Kensington Slim Type Keyboard - PC ( 64365 )

See it at Amazon.com for $24.14

Average Customer Rating
(4.5 out of 5)

Amazon Customer Reviews

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Just what I wanted

I prefer laptop keyboards because the keys have a shorter actuation distance, which seems to make typing less stressful. The Slim Type actuation distance isn't as small as an iBook keyboard, but I think it's smaller than the keyboards of some Dells I've used. Maybe it's also the feel of the "crisp" "scissor-switch" keys as advertised above - "crisp" is certainly accurate. Anyway, I find that with this keyboard I can type a lot longer before my wrists start to hurt, as compared to normal desktop keyboards. Plus, the low profile (less than an inch high) means that I don't need a wrist support, I can rest my hands comfortably on my desk.Update: yes, I've noticed the problem mentioned in another review with keys "sticking", with both keyboards that I own. What happens is that about every half an hour the keyboard power-cycles, and when it comes back on, if it powered off or maybe came on when a key was depressed then things can get in a weird state - pressing other keys fixes it. The power-cycling itself is annoying, since I can't type for the two seconds or so that it takes to complete - the key repeating part I find less so, since it only happens occasionally. It isn't as bad for the user as it sounds, although it is indeed a major design flaw. I didn't mention it earlier because I thought it might be a Linux problem, I'm sorry if I misled other buyers. I'll wait and see if I can get replacements from Kensington.

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Nice keyboard, but could've been just a bit better

I do not want to repeat everything that all the others wrote about this keyboard, except for a fact that it is nice, solid, fast, and inexpensive for its quality. What I do not like about it (although I could not give it less than 5 stars) is the regular-size NumLock key (some Logitech boards have a smaller NumLock key, which allows your to avoid pressing it accidentally). Well, it is just a wish, actially. Also, I am not crazy about the placement of the Delete key: it is somewhat hard to reach. The second ''|\'' key exists for no reason (I guess that the manufacturer did not want to make another irregular size ''Alt'' or ''Start'' key ) and it kind of interferes, sitting between the ''SpaceBar'' and the left ''Alt''. Yes, I type fast, I type ALOT. So, certain things do make difference for me. There are no perfect keyboards, but this one is certainly above-the-average in so many ways.

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A premium quality keyboard

Kensington is truly the Cadillac of input devices. Not only does this keyboard look gorgeous, it's so enjoyable to use. Despite taking up relatively little space compared to other keyboards, it has a good amount of weight to it, and therefore doesn't slide around on my slippery desk the way previous keyboards have. The 5 year warranty is a nice added bonus, although it's not likely that you'll need it. You can really feel the quality and workmanship that goes into these keyboards. Highly recommended.

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Great keyboard, tragic flaw

The other reviews are correct, this keyboard looks and feels great, there isn't another short keystroke keyboard like it. However, it currently has a major flaw, every one of these I've had (3 so far) has developed a problem with sticking keys after about a month.

The keys don't physically stick, but one will just repeat after I push it, and at the same time the Scroll, Num, and Caps lock LEDs will flash on, then turn off. The key that has stuck will keep repeating itself until I push another key, and any of the keys can repeat. I've had the backspace key stick, which really sucks when you have the repeat rate up high and it deletes half of what you've just written.

I have spoken Kensington, and they said that this is a problem with the keyboard they are working on. The keyboard comes with no drivers, but they advised me to download the Kensington Comfort Type Wireless Desktop software (http://www.kensington.com/html/3846.html#64355) to see if this would resolve the issue. I haven't had it installed long enough to see if it fixes the problem or not. They did say that when they have this problem fixed and come out with the new version, they will replace my current keyboard if it is found that software won't be able to help.

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Good in theory, but awful engineering

I loved the idea and the features. I loved the keyboard itself for the first few hours.

Then it died. Just a tiny little static spark from my finger - that I normally wouldn't have even noticed - killed it. After that, the normal keys did nothing and the shortcut keys all just launched Internet Explorer. The standby key worked, but that's it, making it a one-key keyboard.

I called support and they were happy to send me a new one (I do credit them for good support).

But just one day after I received the new one... ZAP - same thing. Same exact symptoms. Dead keyboard.

I have carpeting and it's been dry lately, so I might have more static issues than some, but it's nothing unsual. It's never been an issue at all with any other gadget in my apartment or USB device on my desk, and trust me, my place is absolutely overflowing with both.

There's no excuse for such lazy engineering or poor manufacturing that it's not grounded well enough to handle a little bit of static.

Avoid this keyboard at all costs if you want one that will last more than 24 hours!

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