Home > Consumer Reviews > 2 USB 2.0 Ports Aurora Micro Alum Keyboard Hot Key

I did not find the key layout to be a problem. The problem is that it generated too many double key inputs, to the point where it was useless for me. If not for that one main problem, I would've given it a 4 star. I called Enermax before purchasing, about possible double key inputs and they stated that it does not have that problem, BUT, it was not the case once I got it in my hands. I called their tech support after, no one returned my call, so I returned it.

I am extremely picky about the action and feel of the keyboard I use. After a great deal of review and disappointment with other brands, I ordered the Enermax. I don't use 10-key pads so that was a plus in my ordering decision. The two 2.0 USB ports were also attractive. I didn't really care about the aluminum chassis. It's all about the laptop-like scissor keys and I loved them for as long as they worked. Unfortunately, that was one month. In no time the space bar was hanging, soon to be joined by the L and A keys. Worthless to me, now. I'm shopping again but Enermax won't be on my list for consideration. Too nice to throw away and too aggravating to use. I've got it behind the desk as a USB hub.

I got this keyboard after getting the non-micro version because I needed a smaller keyboard for a different workstation. It is well built and the keys have good responsiveness. The deal breaker is that the people who designed the layout of the keyboard are not people who use the right shift key (i.e. anyone who types correctly punctuated documents).

Here's the details: they placed the backslash (\) key in between the slash/question mark key and the right shift key and so every time one reflectively goes for the right shift key one gets a result of a \ in front of whatever you wanted to capitalize. Needless to say this really slows down anyone that is trained with regular typing skills.

Looking at the layout, this poor design is even more obvious when you look at how big the Enter key is and how the \ key could have been placed to the right of the right bracket key (]) as on many other keyboards and had the right shift key be the same size (and distance from pinky finger) as the left shift key, without otherwise affecting the layout. Very ill-thought design.

The number of times I have had to hit backspace to correct for a \t type error in this review alone is proof of the lack of design input by touch typists. Needs to be sent back to the drawing board to make that one revision to get real praise.

I work with my laptop on a stand so need an external keyboard. Also, like to have mouse close by so need a small keyboard without a number keypad. Bought a regular small keyboard with spring type keys and found that my fingers would hurt after a short period typing. This is not something I experience on my laptop keyboard so wanted something with a similar "scissor" action and found this which solved the problem. Highly recommended!

Note: I too found the right hand shift key to be badly designed but after some time my fingers adapted to it.

I admit - some people like clothes and shoes but when you do as much PC work as I do, getting the right mouse and keyboard is important. This is small, well-constructed, has two embedded USB ports. Unreal bargain! BUY THIS NOW! You won't be sorry.

I wish it was wireless though!