Comments on: Kensington SlimType Keyboard Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/05/12/kensington_slimtype_keyboard_review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:27:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Matt http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/05/12/kensington_slimtype_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-21410 Matt Tue, 17 May 2005 22:23:04 +0000 #comment-21410 This DEll is just what I have been looking for. Love the idea of usb in the keyboard. thanks :) This DEll is just what I have been looking for. Love the idea of usb in the keyboard.

thanks :)

]]> By: karrock http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/05/12/kensington_slimtype_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-21409 karrock Fri, 13 May 2005 20:43:31 +0000 #comment-21409 I myself don't like huge, heavy clickity-clackity IBM/Lexmark keyboards either, but I also don't favor the cramped ultra-low profile, short keystrokes of those attached to notebooks. My preference is somewhere in between, with computers I've built having anything from $5 computer show throw-aways to $100 wireless Logitechs. And given a preference for daily use I love my Logitech Elite and Cordless Desktop Duo (but tire of dealing with batteries). The Bluetooth Logitech DiNovo looks mighty interesting, but I can't justify the $250 price tag to myself (and it has ultra-low profile notebook keys). Being a compact, the Dell "Performance USB Keyboard" has a noticibly smaller footprint than a full size keyboard, and has membrane-based key switches instead of notebook scissor-type. Keystrokes are relatively quiet and don't sound off any overly mechanical clicks when typing. The latest version has been redesigned slightly and I actually prefer the older one (which seems to have been discontinued very recently) sans volume knob. It has two USB ports along the top edge on the left and right sides, perfect for daisy chaining a mouse, but apparently doesn't provide enough power for a memory key. The main USB cable (a tad thicker than average) is over 6' long and permanently attached to the top center of the chassis, with no channels provided to route it off to either side. There are a row of Internet/audio hotkeys across the top for web browser Back, Forward, Home, Stop and Refresh functions as well as Volume Up/Down and Mute. The Dell packs up quite well with a smooth back/bottom (unless you count the huge Dell logo emblazoned upon it) and softly curved edges all around, which slips neatly behind my LCD display carry straps -- it's currently in use with my LAN-party Shuttle PC and Mac Mini (which recognizes some but not all of the hotkey functions). Two small rubber pads at the bottom front prevent it from slipping across your desktop and two flip-out legs at the top back prop it up to adjust typing angle. My biggest gripe is their decision to vertically orient the six keys in the Page Up/Page down cluster instead of the defacto 3x2 horizontal standard. Retails for about $30 and can be found for considerably less if it's still in stock. The "old" Dell Performance USB Keyboard <a href="http://www.directron.com/dellsk8125.html">http://www.directron.com/dellsk8125.html</a> <a href="http://us.st7.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/directron_1843_22195674">http://us.st7.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/directron_1843_22195674</a> The "new" Dell Performance USB Keyboard <a href="http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-3157&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=5840&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx">http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-3157&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=5840&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx</a> I myself don’t like huge, heavy clickity-clackity IBM/Lexmark keyboards either, but I also don’t favor the cramped ultra-low profile, short keystrokes of those attached to notebooks. My preference is somewhere in between, with computers I’ve built having anything from $5 computer show throw-aways to $100 wireless Logitechs. And given a preference for daily use I love my Logitech Elite and Cordless Desktop Duo (but tire of dealing with batteries). The Bluetooth Logitech DiNovo looks mighty interesting, but I can’t justify the $250 price tag to myself (and it has ultra-low profile notebook keys).

Being a compact, the Dell “Performance USB Keyboard” has a noticibly smaller footprint than a full size keyboard, and has membrane-based key switches instead of notebook scissor-type. Keystrokes are relatively quiet and don’t sound off any overly mechanical clicks when typing. The latest version has been redesigned slightly and I actually prefer the older one (which seems to have been discontinued very recently) sans volume knob.

It has two USB ports along the top edge on the left and right sides, perfect for daisy chaining a mouse, but apparently doesn’t provide enough power for a memory key. The main USB cable (a tad thicker than average) is over 6′ long and permanently attached to the top center of the chassis, with no channels provided to route it off to either side. There are a row of Internet/audio hotkeys across the top for web browser Back, Forward, Home, Stop and Refresh functions as well as Volume Up/Down and Mute.

The Dell packs up quite well with a smooth back/bottom (unless you count the huge Dell logo emblazoned upon it) and softly curved edges all around, which slips neatly behind my LCD display carry straps — it’s currently in use with my LAN-party Shuttle PC and Mac Mini (which recognizes some but not all of the hotkey functions). Two small rubber pads at the bottom front prevent it from slipping across your desktop and two flip-out legs at the top back prop it up to adjust typing angle. My biggest gripe is their decision to vertically orient the six keys in the Page Up/Page down cluster instead of the defacto 3×2 horizontal standard.

Retails for about $30 and can be found for considerably less if it’s still in stock.

The “old” Dell Performance USB Keyboard
http://www.directron.com/dellsk8125.html
http://us.st7.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/directron_1843_22195674

The “new” Dell Performance USB Keyboard
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=310-3157&c=us&l=en&cs=04&category_id=5840&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx

]]> By: Julie http://the-gadgeteer.com/2005/05/12/kensington_slimtype_keyboard_review/comment-page-1/#comment-21408 Julie Thu, 12 May 2005 22:22:21 +0000 #comment-21408 Post your comments here on the Kensington SlimType Keyboard review. <a href="http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/kensington-slimtype-keyboard-review.html">http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/kensington-slimtype-keyboard-review.html</a> Just click the POST REPLY button on this page. Post your comments here on the Kensington SlimType Keyboard review.

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