Looking for a good, cheap keyboard.

For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-.../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

--
John Corliss

On 1/28/2010 6:56 AM, John Corliss wrote:
For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-.../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. 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/pr...roducts_id=138
seems as if it would fit your requirements.

On 1/28/2010 5:56 AM, John Corliss wrote:
For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-.../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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:56:58 -0800, John Corliss
wrote:

For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-.../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.

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-.../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/pr...roducts_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

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-.../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 he

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...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

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-.../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

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 he

http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...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...oducts_id=9897

Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...TCjCVqHCjCdwwp

That link probably wrapped very badly but I'm sure you can figure out what
to do with it.

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...oducts_id=9897

Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...TCjCVqHCjCdwwp

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