PC Reviews: Best General-Use Keyboards

Saitek Eclipse II

The Saitek Eclipse II is seemingly geared toward gamers but most reviewers end up agreeing that the Saitek keyboard’s minimalist design results in a top-notch general-use keyboard. High quality construction and a weighted base give it a solid feel, and it is comfortable for both general typing and some gaming. When compared to other gaming keyboards, reviewers find that it lacks features such as an LCD screen or programmable keys, making a model such as Logitech’s G15 keyboard (*est. $77) a potentially better choice for gamers who like a lot of extras. For those who need a basic, comfortable keyboard with a lot of functionality, however, experts point to the Eclipse II keyboard.

ExtremeTech, whose review documents a two-week trial period with the Eclipse II, offers the best evaluation of the keyboard. Expert reviewer Jeremy Atkinson reviews a lot of keyboards and has a good frame of reference; he covers all major aspects of the Saitek Eclipse II and compares it to competing gaming and general-use keyboards. Virtual-Hideout.net limits its testing to gaming use but also delivers comprehensive and comparative coverage of the Eclipse II’s features and performance. TweakNews is highly complimentary in their evaluation of the Eclipse II, but provide little information to understand the basis of their award system, and the review doesn’t include comparisons to other keyboard models. Reviewer Shane McGlaun also approaches the Eclipse II from a gamer’s point of view, coming away pleased but missing the features of other gaming keyboards.

Logitech Media Keyboard

Budget keyboards are not reviewed often and when they are, they are rarely recommended. The exception is Logitech’s Media Keyboard, which is earnestly endorsed by experts and users alike. At less than $20, this is a simple keyboard that is comfortable for general use and has a generous feature set. It doesn’t have programmable keys or any special ergonomic features, but in its price range, no other keyboard comes close.

Loyd Case, for PC Magazine, authors the best critique of low-cost keyboards. In this head-to-head he directly compares six models against one another, finding that the Logitech Media outperforms all the rest.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Although you can spend much more on an ergonomic keyboard, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is easier to use than most, with a familiar layout that’s tweaked to decrease hand and wrist stress. The unique curve of the keyboard encourages users to hold their hands in a more comfortable and ergonomically correct position, and the traditional key layout helps minimize the learning curve. It’s also hailed as a bargain, something unusual in keyboard reviews, which typically complain about the high price of top-performing models. In addition to the ergonomic design, the 4000 also includes useful convenience features, such as a zoom option.

Scott Clark of EverythingUSB offers the best review of the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. MaximumPC’s review is abrupt but covers most major aspects of the keyboard. Lastly, PC Magazine’s Joel Durham includes the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 in his best-bang-for-your-buck article, recommending the 4000 as the best, reasonably priced keyboard.

Logitech diNovo Edge

Logitech’s diNovo Edge is liked by reviewers on many points, including its sleek design, responsive keys, wireless capability and unique recharging system. But where critics say it pulls away from other keyboards and perhaps justifies its high cost is in the arena of media justify PCs. High-end machines designed to make the most of media experience need a well-appointed, reliable keyboard, and the diNovo Edge fits that bill. Outfitted with Bluetooth capability and a rechargeable battery that can last up to two months on a single charge, the diNovo Edge can do double duty in the living room controlling a connected home theater. Experts love its designer styling and its media-centric features including an iPod-like TouchDisc and one-handed navigation.

One thing all reviewers agree on – the Logitech diNovo Edge is a beautiful keyboard. So beautiful, in fact, that some reviewers refer to it glowingly as a piece of art and don’t stop admiring it long enough to critically examine the keyboard’s performance. This tendency makes for some unbalanced reviews, such as the ones from APHNetworks.com and CoolTechZone. Luckily, Jeremy Atkinson, from ExtremeTech, takes a more critical look at the diNovo Edge. Digital Trends also covers the diNovo Edge well, with findings similar to those at ExtremeTech.

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Pro

This desktop duo of the Logitech Wave keyboard and MX1100 mouse do well in reviews; experts note that it’s unusual to have a good keyboard and good mouse paired together. The Logitech MX1100 wireless mouse is not reviewed as often as the Wave cordless keyboard, since the Wave keyboard can be found in multiple desktop sets and the MX1100 mouse is not nearly so ubiquitous. When it is reviewed, though, it comes out favorably. The Wave keyboard is a reviewer favorite; it’s not quite ergonomic and therefore doesn’t have a steep learning curve, but is more comfortable than the average plank keyboard. The keys are responsive and the model performs well overall.

ExtremeTech is the only reviewer we found that reviews the Wave Pro duo, the set that includes the Wave keyboard and MX1100 mouse. Jeremy Atkinson uses a series of tests to determine their quality and writes a comprehensive, balanced, comparative review of the set. Digital Trends, Trusted Reviews and Hardware Logic all review the Wave keyboard.

Logitech G15 Keyboard

Gaming keyboards are subject to intense scrutiny, but Logitech’s G15 Keyboard comes to the forefront as the most universally-liked of all gaming keyboards. Reviewers like the G15’s comfortable keyboard, but it’s better for gaming than for office work. The Logitech G15 features programmable macro keys and a highly praised switch that disables the Windows key, so that you don’t have to worry about accidentally ending an active game. The LCD screen augments the gaming experience and is becoming more fun and useful over time, with the proliferation of applets coming from community developers. The G15 is a refresh on an earlier model released in 2005, which has been discontinued, although it is still available on eBay and from Amazon resellers. The 2007 version of the G15 features an integrated display that’s a bit smaller than the original’s pop-up display. There are also fewer customizable “G” keys for gamers on the left hand side; the keyboard itself is about two inches smaller. Experts have mixed feelings about the new version of the G15, as compared to the original, but agree that either version outperforms the competition.

The greatest challenge in finding good reviews of the G15 (2007) is locating ones that compare to other gaming keyboards in general, and not only to the earlier version of the G15 keyboard. CNet.com does this well, holding the G15 against competing Razer keyboards in addition to the earlier version. ExtremeTech and Digital Trends both focus primarily on comparing the new G15 to the original, but their descriptions and evaluations of the keyboard are very well done and they come to nearly identical findings. Virtual-Hideout.net also has an excellent, descriptive review of the new G15, with comparisons to the original.

Source: ConsumerSearch.com