There's perhaps nothing more essential to a happy computing experience than a great keyboard. Whether your machine is of the desktop or laptop variety, a solid, full-size clacker will make writing papers, designing flyers, or just getting around the Web significantly faster and more comfortable. Some keyboards take the "lighter is better" approach in terms of the keys, while in recent years, "clicky" models, reminiscent of those chunky IBM keyboards of yore, seem to be all the rage with more and more manufacturers. And nothing cleans up a cluttered desktop more than a wireless keyboard. Go with what feels best to you: As with a pair of eyeglasses, you'll be using your keyboard every day, so it's worth an investment. Your hands will thank you.
Apple Keyboard
One of our favorite all-around keyboards, Apple has really nailed it with the feel of its latest model, which comes in both wired ($49)and wireless Bluetooth versions ($79). Taking its cues from the MacBook laptop line, the keys have just the right amount of resistance, letting your fingers glide easily across them as you type. Unfortunately, the wireless version lacks a number pad and the two USB ports of its wired cousin, but it should be noted the smaller footprints make it a better fit if your desktop is short on space. They're both superb choices (but only if you have a Mac, really), and recall the feel of the MacBook keyboards ... with more space for your fingers to get around.
Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 7000
Microsoft's midpriced offering, the Wireless Laser Desktop 7000, is solidly constructed and extremely quiet to the touch. Some oddities, however, muddy the experience: Why are the Z and Ctrl keys smaller than the rest (particularly the latter, which gets used all the time)? And if you're trying to hit Ctrl-Z... well, forget about it. It has tons of extra dedicated buttons for controlling your e-mail, music, and other software, and the "Favorites" buttons can each be tied to any location/file/Web site/etc by simply pushing on it for a second or so. The included mouse is actually a downside, since it's awkward and laggy, and you're effectively paying for something you won't want to use when you buy the keyboard.
Razer's Lycosa gaming keyboard has a great rubber-coated keys, which provide a soft touch whether you're typing or firing semiautomatic virtual weapons. The backlighting on the keys is great for late-night computing sessions (you can even switch between three backlight configurations via a touch-sensitive control pad), and the customization options are extensive. Still, there are some downsides: It requires two USB inputs on your computer to connect (along with separate audio inputs if you want to plug in your own headset and mic), and yet itself has only one USB port to spare. Oh, and with the blue LED turned off, you're left with an almost illegible keyboard -- problematic if you're a daytime user.
Das Keyboard
The original Das Keyboard set itself apart because of its spectacular build quality and subversive, hacker-friendly minimalism: Not only did the keyboard do away with any unnecessary features (dedicated volume and e-mail buttons, and the like), it even did away with the most basic feature of all: letters on the keys. The Professional, thank goodness, adds back the latter, and like its blank cousin, is a great, clicky keyboard that exudes simplicity and quality, if nothing else. Marketed as the "best mechanical key switches available," the keys are composed of German-engineered, gold-plated key switches: You hear every click, but if you like that 'cause, say, motivates you, then this keyboard is hard to beat (it's challenged by the SteelSeries). The keys are easily removed and cleaned, and even those with a light touch will love the responsiveness. Plus, you gotta love the whole '80s-retro vibe of Das Keyboard, if that's your thing.
SteelSeries 7G gaming keyboard
This is a serious keyboard -- actually more serious than the Das, in some regards. The SteelSeries 7G gaming keyboard has the same feel as a semiautomatic weapon: In other words, it's probably the last keyboard you'll ever need to buy. You pay the price -- $150, to be exact -- but you can take solace in the fact that you'll definitely be okay if you ever need to use your keyboard as a weapon. And though it's not exactly big on features, it has the important ones: headphone, microphone, and (two) USB ports on the back left side. The keys are "no-click", but that doesn't mean it's not loud: These are big, chunky keys and they make some noise.
Logitech Wireless DiNovo keyboard
If you're looking for stylish, but more feature-heavy (and PC-compatible), alternative to the Apple keyboard, then Logitech's DiNovo is a great choice (granted, for twice the price). With both Mac and PC versions available (each with hotkeys for its respective OS-specific applications and features), it also has custom music playback controls, an on-board mini-trackpad, and even a cool touch-sensitive a volume slider. Like the Apple keyboard, there's no number pad, and the tradeoff for its solid build quality is that it takes up a decent amount of desk space. It comes with a cool docking station for recharging (about once a month), and it's easily one of the best-looking of the bunch. Recommended.
Phantom Lapboard
Long delayed, the Phantom Lapboard is finally available: It's a combination of a wireless keyboard, a laser mouse and a hard, flat surface that makes it possible to play games or work from your sofa. As the name implies, this "lapboard" is designed to sit on your lap: The keyboard sits at an angle, leaving room for your mouse underneath. It's a great idea, but what's disappointing is that after years and years of delays, the execution is flawed: The mouse feels cheap, and the keyboard lacks backlit keys. Still, we like that it's able to rotate 360 degrees in any direction (helpful for left-handers), and the ability to store the included USB dongle inside the keyboard is nice. And while it's PC and Mac compatible, it remains a flawed attempt at reinventing the keyboard. It sure looks cool, though!
Optimus Maximus keyboard
If money is no object, we've got an object that will cost you plenty of money: the Optimus Maximus keyboard, which will set you back a cool $1600 (and no, that's not a typo). Why the steep price? Each key actually has its own OLED display, which can dynamically change to adapt to your desired keyboard layout, or to visualize the function of the keys. If you're using Final Cut Pro or Adobe Photoshop, for example, you can set it to show you which keys do what for that specific application. It's also super customizable: you change the background/foreground colors, and even turn it into a rainbow if you so desire. This is the future of computer interface and one of the coolest gadgets around ... and you can be assured you'll have the only one on the block.
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