Logisys Office, Internet and Multimedia Pro Illuminated Keyboard

Introduction

Computer keyboard is probably one of the components that has not been updated or changed as much dramatically as every other components.  Despite the lack of huge improvement, having the right keyboard is critical because not only a right keyboard can greatly enhance the productivity, an ergonomic keyboard also reduces the potential of repetitive stress injury.  Today, we have received a Logisys Internet, Multimedia, and Office Illuminated Keyboard (KB608BK) from CrazyPC.  I was pretty excited when I receive the keyboard as it’s a nice looking keyboard and it has a lot of extra features.  Now let’s take a look to see if this keyboard lives up to the expectation.

The package comes with the keyboard(duh), manual, USB to PS2 adaptor, and 1 CD with drivers.  According to the manual, the keyboard works with Office 97~2003, Windows 95 to 2003 Server or later.  Like any modern keyboard, you don’t need the driver to get the basic function but in order to take the advantage of all the feature, you should install the driver.

Here are the features of the keyboard:

• User friendly design for anti-RSI
• 70% time saving on typing and movements between keyboard and mouse.
• 1 office lock +13-15 office keys for “Office Keys” (enhanced Function Keys)
• Up to 4 hot keys for “Office Application Keys”
• Up to 8 hot keys for “internet Keys”
• Up to 8 hot keys for “Multimedia Keys”
• Up to 6 hot keys for “Clipboard Keys”
• Up to 5 hot keys for “Application and Power Management Keys”
• “Navigation Wheel” for vertical scroll, with an optional “Pop-up” function
• Wheel lit up by build-in blue LED
• More than 12 customizable keys (for launch a new application or web site function), pop up menu function after install the driver.

The surface of the keyboard is coated with smooth shinny plastic.  I like that the keyboard follows the standard keyboard placement of the keys, and all the key are normal sizes.  As you can see, the function keys are located primarily on the left side and top of the keyboard.  I counted the number of extra keys from standard keyboard, there are total of 33 extra buttons on the keyboard.  Though there are tons of other functions added to the keyboard, it does not take that much spaces and all the functional keys are nicely organized in groups.

The color scheme is nice, the blue looks great on the black background.  In order for the light to shine through the keys, the keys are all transparent with white text written on it.  This makes the text a bit hard to read sometimes against the transparent dark background, but overall it’s legible.  You can enable/disable the EL lights with simple a press of the button (nice touch for those who does not like the color combo).  In addition, the keyboard’s additional function can be disable or enabled with a press of the Function button, so you can switch between the enhanced feature or the normal Windows preset feature.  All the preset functions on the keyboard is clearly labeled with icon and/or text.