your thoughts on the Microsoft Office keyboard

[ucvb6]

hey all, been thinking about picking one of these up, but kinda expensive

wanted opinions from people using this keyboard.

thanks, here's a pic: keyboard

 

[nortexoid]

HUGE

the thing is bigger than my desk...does it doubly act as a desk and keyboard in one?

 

[yaethom]

Heh, I have one. Got one for 20 bucks... but he' right.

It is big but not as big as a desk. (yes I picked up ur sarcasm)
If you've seen the internet pro keyboard with the wrist rest (which I suggest u use) it is only slightly bigger.

I find the cut, copy, paste and back & forward buttons AMAZING. Cut copy and paste help soooo much.
The buttons on top aren't THAT impressive.... i don't use them that much since i set up my desktop to be really efficient.

A neat feature i like is that they split up the "F-keys" in groups of 3 rather than groups of 4. This makes it so much better for games since it is easier to feel for the specific F-key you want.

Another nice addition is the "undo" and "redo" buttons. I guess its more effective if you do photo editing or something.

Oh and last but not least....
The whole set of keys above the arrow keys are rearranged in a way that makes it useful for work, but less useful for games.

They arragned it so that the delete button is bigger (which helps for work) and they took out the "insert" button and moved it above the number keypad. So when games use these keys and consider it a box of 3 X 2 keys, you run into problems since it is now a 5 buttons set, and vertically arranged. (I just reconfigure keys then).

Other than that, the key quality is the same as other microsoft keyboards. Soft, not silent but makes a noticeable pressing noise, and quite comfortable.
It IS big, but I also have a Sony 18" LCD to make up for that. But then again, if you compare it to other keyboards, it isn't that much bigger.

 

[AMDPwred]

I want one. I can only imagine how convienent that thing is.

 

[Ryan]

I was looking @ one of those to buy - they look great

 

[Crank]

If the size bugs you, Logitech makes a very similar keyboard that is smaller, and it's a bit cheaper. You can see it. Here I got one at Fry's for $30. Haven't had the time to get it all set up yet, but it's definitely a nice keyboard - only complaint is that while their Zero angle idea thingy is great for typing, it's not the best for games - kinda hard to use the arrow keys unless you put the wrist rest on, which increases the size.
Anyway, it's a good keyboard, but make sure you check it out before you bring it home.

 

[V00DOO]

Loves my Microsoft keyboard Pro.

 

[ucvb6]

well, i was at bestbuy today, and they had it on sale for $49.99 but you also get a $10 mail in rebate.

my thoughts are that the cut, copy, paster buttons are handy. BUT, the main thing i'am looking for is a keyboard that has volume adjustment buttons(so i can adjust the volume when playing Counterstrike w/o exiting the game) :Q

just not sure if i want to spend that much for a keyboard, even though their are lots of keyboards out their with volume buttons.
gonna keep searching for a good price
thanks for the helpful input

 

[stingbandel]

Microsoft Office Keyboard is nice but too bad it's not wireless while Logitech one is wireless. If both of them wireless, I would take the Microsoft one over the Logitech one.






Darno

 

[Comp625]

Isn't there a program (called MacroKeyboard or something) that lets you assign different functions to certain keys that you don't use often? For instance, you can assign the key "F1" to launch your game. Maybe you can use it to execute smaller tasks within a program.

 

[gogeeta13]

Get the MS natural pro, it is so so good!!

I use all the hot keys regularly, they work great for winamp..

And the Calculator and My Computer buttons above the numpad are wonderful!

 

[ucvb6]

the only problem with me getting the natural keybaord is that my typing is all screwed up. i heard that the natural keybaord is comfortable for users who know how to type correctly. is this true?

thanks

 

[gogeeta13]

<< the only problem with me getting the natural keybaord is that my typing is all screwed up. i heard that the natural keybaord is comfortable for users who know how to type correctly. is this true?

thanks >>



I was never that great of a typist, but the natural pro kinda forced me to keep my hands confined to their proper side of the keyboard. I can type much much better on any keyboard now.

 

[GrumpyMan]

Another vote for the natural pro. It's sturdy and has very useful hotkeys.

 

[przero]

The office keyboard is the way to go. It's big but the buttons on the left are a big plus to those of us that are left handed.

 

[Blueoak]

I don't know much about the extras on that keyboard, but I do like the feel of the keys on all the keyboards in the Microsoft Internet series. Logitech is my 2nd favorite brand.

 

[neuralfx]

heh 59$ for a keyboard .. and on top of that it has all that annoying extra buttons, and all that mess .. im sorry but me .. a 9$ keyboard to me is awesome, especially if it does NOT have that split-key ergonimic mess going on .. just my opinion ..
-neural

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

<< heh 59$ for a keyboard .. and on top of that it has all that annoying extra buttons, and all that mess .. im sorry but me .. a 9$ keyboard to me is awesome, especially if it does NOT have that split-key ergonimic mess going on .. just my opinion ..
-neural >>



i agree with the extra buttons, but ergonomic keyboards are awesome as long as you know how to type, and if you dont, they will teach you

I love mine, my hands are in a more relaxed position vs. a regular keyboard.