Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard
by Microsoft
|
List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
|---|
(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard
Customer Review: 5 YEARS AND GOING - (at $20 it's a no brainer)
Summary: 5 Stars
...5 years later.
KEYBOARD LAYOUT
The keyboard layout is normal. There is no oversized return key. There are many keyboards that can't get key layout right, amazingly. This one is just fine...and has extra keys that are actually quite useful - eg: Sleep, Log Off, Calculator, media keys STOP PLAY PAUSE NEXT PREV, volume +/-/mute. The zoom slider on left sucks. The favourite keys could be programmed to launch things, but they are kind of awkward.
KEY PRESS DEPTH
These keys do have some depth to pressing them, but more importantly the keys register key strokes at the right time. I almost never make any typing mistakes on this keyboard because the key press depth is moderate. It makes you to press the keys with confidence, rather than being scared of touching the surface of the keys. This is not to say that scissor laptop keys cause more typos, but this keyboard has a more durable confident feel to it, whereas you cant exactly bang laptop keys without fear of breaking something.
DURABILITY
I have spilt coffee, beer, water, red wine, cookie crumbs, in this keyboard, and been able to take it apart and wash it in the tub, put it back together and have every key work like brand new. Very durable.
HEALTH / SAFETY
After using it for 5 years, it's hard to think about switching keyboards as it would affect productivity. At the same time, this is a harsh keyboard, and very demanding with keystrokes. For a person that uses computers 6-12 hours a day, it makes sense to invest in something more comfortable and ergonomic that doesn't require so much effort to type.
SUMMARY
-Hardcore users, gamers, 12 hour a day typists...Invest in something nicer.
-Need to replace a keyboard without spending another 50-100 bucks? Casual user? Order one of these.
Customer Review: After 2 years of use, the verdict is in: excellent, well-designed, durable
Summary: 5 Stars
This probably the best you are likely to get in keyboards within the $10-20 price range. I've been using one of these for almost 2 years now in my little home office and, 2 years later, it's still as good as new - it hasn't failed me once.
Personally, I have no use for the extra dedicated keys but, I just verified that pressing the 'calculator' button conveniently located right above the numeric keypad does bring up the little Microsoft Calculator (I am using Vista), the 'Web/Home' button calls my default browser (Chrome, not IE) and the 'Mail' button opens my default email client. Additional buttons are for documents, pictures, music. You also get speaker control buttons and video playback controls (play/pause, stop, fast forward and back).
Overall, I am impressed with the built quality. I am a fast touch typist and, for me, it's hard to improve on this one. I tend to type as I think words and I am rarely aware of the keyboard's existence as my fingers are allowed to do the talking and they can do it undisturbed on this keyboard because all keys are exactly where they are supposed to be.
Additional details: connects to the computer via a USB interface. There are 5 'My favorites' keys that I never used but it's good to know that they are there. Comes with a removable hands rest and... that's just about it.
If you are in the market for an inexpensive, rather large, typist-friendly keyboard that also has some frills then this is what you want. And this comes from someone who is not exactly a Microsoft fan.
I wish I could think of some reason to take out one star or two but, given the price, I can't. It's an easy 5-star.
Customer Review: Glad to see this keyboard is still being made
Summary: 5 Stars
I've owned a couple of these keyboards since they first came out. The one I use on a daily basis more or less gave up the ghost today when I accidentally dropped something on it and one of the legs broke off. It still works fine: I just don't like typing on it when it is flat on the work surface. Oh - and all the letters have rubbed off the left side of the keyboard. Other than that, it's still as good as it was when I first started using it about four years ago.
Happily it is still being made and I will have a replacement within a couple of days.
A production run of four years says everything that can be said about this keyboard: it works and works well.
From my perspective, it is the best keyboard out there and strongly reminds me of the keyboards on the old IBM Selectrics, which were themselves a slice of Heaven.
Key spacing is perfect for my relatively large hands and the key throw is also perfect for a guy who basically pounds the keyboard. As I said, the one I have now has been subjected to daily use for four years and works perfectly.
Overall, the ergonomics on this keyboard are terriffic. I know Microsoft puts a lot of effort into the design of their mice and keyboards and it really shows here. The detachable palm rest is a great help when you are typing for hours. Again, Microsoft would not keep the product in production for four years if it didn't sell well.
And I am pleased that it is still available so I can replace my four-year old model. Though I don't often look at the keys while I am typing, it will be nice to have keys with letters I can see on it again.
Jerry
Customer Review: Love this keyboard!
Summary: 5 Stars
I ordered this keyboard back in 2005 and it's still going strong. Keys are somewhat firm, properly spaced, and relatively quiet, especially compared to the HP keyboard that originally came with my computer. I make much less typos with this keyboard than I did with all the others I've had. All the 'extras' buttons are easy to configure the way you wish, although I admittedly do not use them. LOL I agree with the other person who stated the zoom slider doesn't really work as well as you might think it should, but like the programmable buttons, I don't really use it anyways. One of the main features I like is the spacebar- shorter than on most other keyboards, but a little wider. You'll get used to that very quickly, no worries. :) The spacebar is usually the first thing to mess up on my keyboards, but this one is still just fine. The wrist support is a bit flimsy and 'wiggly' but definitely functional, properly angled. The main body of my keyboard is a bit scratched from where it 'wiggles', but that's only a cosmetic thing, doesn't affect the performance of the keyboard itself.
Even if you're just looking for a quiet keyboard that doesn't strain your hands (I have carpal tunnel so this is a big plus for me), this one is well worth the price. We've recently acquired a computer for my office, and I'm definitely considering getting one of these to use at work. I'd rather pay my own money for this keyboard as to using the 'original' one that came with that computer.... that's how much I like this keyboard. :)
Customer Review: Great keyboard!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just bought this keyboard this weekend from Staples and it is awesome. The keys are very quiet compared to other keyboards and it has several features that are easy to set up and use. For example, it has a zoom bar on the left hand side so you can zoom in/out of pictures you are viewing. It can also be used when you are on a webpage to increase or decrease the font size. So if you are viewing a sight with the text too small, just push it forward a few times- the text gets bigger! It has favorite shortcut keys, media player buttons, and shortcuts for my docs, my pics, my music, mail, the internet, and your messenger choice. It also has a shortcut for the calculator, logoff, and sleep mode. It doesn't mtake much to open those programs up but it's just neat that you can press one button and it pops up just like that.
This keyboard is also good for beginners or older generations that didn't grow up with computers. It has helpful words under some of the keys that give you a hint of how to cut/copy/paste text and also how to bold, underline, and italicize your text.
The keyboard is definitely worth the money and as far as I've seen Amazon has the best price- and you come on, you can't beat the free shipping. Everyone should really be replacing their keyboard at least every year (a personal keyboard has more bad bacteria on it than what's on your toilet!) and this one is a great choice. I highly recommend it!