to similar 2 column layouts > above the arrow keys instead of the standard three columns of keys that > you used to see more commonly. > >>> I'm now using a Logitech Wave, but there are several things about it you >>> might not like: >>> >>> 1) Special software to make the extra function keys work. I suspect this >>> is the deal for any keyboard with more than the basic keys. SetPoint >>> takes >>> up about 11MB on my Win7-64bit system. > > Well, that's still a little less than Intellipoint. My biggest problem > right now is that I'm having a hard time typing on this keyboard because > the keys are sticking as I press down on them. > >>> 2) It's wireless. That's not a feature I care about. In fact, I would >>> prefer not to have to buy the batteries. I do like the keyboard, though, >>> and the wireless version for some reason was a lot cheaper than the >>> wired >>> version, and, it came with a mouse. > > Office Depot has the wired version here: > > http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/618375/Logitech-104-Key-Wave-Keyboard/ > > > and it's $50.99. > > They also offer the wireless version, but without a mouse and it's > $54.95. Newegg has it for $59.99 plus $8.50 shipping! What's up with > that??? Newegg is supposed to be less expensive than brick and mortar. > Oh well. Guess they're getting too big for their britches. > >>> 3) USB connector. It took some doing, but my keyboard now works in my >>> BIOS >>> and boot menu. Normally I prefer PS/2 so I don't have to worry about the >>> device negotiation, but in this case USB has not been a (lasting) >>> problem. >>> >>> 4) It's not super cheap. The keyboard and mouse combo cost about $50, >>> but >>> that was a real deal. > > Yes, it was. And I'm afraid I can't find that deal anymore. 80(> > >>> Another wireless set that I have bought several of, is the Logitech >>> EX110. >>> You should be able to get it for $30, and it's a good basic setup. There >>> is also an EX100 in the same range, but I like the 110 a little better. >> >> One expansion on my comments: I DO like the wireless mouse. Not having >> to fight the cord is worth more than I had previously thought. > > Thanks for replying! I was indeed looking over the Logitech offerings. > I've typed on their keyboards before and they're pretty nice. In > particular, I'm looking at the two Logitechs I mentioned above. You've > pushed me even more in that direction. > You can get the Logitech Wave for $26 if you are willing to take a refurb: http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=9897 Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3283073&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB55bETCjCVqHCjCdwwp That link probably wrapped very badly but I'm sure you can figure out what to do with it.
From: John Corliss on 28 Jan 2010 21:59 John McGaw wrote: > John Corliss wrote: >> (big snip) >> Thanks for replying! I was indeed looking over the Logitech offerings. >> I've typed on their keyboards before and they're pretty nice. In >> particular, I'm looking at the two Logitechs I mentioned above. You've >> pushed me even more in that direction. > > You can get the Logitech Wave for $26 if you are willing to take a refurb: > > http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=9897 > > Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30: > > http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3283073&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB55bETCjCVqHCjCdwwp > > That link probably wrapped very badly but I'm sure you can figure out > what to do with it. Thanks very much for those links. They both allowed me to have a closer look at the key layout on the Wave. I can see now that it's not what I'm looking for since there are no configurable special keys. Back to the drawing board I guess. -- John Corliss
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