|
Dan Daily and The "Dan Daily" Sites presents Living With Your Computer The Inner Circle! To go to the Main Tips Site; Click Here For A Printer Friendly Version of this Page; Click Here
To stop the music, click the stop button below.
Don't Forget To Check Out The Store! Click--Here
Hey Gang, the Members sites are over 30 times the size as these free sites. I have much, much more then just computer tips! Membership includes the free "Danny's Gold" CD! Check it out: Click Here
A Cordless Keyboard? Written by: Dan Daily
Hi Gang! Something a little different today. This past March, I finally upgraded my keyboard. I wanted it to have a few months of use under it's belt before I wrote about it. Well, it's been a few months...
So, Let's Go! .
Why a Cordless? The fact that the keyboard is cordless, actually had nothing to do with my decision in buying it. I use an ergonomic keyboard. There are many names for it such as; a curved keyboard, a cultured keyboard, a split keyboard and Microsoft calls their's a "natural" keyboard. The curved keyboard is my keyboard of choice and I've been using one somewhere around 20 years. In fact, the same one. Really, my old keyboard still works fine. Some of the letters have worn off the keys, but other then that, it's great. It's gone through somewhere around 8 computers! Actually, I bought two and never needed the other one. It's still brand new in the box. LOL Why change it? Simple, it's white. My whole system is black and it looked stupid sitting there. Call me vain... I bought my original from "Computer City" when Radio Shack still had them in business. At the time, 80 dollars was very pricey for a keyboard, but obviously, I got what I paid for. LOL One thing: Once you get used to a curved keyboard, you'll NEVER use anything else again in your life. They are that comfortable. Really! Carpal what? When I work on someone's machine, I take a curved keyboard with me. No lie...
What To Buy I had a serious dilemma here. Where do you find a black curved keyboard? You don't... Curved keyboards were very popular for a while, but now, the Microsoft Natural, is about the only one I see anymore. I won't buy Microsoft peripherals so I was up a tree. Besides, the Microsoft isn't black either.
Logitech Through the years, I've found only one brand that is always consistent in quality for peripherals. And that's Logitech. All my peripherals are Logitech: My mouse, my force feedback joystick and my game pad. I thought maybe I should visit their web site and there is was: The Logitech cordless "Comfort Dual" keyboard and mouse.
The "Comfort Dual" Logitech has many different cordless keyboards and most come with cordless mice. The Comfort Dual is no exception. But, I can't review the mouse because I threw it away. I threw away a brand new cordless laser mouse? You bet: As you all know, I use the Logitech MX-700 cordless 8 button mouse and NOTHING can compete with that. (See my article: "The Ultimate Mouse") So it didn't even try: In the garbage the Comfort Dual's mouse went. I never even put the batteries in it. LOL For you folks that use flat keyboards, Logitech just came out with the "MX Cordless Dual." It has their best selling Elite keyboard with the MX-700 mouse! Check it out at Logitech: Click Here
The Comfort Keyboard Had me worried. I had to buy it site unseen from techdepot.com because no one stocks it. And, it's 99 dollars! Not cheap by any means, but neither was my other one. What could I do? I threw my faith in Logitech and trusted them on this one. My trust was not misplaced: This is an excellent keyboard! It has a nice crisp action, not too tight (I don't like tight actions) and you can put it in your lap. You can put your feet up, put the keyboard in your lap, put the mouse on your leg and you're good to go. It is something being all cordless, I can tell you that. And, cleaning the desk is a breeze!
Software Extras Generally, I don't run software extras for hardware because it's "another" program running that eats resources. The mouse didn't bother me because you always have to have one anyway, but for the keyboard? Hmmm, OK, I'll try it but I'm sure I won't like it... Well gang, I tried it and am still running it. The software allows you to use the little extra buttons on the keyboard. There's one for mail, push it and AOL fires up, goes on line, and opens your mailbox. Wow. Really kewl. There's also a up, down and mute volume control and it works! Really nice. And the topper? A full CD player control for when you listen to music, and it works! Sold me... If you click on the tray icon, a little screen pops up telling you if "Caps," "Num Lock" and "Scroll Lock" are on. Also, is a picture of a pair of batteries to show you how much juice is left in them. Very nice!
Speaking of the Batteries This is the reason I delayed the article: The batteries aren't rechargeable and the keyboard can't be turned off. I wanted a true handle on how long they'd last before I wrote about it. It uses 2 double A's. (included) Well, it's been three months and the meter shows them about 2/3rd's full! And you all know how much I type! Excellent battery life!!! I wanted three months and I got it! Update: The next set is at 6 months and still going strong! You can see little ways Logitech went to extend the life of them. No lights on the keyboard for one: While it takes some getting used to, they put the lights on the keyboards little receiver instead of on the keyboard itself. A fair trade off because she has on screen displays anytime one would turn on anyway.
Conclusion Although you can get keyboards for as low as 15 dollars. Those of us that have been on computers for any length of time, won't use them. And, other then Compaq, factory keyboards are usually just junk. Perhaps they don't expect us to use them anyway. I don't know, but I do know this: The keyboard and the mouse are the most used, most important interface between you and your computer. Cheapo's don't even make sense. The longevity of my old keyboard is proof why.
The Logitech Comfort Dual keyboard: "This Guy's In Love With You!" I Highly Recommend It!
I hope this helps you on your road. Your Road? Yes, Your Road To Computer Sanity Danny |
