Logitech Media Keyboard

Logitech Media Keyboard

Logitech Media Keyboard is a streamlined design keyboard that is dedicated to music, internet and navigation. Its exterior is black where most of the buttons are as of that colour with some of them are silver-coloured. The remodeled cursor-control keys which are founded round in shape are more than half an inch closer to the main keyboard area than on most keyboards, aiming to provide better ergonomic purpose. The keys dedicated on media functions in the keyboard situated at the top-center control cluster. To use the Logitech Media Keyboard, the system requirements which are needed to be met are Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, Me, XP or Vista operating system as well as a PS/2 Port together with a CD-ROM Drive. It uses PS/2 connectivity where its connector type is 6 pin mini-DIN. The package which comes together with a CD with its installation software offers a limited 5 year warranty.

Features

One of the features packed together with the Media Keyboard is Logitech’s Zero-Degree Tilt feature which targets on its users typing feel and experience. The rows of the keys are all at the same height, instead of rising from front to back of the keyboard. With that feature, Logitech claims that it minimizes potentially painful wrist extension with the no-slope design. With One-Touch Controls feature, it is made possible that some of the applications are accessible with a single key. One of the keys is used to launch a specified media player (the default one is Windows Media Player 9) and it offers play/pause, stop, next/previous track and volume features with it as well. Other key functions are used to launch the home page, e-mail and instant messaging clients, Web favourites, onscreen calculator and sleep mode. The keyboard comes with Programmable F-Keys feature where users have the options to set shortcuts as preferred to open files, sites or applications.

Additional Features

• Spill-Resistant Design
• Flush-Controls

Accessories

• CD with software, comfort guidelines and user guide
• Quick Start Guide
• 5 year limited warranty

External Resources

Logitech

Earthweb Hardware

CNET

Review Summary

The Logitech Media Keyboard advertises the "Zero Degree Tilt" design, which is all rows are of the same height, instead of rising from front to back. Logitech promotes this no-slope design by saying that it minimizes potentially painful or harmful wrist extension. Logitech has also modified the cursor-control keys, substituting the rarely-used keys with function keys, all in all to make working on the keyboard more accessible. It offers simple, straightforward options for customizing the launch buttons and function keys to load your favourite applications or Web sites or open a file or folder. There are browser back and forward buttons which are convenient to browse through Web sites. However notebook users will be disappointed to know that the Media Keyboard comes with an old-fashioned PS/2 cable and connector, and not even a USB adapter plug. And this will not appeal to our modern users who are internet and music savvy. The media part of the Media Keyboard is the top-center control cluster that launches a specified media player and offers play/pause, stop, next/previous track, and volume up/down/mute buttons. Other buttons along the top launch your home page, Web favorites, e-mail and instant messaging clients, and Windows’ Calculator and suspend/sleep mode.