amykhar's Full Review: Microsoft Office (E17-00036) Keyboard
I have the best keyboard in my house. In fact, I have to guard it because occasionally, one of my older children will try to swipe my Microsoft Office Keyboard for their own computer. However, there is no way that I am giving up this keyboard. It makes everything I do easier, and when I am on another computer with a standard keyboard, I miss it dearly.
Basic Features You Need to Know About, But Do Not Really Care About
This is a standard keyboard, in that it is not one of the funky ergonomic split models that Microsoft came out with in the late 1990’s. There is a wrist rest, and legs that allow you to incline the board to a comfortable angle. The keyboard comes with a USB connector, but also includes a PS/2 adaptor. I use mine in PS/2 mode out of habit.
Features I Can Not Live Without
On the left side of the keyboard, there are three buttons within easy reach that are programmed for cut, copy, and paste. These buttons save me pain in my mouse hand, and a bit of time because clicking these buttons is a one-step move instead of the two step required by a mouse (right click, select copy, paste, or cut). I am utterly addicted to those three buttons.
At the top of the keyboard, there are another set of buttons for quick launching various applications, controlling the speaker volume, logging off from Windows, and putting the computer to sleep. Of all these buttons, I only use the calculator button with any regularity. This button launches the Windows calculator instead of requiring me to drill down the various levels of the Start menu for it.
Features That I Never Use
At the left side of the keyboard, there is a scroll wheel, similar to one found on scrolling mice. I never use this wheel because I tend to simply use my mouse. There is also a toggle button that works similarly to the “alt tab” keyboard combination; it cycles through open applications. I have been using “alt tab” for so long though, that I never remember to reach for that button. At the upper left corner of the keyboard, there are two buttons for browser navigation. These two buttons are slightly out of reach for my small hands; consequently, I never use them.
As previously mentioned, along the top row of the keyboard, there are buttons for launching a variety of applications. Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Email, a calendar, Windows Explorer, and the calculator. Old habits die hard, and I typically just open the programs the traditional way. Perhaps users who are new to computers would actually use these buttons. They do make finding the basics trivial.
Finally, the typical keyboard function keys now have new functionality. In addition to acting as function keys, they serve as shortcuts for starting Windows help, going to the Microsoft Office home page, creating new files, opening existing files, and closing files that are open. There are also buttons to reply, forward, or send an email, run a the Office spell checker, save, or print a file. Finally, there are two buttons that allow users to undo or redo previous actions.
These buttons are great ideas, but I never seem to remember that they are there. Writing this review makes me realize that I am not getting the fullest use out of this keyboard. I am going to try a bit harder to train my hands to reach for those buttons instead of the mouse.
Durability and Reliability
I have been using this keyboard for approximately 7 months now. It is still performing perfectly. Often, cheap keyboards that come with a new computer have died by the 6-month mark, necessitating buying a new one. The keys are still quiet, and I am quite satisfied.
My Final Recommendation
If you do anything that requires a lot of copying and pasting, you will want to give this keyboard a try. The cut, copy, and paste buttons alone make this keyboard worth buying. The keyboard is reliable, durable, and comfortable to use. When this one dies, I fully intend to replace it with another Microsoft Office Keyboard. Using this keyboard does take a bit of getting used to, and as this review has proven, power users may never use the built in shortcuts.
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