| I recently bought this keyboard to go along with a fancy ergonomic laptop stand. The stand puts the laptop screen at a reasonable height for use on a desktop -- that works great. The keyboard, however, is fairly awful, and I'm returning it.
I realize I shouldn't expect much for $20, but the keyboard has an exceptionally soft, mushy feeling. The "comfort type" slanted keys didn't get in my way, but they didn't help anything, either. The worst part about this keyboard, however, was that it uses a non-standard layout. Look closely at the right side -- the "enter" key is oversized, and the |\ key is moved below to accomodate it, with the consequence that the right shift key is miniaturized.
This, for a shell user or programmer, is awful. When you need to pipe something, or escape the next character, you really don't mean to be hitting return instead. And with the small right shift key, even typing properly with balanced use of the keyboard is difficult. This small design decision makes this keyboard terrible for heavy computer users like me.
| | Good product at great price |
| This Kensington keyboard has a good tactile feel from the keys that I enjoy - firm clicks but not annoyingly loud (this is NOT like the kind of keyboards that can be easily heard when typing while talking on the phone, for instance). The angled keys in the center of the QWERTY layout do take some getting used to, but once so, they are actually more comfortable to the natural angles of each wrist, allowing you to flex your elbows wider as opposed to keeping them close in to your ribs. I've been using it as a separate keyboard for a laptop PC, and the USB connection is fast, easy, and reliable. WinXP recognized the keyboard immediately without me having to install any drivers. A simple device for simple use.
| | I have been using the same Kensington comfort type keyboard at work for over 4 years, and I have to say it is the most durable and dirt-resistant keyboard I have used since the days of the old IBM clack-clack keyboards.
In regards to the negative reviews below, the PURPOSE of this type of keyboard is to be DIFFERENT. If you need a standard keyboard layout, this is not the keyboard to get. I am a writer, and I find the slightly reworked key layout delivers as promised. It is easier for me to work with than either a normal keyboard or those split keyboards (which are just too far out in left field for me). The touch of each key is solid and sure and, in addition to the changed layout, some keys are shaped diffferently for even greater tactile feedback for touch typing.
This is definitely a keyboard I would always want to use for my job.
| | I previously purchased the Wireless PilotBoard but returned it due to wireless interference. After much research, I wanted a black keyboard with soft keytouch and no noise. I decided to try Kensington again. I didn't need the Internet features on a keyboard so the 104 keys Comfort Type is closely standard. My fingers rest comfortably on the angled keys as if natural. I don't have to have my elbows close to my body. Only the main and function keys are angled. The number pad, arrows, and cursor position keys are not angled but is no disappointment. Lastly, I don't understand why the |\ key had to be re-arranged, the shift key shorten and the backspace key longer. It's a minor adjustment to make as a touch typist. Overall, I'm pleased with this keyboard.
| | Very comfortable keyboard |
| Due to finger joint discomfort, I have been looking for a while for a keyboard with a very light touch - meaning, little pressure necessary to depress the keys. Many laptop keyboards have this characteristic, but the Kensington SlimType keyboard that boasts laptop-style keys still requires more pressure than I am comfortable with to activate the key. This ComfortType keyboard is the most comfortable I have found, and as a result I have two - one for the office, one for home. The key shape has not been a problem at all. In fact, the distance between the lower and upper keys is closer than many, meaning less stretch/strain of the index fingers when reaching for, say, T and Y. I have had no trouble with repeating keys (having it send multiple keypresses when I intended one - eg "thhhhis is a tesst") or not registering keypresses.
My only complaint: I don't like the placement of the "\" key below the ENTER key (I'm used to it above ENTER and below BACKSPACE). Of course, that is one of those nonstandard keys that is subject to relocation on many keyboards.
Also, I'd love to have an optional "split" model, where the left and right halves of the keyboard could be rotated into line with the arm and wrist (ala some ergonomic keyboards).
I would have no reservations about recommending this keyboard.
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