19.8 Our Picks
The
choice of keyboard is, above all, a personal matter, but unless you
have very strong preferences you'll probably find
one of the following keyboards suitable. Here are the keyboards that
we use and recommend:
- Standard keyboard
-
Microsoft Internet Keyboard, Office Keyboard,
or MultiMedia Keyboard. If you want a standard straight
keyboard, one of these models should suit you. The Internet Keyboard
and MultiMedia Keyboard are PS/2-only. The Office Keyboard connects
with PS/2 or USB. Barbara uses one or another of these standard
keyboards on all of her systems (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard).
- Ergonomic keyboard
-
Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite or Natural
MultiMedia Keyboard. You'll either love
or hate these "melted" keyboards.
Robert loves them; Barbara hates them. The Natural MultiMedia
Keyboard uses the PS/2 interface. The Natural Keyboard Elite uses the
PS/2 or USB interface. Robert uses one or another of the Natural
Keyboard models on his primary office systems.
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Some say that getting used to the Natural Keyboard layout takes a
long time. That was not Robert's experience. He is a
touch typist, and became completely comfortable with the Natural
Keyboard in less than an hour. He uses Internet Keyboard models on
some of his test-bed systems and switches back and forth without
difficulty. The major adjustment is that the Natural Keyboard errs in
putting the 6 key above and to the right of the T key, where it must
be struck with the left index finger. Touch typists learn to strike
the 6 key with the right index finger, and the change is a bit
disconcerting at first.
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- Cordless keyboard (short-range)
-
Microsoft Wireless Optical series.
If your keyboard cord gets in the way, you like to work with the
keyboard in your lap, or you need a cordless keyboard for your den or
living room entertainment system, one of these Microsoft Wireless
Optical keyboards may be just the thing. Microsoft makes various
models in standard and ergonomic layouts, and either PS/2 or PS/2 and
USB interfaces. Each includes a wireless optical mouse.
- Keyboard-Video-Mouse (KVM) switches
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See Chapter 16.
For our most recent detailed recommendations by brand and model,
visit: http://www.hardwareguys.com/picks/keyboards.html.
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