The 'in' thing in today's keyboard design happens to be its ergonomics. Here are the choices.
People tend to be less finicky about keyboards. However, they do expect the keyboard layout to be simple; besides, the keys to be smooth and respond well to the strokes.
Keyboards like the Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 7000 is aimed at users of home theatres or Media Centre PCs. These wireless keyboards cram a lot of extra functionality, such as specialised media playback control keys and built-in pointing devices.
They often make trade-offs for that functionality. The compact size and extra control keys mean that one has to do away with the numeric keypad. Microsoft bundles the new keyboard with a Bluetooth mouse, and sells the package at around Rs 8,600.
The function keys, Esc key, and several other keys can take a little time getting used to. Also, the Windows key is now a blue Vista logo (at the bottom of the keyboard) and seems to be more accessible.
This way, the user does not end up pressing that key while hunting for the Ctrl or Alt keys. While there is no battery status indicator on the keyboard, there is one on the mouse that flashes when the power is low. It glows while charging and a charge pad is included too.
The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is well-built, littered with useful shortcut keys and dedicated media playback buttons.
Although the absence of a charger for the keyboard is annoying. It is best suited for those running a Windows Media Centre. If you are a fan of those crazy split keyboards or like notebook style keys, Microsoft's entertainment desktop 7000 could be your perfect keyboard.
Logitech's new Cordless Desktop Wave, on the other hand, sports a cleverly-designed key layout that gently angles wrists towards a less stressful typing position.
The first is that, as the name suggests, the keys are arranged along a wave-like pattern that ripples across the keyboard. This design is supposed to account for the fact that your fingers are not all the same length; thus the keys near your little fingers and your thumbs rise up to meet your shorter digits.
The other feature is the gradual arc of the key tray. The arc is not as prominent as Microsoft's Ergonomic Keyboard, but Logitech's design does not distort the basic size and shape of any of the main letter keys.
The keyboard is powered by a pair of AA batteries and Logitech claims the keyboard batteries can last up to 16 months. The bottom of the keyboard has a wrist rest that is padded with soft vinyl with little holes in it which is quite comfortable during use.
The mouse that is included with the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave is typical Logitech fare. That is to say, it feels good in the hand and has several buttons on it.
The design is ambidextrous and each side has one button that you can map to different functions in the driver software. At around Rs 1,950, it's an option for those who want to go that extra mile for an ergonomic keyboard.
Microsoft has rolled out the Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000, which combines the company's best selling wired keyboard, the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, with its latest ergonomic mouse, the Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000.
Both devices of the Natural Ergonomic Desktop borrow heavily from their standalone predecessors, sporting little or no difference at all, though the keyboard does come wireless in this latest version.
There is a split typing area and wavy design is what Microsoft calls a "gull wing" layout. The centre of the typing area is its highest peak, with a zoom button at the centre, just above the telephone-shaped Spacebar.
The keys slope down on both sides from the centre and level out around the Enter key on the right, and Caps Lock on the left. The keyboard's split design and sloped typing area promises to keep wrists straight without any sort of side bend like on a normal keyboard.
This could not be a welcome change for many users who haven't seen anything like this. In short, if you are a gamer, like the vast majority of home computer users these days, this keyboard is not for you even if the highstreet price is Rs 7,644.
