PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition

Our Picks

The choice of keyboard is, above all, a personal matter, but unless you have very strong preferences you’ll probably find one of the following keyboards suitable. Here are the keyboards that we use and recommend:

Standard keyboard

Microsoft Internet Keyboard, Office Keyboard, or MultiMedia Keyboard. If you want a standard straight keyboard, one of these models should suit you. The Internet Keyboard and MultiMedia Keyboard are PS/2-only. The Office Keyboard connects with PS/2 or USB. Barbara uses one or another of these standard keyboards on all of her systems (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/keyboard).

Ergonomic keyboard

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite or Natural MultiMedia Keyboard. You’ll either love or hate these “melted” keyboards. Robert loves them; Barbara hates them. The Natural MultiMedia Keyboard uses the PS/2 interface. The Natural Keyboard Elite uses the PS/2 or USB interface. Robert uses one or another of the Natural Keyboard models on his primary office systems.

Tip

Some say that getting used to the Natural Keyboard layout takes a long time. That was not Robert’s experience. He is a touch typist, and became completely comfortable with the Natural Keyboard in less than an hour. He uses Internet Keyboard models on some of his test-bed systems and switches back and forth without difficulty. The major adjustment is that the Natural Keyboard errs in putting the 6 key above and to the right of the T key, where it must be struck with the left index finger. Touch ...