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Introduction:::...
Though it's not something I'm proud of, many years sat at a PC monitor has done almost nothing to improve my typing skills, and as your typical "hunt and peck" typist I've worked my way through several keyboards, each time convinced that my lousy typing speed and accuracy was due to my last one and that the new one would make all the difference.
Obviously things rarely got much, if any, better, and I guess it slowly dawned on me that short of finding keys with embedded tractor beams, my fingers were always going to hit which ever key they wanted to irrespective of whether it was the right one or not.
Okay, so we know I'm no Mavis Beacon, that doesn't however mean I'll allow any old trash to grace my desk. I might not get the same benefits from a quality keyboard that a "real" typist would, but I've never been one to allow needs to get in the way of wants.
With this in mind, I want to look at two quite different keyboards from a company I feel sure many of you will have heard of, that company being KeySonic. On the scene since the early 90s, they've become associated more with the value end of the market than the prestige end, but not everyone sees value as a dirty word.
One of today's review candidates earns its stripes for being slim, compact and light, the other, slightly bigger keyboard has an entirely different party trick, it lights up!
Lets eye the specs.
Features - ACK-720 EL
- Ergonomically shaped illuminated keyboard in modern,
elegant aluminium design
- Keypad with blue illumination (electro luminescence)
which can be switched on and off
- Flat notebook keys in X-type membrane technology with
tactile feedback
- Blue status LEDs for Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll
Lock
- Plug & Play installation
- Ideal for poorly lit places of use, areas with modern
design requirements, presentation rooms etc.
- Available in various language-specific layouts
- Good-looking retail packaging
Technical Data
· Key count: 104–107 (according to locale)
· Construction: Notebook keys with “XType” technology
· Expected lifetime: 10,000,000 strokes per
key
· Compatibility: Win98/ME/2000/XP
· Interface: USB 1.1
· Cable length: 1.5 m (4'11")
Features - ACK-620WK
• Unbreakable aluminium keyboard
• Ultra-compact, ergonomic design
• USB connector
• Flat notebook-type keys
• “X-Type” technology for durability and
a pleasant, relaxing typing experience
• For any purpose where space is at a premium
• 5 hot keys for Internet applications and ACPI
• Blue status LEDs for Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll
Lock
• Compatible with Win 95/98/ME/NT 4.0/2000/XP
• Good-looking retail packaging
• Weighs only 400 grams (14.1oz)!
Technical Data
• Construction: Notebook keys with “XType” technology
• Cable length: 1.5m (4'11")
• Interface: USB 1.1
• Lifetime: 10,000,000 strokes per key
• Key count: 85
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