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The Box

Unlike the ACK-720 EL, the ACK-620WK comes with a driver CD allowing you set up the special function keys on non Windows ME/XP systems.

The Contents

Again we see the same type of brushed aluminium shell used, though this time the keys are a matching metallic silver colour, possible as they don't need to be translucent as they do on the ACK-720 EL.

The Keyboard

And again the rear of the keyboard is plastic rather than aluminium. The shape over to the left that resembles a battery cover is in fact just a shape in the casting.

The Keyboard

Identical feet are employed too, though because of the ACK-620WK lower weight and smaller size it would have been nice if these could have been equipped with rubber pads to help keep things from moving around.

The Keyboard Legs

A set of five special function buttons are lined up near the top edge of the keyboard covering, from left to right, starting your Web browser, starting your email client, opening "My Computer", sleep mode and power off mode.

Special Function Buttons

Above these buttons is a dark tinted panel behind which resides three blue status LEDs. From left to right these signify Number Lock, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock, though you'll have to remember which is which due to the total lack of any kind of visual clues.

Status LEDs

Here you can see the same 2mm or so of key travel, and the speckled, metallic-effect key finish.

The Keys

Remarkably, the majority of the keyboard is no more than 10mm thick!

Width

In Use:

Both keyboards proved to be very nice to use provided you've no objections in principle with the styling, type and layout of keys.

The space bar on either keyboard could be hit anywhere, including at the extreme edges, and it would travel and register precisely. Key chatter was minimal.

The EL keyboard does show every speck of dust, food, tobacco or what ever else might find its way between the keys so you may find it needs more cleaning unless you can turn a blind eye to it.

There was a VERY slight whine from the EL inverter but you'll probably not hear it unless you listen for it specifically.

Conclusion

The 3DVelocity 'Dual Conclusions Concept' Explained: After discussing this concept with users as well as companies and vendors we work with, 3DVelocity have decided that where necessary we shall aim to introduce our 'Dual Conclusions Concept' to sum up our thoughts and impressions on the hardware we review. As the needs of the more experienced users and enthusiasts have increased, it has become more difficult to factor in all the aspects that such a user would find important, while also being fair to products that may lack these high end "bonus" capabilities but which still represent a very good buy for the more traditional and more prevalent mainstream user. The two categories we've used are:

The Mainstream User ~ The mainstream user is likely to put price, stock performance, value for money, reliability and/or warranty terms ahead of the need for hardware that operates beyond its design specifications. The mainstream user may be a PC novice or may be an experienced user, however their needs are clearly very different to those of the enthusiast, in that they want to buy products that operate efficiently and reliably within their advertised parameters.

The Enthusiast ~ The enthusiast cares about all the things that the mainstream user cares about but is more likely to accept a weakness in one or more of these things in exchange for some measure of performance or functionality beyond its design brief. For example, a high priced motherboard may be tolerated in exchange for unusually high levels of overclocking ability or alternatively an unusually large heat sink with a very poor fixing mechanism may be considered acceptable if it offers significantly superior cooling in return.

The Mainstream User ~

Neat, stylish, durable and practical. If you don't mind the lack of row upon row of special buttons for this, dials for that and dual-purpose keys for the other, and have no objections to using notebook style short-stroke keys, then both keyboards fit the bill beautifully.

They sit low which makes them much more comfortable to use, and are lively and responsive in use. They'll probably also take a hammering from the kids too!

This style of keyboard isn't everyone's cup of tea, but for those who like them it's hard to fault either, though a text label on the tinted cover of the ACK-620WK explaining which LED is which would certainly have been welcomed.

ACK-720 EL:

	NA

ACK-620WK:

	NA

The Enthusiast ~

You normally have to make a choice between style and functionality, but this way you get both thrown in. Whether you just want a light and compact keyboard for the essentials at LAN parties, or you want something in aluminium to match that new case or just something slim and sexy to compliment your LCD monitor, these keyboards are real contenders.

I've never been in a situation where I couldn't see the keys on my keyboard, there's almost always enough light from your monitor to stop this becoming a problem, but there's no doubt that you get less eye strain using a backlit keyboard in low light situations, plus they look cool!

ACK-720 EL:

	NA

ACK-620WK:

	NA

We're always looking for ways to make our reviews fairer. A Right To Reply gives the manufacturer or supplier of the product being reviewed a chance to make public comments on what we've said. They can explain perhaps why they've done the things we were unhappy with or blow their own trumpet over the things we loved. It's easy for us to pick a product apart but sometimes things are done a certain way for very specific reasons.

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