Keyboard needed

[arwen_lune]

Earlier today I managed to dump my 0.5 litre mug full of hot sweet tea over my MS Natural keyboard. And desk. And floor. And self. Urgh.
I might be able to clean and fix it, but that will take a few days. My backup is an older model of the same keyboard, which I like a lot less, and turns out not to work anymore. I am now using a horrible straight

Comments

[damanique]

Wah, typing on a keyboard like that would feel so weird to me. I guess it really depends on what you're used to. (I have this sexy 'straight plank', lol. with lights under the keys! It's definitely my favorite keyboard evar)

Anyway, I looked around for you...

Black MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard, 50 euros
The more expensive version of the one above, for some reason (it has 7000 instead of 4000! No idea what the difference is!)
Same as the first one in the list, only 8 euros cheaper, but slightly less reliable supplier.

[naath]

Amazon have what I assume is the latest version http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Natural-Ergonomic-Keyboard-4000/dp/B000B9RYG8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1276203068&sr=8-1 along with a bunch of other things (search 'split keyboard') that look plausible and not hugely expensive.

http://www.ergonomics.co.uk has some things that look lovely at OMG WTF NO! prices. (sorry)

When you say you need a US keyboard do you mean you want the US shape of return key? (unfortunately I'm finding it quite hard to see from the available images what the MS one amazon has is)

[arwen_lune]

Yeah, can't really afford the latest version though.

And no, US layout: http://techsalsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/us_keyboard_layout.png Instead of UK laypout: http://techsalsa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/uk_keyboard_layout-400x133.png

With the natural keyboards the shape of the enter key does not matter so much, it positions my hand right and I'm used to a single row height key.

[naath]

Right, but if the main consideration for the US layout is "where do they put the @ key" then this can be changed in software (trivially, it's under Regional and Language Options -> Languages on the control panel in Windows), whereas if it's "what shape is the enter key and thus how many other keys are in that region" then you have to have the US layout.

I expect the MS keyboards are all US layout though.

Keyboards are distressingly expensive :( :( and I don't even need a shiny ergonomic one.

[purrevil]

Do you have a dishwasher? Place your keyboard on the top rack, run it through, don't use the heat cycle. Then lay it on a towel, let it dry for several days- shifting the angle. I have saved my Natural Keyboard twice doing this.

[swaldman]

i did this once while doing an all-night essay at uni. I waited until about 6am, then knocked on my neighbour's door and said "I watered my keyboard, can I borrow yours?"

split keyboards do seem to be out of fashion thesw days. I'm afraid my newer one is the expensive (and enormous) MS one, because I couldn't find anything else at the time. I think I've seen one from Trust, but I don't know how long ago and I can't vouch for the quality...

[arwen_lune]

are you happy with the MS one though? I've pretty much given in and will order one tomorrow (unless you really hate it) because it's the only option.

My old kb has started working again after some drying time, thank glod

[swaldman]

Yes. The newer MS one that I have (It's a "Natural Keyboard 4000 v1.0", and was bought in ~2007) has quite a different action to the older ones, but I get on with it and the build quality is good. Do be aware that it is physically rather large - so if this might be an issue, do check the dimensions!