Kensington Ci70 Wired Keyboard with USB Ports, Mini-USB Connector (K64396US) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm a pretty fast typist but the one thing I kept hearing while I was typing at home was "Why are you typing so loudly?" Hey, it wasn't me, it was just the keyboard responding to my fingers flying over the keys. I've always, for the most part, used an Apple keyboard hooked up to my Macs. You know, the big, almost sounds like a typewriter, keyboards.

Now when I purchased and started to use my new MacBook in January, there were no longer any complaints of my banging the keyboard to death. Why, maybe because of the change in the keyboard style from the larger keys to the shorter, chicklet-like, keys on the MacBook. So when the chance came around to get a new Kensington Keyboard, with added USB ports, for my regular desktop Mac, I couldn't resist.

Kensington's new Ci70 keyboard (wired) provides the user with a smaller footprint than most of the other keyboards. The keyboard has been reduced in size by 35% and presents a lower and much more laptop-like keyboard for the user. The keyboard is very lightweight, comes only in black and typing is easy and enjoyable. One thing you have got to know from the start, Kensington decided that one model fits all, so the keyboard also has Window keys (or to a PC user, it has Mac keys) and it has also been tweaked to prevent any wasted space. If you take a look at the picture below, you'll get a good idea of what I'm talking about in regards to there not being an inch of wasted space.



Here's the other interesting point of Kensington's Ci70 keyboard... they've added USB ports to the keyboard. I know, even Apple has USB ports on their keyboards. But Kensington's keyboard, besides the two standard USB ports (one on top, one on the back) also has a mini-USB cable that hides on the top of the keyboard under a sliding cover that permits a digital camera user to hook up directly to the keyboard without having to go searching for their USB cable to hook up and download pictures. Kensington has put the cable right up on top for you to hook up, download, disconnect and then continue with whatever you were typing.

Under the same sliding cover, you will also find five control buttons that, from left to right, permit one to open up their CD/DVD drive, conduct a search of their Mac, open up the default email program, open up the default web browser, and finally, open up iTunes, or whatever your default music app is. Speaking of iTunes, Kensington also has five controls on the right side of the keyboard, right above the number pad, allowing you to start/pause your music app, move up and down your playlist and finally, raise or lower your volume.
As you can see above, the keyboard presents a very low profile. There are two small feet on the back of the keyboard to raise up the board, but it will no be well off the desk. However, I found it very easy to get used to and it did not present a problem at all.

Using the keyboard is great, it produces very little key noise. (scissor-key mechanism) Once you get used to the compressed keyboard, you'll really enjoy it. The one thing that threw me for a loop was the fact that there is no Caps Lock indicator. I thought maybe I had a bad keyboard so I checked. It seems the caps lock function was intentionally left out in the keyboard's design of a 35% smaller footprint. Once you get by that, unless you're typing in a password and you've inadvertently now gone into Upper case and you can't access what you need, it's okay and not a big deal. Hooking up a camera to the mini-USB cable is fast and simple, just be aware it's only five inches long so it will be close to your keyboard or on the top portion. I encountered no problems with syncing my iPod to my Mac. All in all, a great little keyboard.

So to review:
Pro: Easy to use, Mac/PC compatible, low profile, reduced size, provides 2 USB ports and one mini-USB cable. Looks good. Keyboard size: L 16.0" x W 7.0" x H 0.25"-1"
Cons: The only problem that I had with the keyboard was the lack of a Caps Lock indicator. (You'll adjust to it)

Warranty: Kensington 5-Year Warranty and free technical support.

Highly recommended!
My Mac rating: 4 out of 5

Click Here to see more reviews about: Kensington Ci70 Wired Keyboard with USB Ports, Mini-USB Connector (K64396US)

Product Description:
The keyboard with connections!The Kensington Ci70 Keyboard has two built-in USB 2.0 ports and a mini-USB connector to help you sync your digital photos, videos and music. The sleek, low-profile design fits into your life while also optimizing your space.Subtleupgrades make all the difference, including soft-touch keys that offer a crisp, responsive touch for added comfort, and a sliding door that offers a nice, finished look. PC and Mac Compatible. In Black.

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Dell Slim USB Keyboard sk-8115 DJ331 L100 104 Keys Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not a big fan of Dell, but I'll have to admit Dell's really hit a home run with this one. With its minimalist design, the Dell L100 USB Keyboard is unpretentious and exudes a trim and clean-cut aesthetic appeal - a welcome departure from what seems to the norm for most keyboards designs these days: keyboards that are oversized and crammed with superfluous functions that most people simply have little or no use for. It is ultra compact and lightweight and, more importantly, it works flawlessly. If you're looking for a no-frills keyboard, I think you'll be pretty happy with this one.

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Product Description:
Genuine Dell Slim Thin USB 104-Key Keyboard For Desktop and Notebook Systems. Part Number: RT7D50, SK-8115, J4628, DJ331, W7658.

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Logitech Internet 250 Desktop Vista Keyboard and Mouse Review

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(More customer reviews)I was very pleased with this purchase. I wanted a keyboard and mouse that connected via PS/2 (old style plugs) instead of USB. The keyboard is well constructed and attractive without all the "bells & whistles" that I would not use anyway. The mouse also performs well and feels very comfortable in your hand. I have had good luck with quite a few Logitech products. If you want an excellent "no frills" keyboard and mouse which utilize the PS/2, plug type connection to free up your USB ports for other peripherals, I would highly recommend this product. It gets "two thumbs up" from me!

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Product Description:
The usage of computers has never been higher since the computer revolution in the 1980s. Over the past 10 years, the personal computer has entered firmly in corporations and homes. Logitechs dedication to serving each user is nicely displayed in the new Logitech Deluxe 250 Desktop. Simple in designed, the keyboard conveniently incorporates overlay ready F-row keys with everyday useful spill resistant drain holes. The Desktop offering also consists of a best selling Logitech Optical Mouse to enhance durability with design. Extremely comfortable to type with conservative design, the Deluxe 250 Desktop is perfect for any PC.

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Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 with USB Port (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was looking for, ideally, an ergonomic keyboard with soft touch. Unfortunately after reading many of the reviews here on Amazon, it seemes to me that the two are mutually exclusive. (One of the most common complaints of ergonomic keyboards is that several keys either stick or require a harder-than-normal keypress.) I was also thinking of getting a freestyle solo keyboard, but most of them don't have the ten-key number pad, which is required for both my work and recreation. So I went in to Office Depot and checked out a bunch of the keyboards. My absolute favorite for softness of touch and shortness of keystroke was the Kensington Ci73:

Kensington Ci73 Wired Keyboard, Low Profile Design (K64397US)

Unfortunately many of the reviews I've read of this product describe total failure from within days to weeks. Even with all of the positive reviews the Kensington received, I wasn't willing to make a purchase with such a high chance of needing to be returned. Also, I prefer not to use wireless devices, as I don't want to risk signal loss (which at best is annoying, and at worst can get you killed in your favorite MMO).

The Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 was my second choice among the available keyboards. I bought one for home use last night and used it all evening with absolutely no pain in my hands or wrists at all. I came into work this morning and within an hour of using my work keyboard my wrists were hurting again, so I bought one for work too. It's extremely comfortable and I have no pain at all. It's also very quiet. The mouse click is a little louder than the normal HP or Dell mice but it's not terrible. Also the scroll-wheel is a little stiffer. I may go back to my old mouse, but the keyboard alone is worth the price!

The only warnings I have about this keyboard is for gamers: The ESC and Function keys are not like the normal letter and number keys, they're smaller and have a different key-press structure. As such, I highly recommend getting familiar with exactly how the escape key needs to be pushed *before* you get in a situation where you're mashing it because you just accidentally queued up a power that you didn't mean to. It's not difficult, it's just different, and you want to pay attention the first couple of times.

Also, the number pad zero key is lower (as is every key, since the whole keyboard is lower profile), which means if you're used to hitting number pad zero with your thumb, you'll need to do a tiny bit of adjusting there. (For perspective, I usually use the first joint in my thumb to hit the zero key, but now because it's lower I have to use the fleshy part of my thumb. Like I said it's not difficult, it's just a very small adjustment.)

I am extremely happy with this keyboard, it's so wonderful to be able to type without pain. Someone asked me if there was really that much of a difference with the soft touch, and YES, there definitely is! My previous work-keyboard didn't even seem all that stiff, but when compared to this keyboard the difference is noticeable. And of course, the most noticeable difference is that there's NO PAIN.

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Product Description:
optical tracking technology mouse, quiet touch keys, integrated water channels, Start button key for Vista, Calculator Hotkey and Media Hotkeys, USB-Connected Devices

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Logitech Desktop MK120 Mouse and keyboard Combo (920-002565) Review

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(More customer reviews)Love the keyboard for its classic design. No more useless fluff like copy and paste buttons, playback buttons, browser... email buttons etc.
The keys are at the right size and shape, no more irregular over sized or shrunk keys.

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Product Description:
With a comfortable, quiet keyboard that's sleek yet sturdy and a high-definition optical mouse, the durable logitech desktop mk120 brings comfort, style and usb simmplicity together.

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