Don't Back Down

Since it's Christmas, that means many of you may be looking at new gadgets at this time of year, so I'm going to look at one of the most common - and perhaps the most disregarded - of all. The keyboard. Even though we use the lowly keyboard every day, we don't pay it nearly as much attention as we should. This is very likely the most important piece of our computer, yet it usually gets pushed behind just about everything else.

Over the years, I've worked with a huge number of keyboards. In the beginning there were those old beasts that came with the original IBM computers. Some people like them, but I have to say that I don't. They just don't work for me. I've used laptop keyboards. I've even used keyboards for mainframe and midrange computers. Today, I'm still searching for the ultimate keyboard. It might go on for a while. But here, I'll take a look at the last four that I've tried.

Somewhat interestingly, they are all from Microsoft. I find that interesting because Microsoft isn't really known as a hardware company. Yet in some regards they are making strides here (and I say that with a straight face). While a mouse from the boys in Seattle can go either way, their keyboards aren't bad at all.

It all started with the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro, sometime around 1998. I managed to snag one of these babies - probably from a co-worker - and it was then that I decided that I liked the somewhat natural shape of the keyboard. The layout at first was odd, but my hands quickly became used to it, and I was hooked. The only downsides were the rather massive footprint of the keyboard and the fact that it was white, a fact that meant after you had used it for any length of time it started turning a rather sickening shade of blackened hand-print. Functionally, it was nice, however.

Of course, we're in the computer age, so you can't expect something to last forever, and even less so if it's changing colors, and that meant that a new keyboard had to come along. The replacement for the Natural Keyboard Pro was the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. This model added a USB connector, rather than a PS/2 one, and a detachable riser rather than the molded kind that you couldn't get rid of, which allowed some customization. Also, the spread of the keys wasn't quite as extreme between the hands. As a bonus, it was black with silver accents, so it didn't suffer the same discoloration as the prior model. However, it had some other problems. Notably, the matte finish wore off. Also, the keys were a bit soft, and I found that I sometimes couldn't press the right ones, which meant it met with an early retirement.

The third keyboard in the line was the Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000. This keyboard was different for a number of reasons. The most notable was that it was my first wireless keyboard. Ultimately, this was also its downfall, because invariably, even after changing batteries for fresh ones, I would repeatedly receive messages about keyboard connectivity (this might have had to do with the location of the receiver). This was also my first keyboard bundle (it came with a wireless mouse), and it marked the point where the split halves of the keyboard came back together. It still had the curve to its keys, and it had a problem with losing some of the key markings, but for touch-typists, it wasn't altogether bad. I would have liked to keep using it, if it wasn't for that darned wireless aspect.

Unfortunately, almost every keyboard these days is wireless, which is a shame, both because you have to get batteries for them and because that means that there are very few wired keyboards to choose from. Most stores don't even bring out the wired models to let you see what they feel like - you have to dig for them underneath a shelf or something. So when I went to replace the 6000, I had to do some real searching.

I settled on the Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000, which was one of the lowest-priced keyboards I had purchased recently, but it seemed to meet my needs. It had the same general curve to it as the earlier keyboards (without the split-key design) and it was wired. I figured I would try it out, and if it didn't work, I wouldn't be out much - less than $20. Ultimately, the keyboard was nice, but I just couldn't get used to it, and I don't exactly know why. If you sit it on top of the 6000, the alpha keys are almost exactly the same size, but something is just off (or was for me), so I couldn't get used to it.

In the end, I went back to the Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000, because that was the best fit for me for the time being. I am actually testing a new keyboard as I write this, and I think I'll probably stick with it - but I need to give it a good run before I decide if it's the one for me (or not). A few more days and I'll give you a full recap.

To celebrate the season, however - and because I have nothing else to do with these keyboards that I'm currently not using - I'm planning to pass them along to you. First, a word of warning: Each of them has been used in some capacity or another, so they are not brand new. I am fairly certain that I don't have boxes (though I will do some digging after the holidays). Consider yourself warned - these are good for testing and checking out something new, but you probably don't want to use these as gifts!

So if you are interested in one of these keyboards, all you have to do is add a comment to this entry about your own keyboard experiences. It can be about a Microsoft keyboard or some other brand. That doesn't matter. You should also include the keyboard you're interested in. If there is more than one comment interested in a particular keyboard, I'll choose from those at random for a winner. Entries will be open until the end of 2007 (Eastern time).

There are three keyboards that I'll be passing along...

Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

In good shape, but some of the matte finish has been rubbed away and is now shiny and the "m" key has been nearly rubbed off.

Wireless Laser Desktop 6000

Includes keyboard and mouse, the keyboard has a few "shiny" spots and there is a small spot above the left arrow key where the silver has been rubbed away.

Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000

This is probably the best of the bunch, and shows very little wear at all.

The original Natural Keyboard Pro is, sadly, no longer with us. All keyboards are USB-only. Now get to sharing your experiences, and Merry Christmas!

Update: Just a reminder - please share some sort of experience - good, bad or indifferent - with keyboards, along with your keyboard request, and make sure your email is valid so you can be contacted after it's all over!