Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro
I received a nifty product a while back. While a review of mice and keyboards to most would seem lame, you have to agree they are things we use every day and sometimes take for granted. Microsoft has always been in the forefront of human interface devices such as mice and keyboards, I have enjoyed my Natural Elite split design keyboard for years now. Why did it take me so long to get this done and posted? Well, a couple of reasons, but to keep it short and sweet the woman of the house stole the darn thing! Ever tried to take fresh kill away from a mountain lion? I rest my case.
First off Microsoft graciously gave us this keyboard to review because they are interested in providing people with cutting edge tools to get work done more efficiently, and make using a PC more interactive and enjoyable. We have enjoyed many products from the mighty MS, and all have turned out to be very useful and enjoyable pieces. Does the Internet Keyboard Pro live up to Microsoft's past products? Only one way to find out eh?
The layout is based on a flat
design, and not the split ergonomic that I personally enjoy the most. That was
one of the major hang-ups I had with the keyboard, and not the opinions of all
users out there. That is primarily the reason the wife ripped it off the bench
and kept it hostage for a while, see I find it hard to let go of habits like the
split design. For me it is more comfortable and efficient, and switching back to
a flat design is almost an inconvenience for me. However this thing has so many
cool toys, I had to break down and play with it for a while (the wife is out
shopping, that way I don't lose a limb trying to use it!). Features are the
selling point for this input device, and it has plenty to offer the user. With
19 hotkeys placed across the top for use with your internet browser (IE3, 4, or
5; Netscape 3 or 4, and god forbid AOL 4 or higher.), multimedia hotkeys to
directly control volume, mute, play/pause, stop, previous and next track, as
well as media, two custom user programmable keys for use with your fav programs,
and a sleep key.