Internet Keyboard Pro

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A Techtite Review

There have been many attempts to improve the age-old, classic computer keyboard. Until now, such attempts have not been too successful, and people have been known to use their "trusty old" keyboard for years; every little extra dollar counts, right? With "standard" extended keyboards so common, and with keyboard breakdown so very rare, I used the exact same keyboard for nearly a whole decade! That has suddenly changed, however, when I came across Microsoft's recent offering, the Internet Keyboard Pro.

What makes this keyboard outshine all others are the 19 additional "hot keys" at the top of the board. Each is used to quickly go to a popular application, at the mere press of a button. Seven of these keys control Internet Navigation : Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Search, Favorites, Web/Home (to automatically activate your ISP) and e-mail. 8 more keys are used for multimedia applications : Mute, Volume Up, Volume Down, Play/Pause, Stop, Prev Track, Next Track, and Media (this calls up a mini-menu of all your media applications; click on the one you want). The last three buttons are for popular standard W98 options : My Computer, Calculator, and a button to automatically put your PC to SLEEP (ie, screen saver, or power mgmt, depending on your setup).

Connection for the keyboard is via the standard IBM PS/2 keyboard port. Some may think this is also a USB keyboard, since the cable of the keyboard splits like a "Y," offering a second plug for USB ports. However, this is apparently only to make available the USB "hub" option (two USB ports are offered right on the back of the keyboard). There doesn't seem to be any other reason for the USB connection at all; you cannot expect the keyboard itself to work via merely the USB connection. This is a shame for Mac owners, who could've used this keyboard if it had a USB connection similar to the Intellimouse Optical. However, this USB connection, if used, does effectively make a single USB port into two, and provides those USB ports conveniently on the back of the keyboard, right on your desk. This two port "hub" may not have enough power to support USB devices that require power direct from the USB connection (like the new Zip USB drives), though it should provide convenience for those people who use USB game pads or flight sticks, or wish to connect their digital camera on occasion.

Control Panel Software is also provided, to configure all basic functions. You can also use these controls to re-apply the 19 hot keys, to almost anything you wish. Web/Home is easily re-applied to Internet Explorer, Netscape, or AOL, for example, or any other Internet service. The Calculator key can be used to call up a favorite spreadsheet/accounting program. This ups the value of the keyboard to very impressive levels. Control of the hot keys is a big plus.

Installation was quick and painless, although my original Windows system CD was needed during setup, to install the software for its internal USB port "hub". Similar installations should be no more difficult. You'll be using the hot keys in no time, and soon get very used to them. While the high rating below may seem a bit overstated, this is the first time I was satisfied with any "different" keyboard, in many years. It's a great keyboard choice, for every computer that uses Windows 98 or ME...

	Final Rating : Deep Impact. A great keyboard for a wide number of uses. After years of "trying out" new keyboards, this was the one to finally replace the old...
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