Looking for a new keyboard

[50words]

I am looking for a new keyboard. I currently have a Microsoft Wireless somethingorother. It is getting old and work, and I want something new that can keep up with me.

My requirements:
* Must work with Windows XP and Ubuntu 7.10.
* Must be slim and compact, but preferably with a number pad.
* Must connect via USB, wireless, or Bluetooth.
* I hate extra keys. As basic as possible, please.

I like the TypeMatrix 2030 (http://typematrix.com), but I will not be taking it everywhere with me, and I do not want to be tripping over my laptop's keyboard because the keys are in slightly different places.

Has anyone tried the Logitech diNova Edge (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/192&cl=us,en)? It has a few extra keys that I don't need, but it looks like a pretty sweet keyboard. I don't know how well it will play with Ubuntu, however. Ed: Shoot, I just noticed that it does not have a number pad. That big and no number pad?

I like the Logitech keyboard that comes with the Alto laptop systems, but I just want the keyboard, not the other stuff.

The Microsoft keyboards are all gaudy, huge, and loaded with stupid extra keys.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[50words]

This Dell Bluetooth keyboard (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/I_O_Devices/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=310-8142) looks alright. I think I could put up with the big keys.

[paintba||er]

http://www.apple.com/keyboard/

[TheOrangePeanut]

Wow, those Apple keyboards are nice looking. I'd love to pick one up sometime.

[Namtabmai]

I preferred the old style Apple keyboards, but even then I couldn't buy one until they produced one which was at least approaching a standard layout.
*edit*
Sorry should clarify, my main problem with looking at keyboards if finding out that doesn't try to do something unique with the layout. I'd like my function keys to be function keys, not multimedia keys that require a second key or software hack to work (hello Logitech). " and @ should be in the right place for the locale (I'm looking at you Apple), weird length enter and shifts keys are a big no-no. Oh and as a Vim user the insert key is important to me so don't just hide it away.

In the end I found what I was looking for in a £10 wireless keyboard from maplins, the only problem was it is a little loud.

[50words]

Whoops.

[50words]

I'd love to use the new Apple keyboards. But I have a PC.

[digital_exhaust]

The Apple boards work just fine with a PC... and I have a diNovo Edge, and although it has no number pad, I absolutely love it.. truly an awesome board in my opinion...

[hhhhhx]

I'd love to use the new Apple keyboard. But I have a PC.
it works on ubuntu, xp, vista, and mac

[50words]

Not according to the Apple website, which leads me to believe I would have to monkey around to get it to work. In Windows, at least.

[hhhhhx]

Not according to the Apple website, which leads me to believe I would have to monkey around to get it to work. In Windows, at least.
nope, i have one, there plug and play :)

[50words]

Hm. Sounds like a possible winner, then. I have an officemate who has one of these. I'll plug his in and give it a test drive to see if I like it.

[koleoptero]

The apple keyboards can work in linux and windows? :o Does the wireless one work too?

[mips]

* Must work with Windows XP and Ubuntu 7.10.
* Must be slim and compact, but preferably with a number pad.

I like the TypeMatrix 2030 (http://typematrix.com), but I will not

Has anyone tried the Logitech diNova Edge (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/192&cl=us,en)? It has a few extra keys that I don't need, but it looks like a pretty sweet keyboard. I don't know how well it will play with Ubuntu, however. Ed: Shoot, I just noticed that it does not have a number pad. That big and no number pad?

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Have a look at the Logitech UltraX (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/partners/system_builders_integrators/products/keyboards/devices/662&cl=us,en) it is compact&thin, uses laptop style keys. I've had mine a good few years now and I like it.

You might want to look at Das Keyboard (http://www.daskeyboard.com/) or try and find an IBM M (http://www.clickykeyboard.com/) series somehwere.

[cb951303]

+1 for Das Keyboard

[50words]

Logitech UltraX (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/partners/system_builders_integrators/products/keyboards/devices/662&cl=us,en)

That's perfect! Just ordered off Newegg.com. $18.99!

[mips]

That's perfect! Just ordered off Newegg.com. $18.99!

I hope you like it. Post your impressions here once you have received it.

[50words]

My Logitech UltraX keyboard arrived a few hours ago. Very prompt delivery from Newegg and UPS.

I love this keyboard. Ever since I got a laptop, I have preferred laptop keys. I don't buy into the whole clicky keyboard thing. I type as much as any programmer, and I much prefer the short keypress and quiet keys of a laptop keyboard.

I have never liked the "quiet" keyboards in larger sizes, however. They give terrible feedback. And while I don't like clicky keyboards, I understand why people prefer them to those.

This is in a different category, entirely.

First, it does not have bells and whistles. Other than the basic keyboard keys, it has six keys for media (MP3 player), play/pause, mute, favorites, e-mail, and browser. In WinXP on my ThinkPad T43, all but the favorites and e-mail buttons worked. Not that it matters. I don't use those keys, anyway. On this keyboard, they are small and easy to ignore, at least.

On my old MS Wireless keybaord, the extra keys included all sorts of goofy things, which I also ignored.

So, plug it in and go. This keyboard does not come with any extra software.

I love the keys, although they actually seem a bit smaller than the keys on my ThinkPad. This is probably just an optical illusion. It has been easy to adjust to this keyboard, although I am making a few mistakes while I get the hang of the slightly different key locations.

I will not really be using this keyboard in Ubuntu with this computer, so don't expect a review of compatibility for a while. I plan to get a desktop for my office this year, and I will be using it with Ubuntu at that time.

In sum: I love this keyboard. Well worth the (low) price.

[mips]

Glad you like it. I have personally never used the multimedia keys in either windows or linux. The nice thing like you said is that they are small and out of the way.

I'm sure if you wanted you could probably get them to work, I could care less though.

[hhhhhx]

The apple keyboards can work in linux and windows? :o Does the wireless one work too?

dont know about the wireless, because i dont have one. but im using the wired one on my tri - boot ubuntu / vista / xp. ( ubuntu recognizes it the fastest ) :)

[50words]

I have personally never used the multimedia keys in either windows or linux. The nice thing like you said is that they are small and out of the way.

I'm sure if you wanted you could probably get them to work, I could care less though.

Same here. I don't understand the point of all the stupid multimedia keys.

To me, there is no better place to see the difference between the "clean and clear" design approach of Apple and the confused approach of the Windows world than in keyboards.

This is a tool to allow me to type. That is what I want to do. I don't need thirty extra keys. More is not better.

[lightstream]

Agree about extra silly keys being one of the least useful innovations ever. Weren't they originally yet another Microsoft ploy to make people dependent on their software?

Perhaps the most least useful extra key ever would be a 'suspend' key placed in easy accidental hitting distance of the top numpad keys.

[stlcoptony]

as an aside, I like and use the volume and mute keys quite often. Also, does anyone know of any other good wireless keyboards that would be very close to a laptop's??

thanks

[digital_exhaust]

The diNovo Edge is very, very similar to a laptop board. Almost identical in tactile feel and response to my Toughbook... I love it...

[yatt]

Agree about extra silly keys being one of the least useful innovations ever. Weren't they originally yet another Microsoft ploy to make people dependent on their software?

Perhaps the most least useful extra key ever would be a 'suspend' key placed in easy accidental hitting distance of the top numpad keys.I had one better. A power button at the top leftmost position of the keyboard. If it was hit accidentally, it would turn the system off.

[mips]

Also, does anyone know of any other good wireless keyboards that would be very close to a laptop's??

thanks

There is a logitech wireless keyboard that is very similair to the UltraX, sorry but I cannot remember the model.