ROCCAT ain’t messing around when it comes to gaming.  The company is set to introduce the Isku Gaming Keyboard and Kone+ Gaming Mouse at CES 2012.

So what makes them special? They can communicate wirelessly to one and other, allowing gamers to hit a key on the keyboard and change the settings of the mouse instantly mid gameplay.  But that’s not all these gaming peripherals have to offer.

The Isku keyboard is built for the true gamer. It has a a whopping 36 macro keys – 8 dedicated – 3 of which are located just below the space bar for ultra quick access during heated gameplay. Furthermore, they can all be double programmed in up to 5 profiles, providing up to 180 macros on a single keyboard.  And to make sure you know what profile you’ve selected, they’ve outfitted the keyboard with a set of LED lights along with extreme Ice Blue back lighting in 6 adjustable brightness levels.

ROCCAT’s Kone[+] mouse is one of the wired ilk, as it should be, and includes a 6000dpi Pro-Aim laser sensor that achieves a 10.5 megapixel resolution and 1000Hz polling rate – that means it won’t lag or lose connection even during the most furious of frag sessions.  The outside of the mouse is outfitted with a Soft-Touch Surface, though keep in mind it’s built for right handers only.  And like the Isku, this mouse can be programmed with up to 22 functions that can be changed at the press of a button and are affirmed by voice feedback.

Expect ROCCAT’s latest mouse and keyboard to launch sometime early next year.

Whether you just prefer to do your web browsing from the bed or if you want some inputs to get used to no matter where you are, the Verbatim Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse is a nice, compact solution that is incredibly easy to set up, comfortable to use, and effective for just about any purpose shy of gaming. With a roughly laptop-sized keyboard and a small mouse that also houses the wireless receiver when not in use, this set comes with pretty much everything you could need from a wireless keyboard and mouse.

The keyboard itself is fairly standard, complete with function keys and even selectable number pad keys and volume controls. The keyboard runs off of 2 AAA batteries and just stays on, waiting for inputs. The keys are push in comfortably, and it’s very easy to adapt to for anybody who spends any amount of time using a laptop. The letter keys are spaced more like a traditional desktop computer, which is great for typing, though the other keys tend to be more bunched up and in different places, which means looking around a bit if you’re trying to insert or delete.

In order to save on battery life, the mouse features an on/off switch on the bottom. More responsive than other optical mice I’ve tried, the Verbatim Mini Wireless Mouse is a comfortable yet small size, works great on almost every surface I tried (including my white desk), and the scroll wheel is smooth but responsive. The fact that the mouse can be used anywhere is a serious perk to consider when you imagine that you might be taking these out to use on a conference room table or a couch arm or anywhere you can think of, really. Knowing that the mouse is going to be responsive on a wide array of surfaces increases the potential uses for a wireless combo like this.

As nice as the Verbatim Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse are, however, there is still room for improvement. The lack of a power button on the keyboard means that battery life is always draining, albeit slowly, though if you’re carrying the keyboard with you, every time a key is pressed it’s pecking away at the battery. The tiny wireless USB receiver, while convenient in its size, is pretty easy to lose track of if you don’t want to keep removing and replacing the mouse’s battery case to store it. While I’m sure they would make the battery life drop a little faster, some lights on the keyboard to let you know if Num Lock or Caps Lock are activated would go a long way. I also would like to see some kind of USB compatibility so that if your batteries run out and you don’t have a spare set on you, you could still use the keyboard at least.

With a solid wireless distance and decent battery life, the Verbatim Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse make for a very good temporary solution for presentations or the odd situation where you don’t want to stretch cables. However, because of the reliance strictly on AAA batteries that do wear down after about 15-20 hours, I don’t recommend getting these for use in making your home a bit more mobile or wireless. The products themselves work to specifications and the fact that all it typically takes to get going is plugging them in and putting batteries in goes a long way in my opinion of any wireless device. Finding a regular use for them that makes sense in terms of not constantly buying batteries, on the other hand, is a little harder to do.

Editor’s Rating

3.5 out of 5 stars

Very Good

Bottom Line: The Verbatim Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse isn’t perfect, but has enough going for it that it should be considered for anybody looking to add some wireless functionality to any computer around. The compatibility across multiple operating systems means that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, getting started is often just as easy as plugging in the wireless USB receiver to the system and going. For a product designed for portability and ease of use, something as pivotal as that simply can not be overlooked. Anyone looking for a replacement for their current keyboard and mouse aren’t going to like shelling out battery money frequently, however.

Pros:

• Full number pad via a function key is a rarity for portable keyboards
• Works with a variety of operating systems simply by plug and play
• Mouse works great on virtually every surface and has a full, clickable scroll wheel

Cons:

• 2 AAA batteries for the keyboard, another 2 for the mouse, if you use these devices with any degree of long-term frequency, you’ll need to keep a lot of batteries stocked
• Lack of LEDs for Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock means relying on the installable toolbar that comes with the keyboard on a CD to know if you have any enabled
• With no shutoff switch for the keyboard, batteries need to be removed to make sure life isn’t being drained while it stows in your bag or briefcase

The Verbatim Mini Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse is available from Amazon for $29.24.

TGIF! Just one more workday until you can enjoy your weekend. And to get you through the last couple of hours, here’s a roundup of the top tech videos and gadgets for the week!

8. Water Printer

The Osaka Station has a waterfall fixture, or water printer, that can create images from the falling water. A pretty unique thing that seems to fascinate onlookers.

7. iPhone 4 Illuminated Apple Logo Modification

An England-based modifier has created a cool modification that will illuminate the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone 4 handset when you receive a text or a call. It’s supposed to come out in October, but not for consumers. Too bad because it’s  a seriously cool concept!

6. Revolight Bike Lights

Here’s a neat bike gadget that will help with your night rides. The Revolight is an LED ring of lights that mount to the bike’s front and rear tire rims, which allow motorists to clearly see you coming and helps light your path. Right now it’s a Kickstarter project and you’ll need to pledge a minimum of $200 to have a pair. Not bad for those serious hardcore cyclists out there.

5. Levitatr Bluetooth Keyboard

The Levitatr is an iPad-compatible Bluetooth keyboard that with a push of a button, elevates its keys from the device’s glossy face and then retracts them back slowly into the body when not in use. This keeps the keys safe from crumbs, dirt and debris when stored away. Oh, and it also sports a sleek design. Right now it’s actually a Kickstarter project that asks for at least a $79 donation if you want one for yourself.

4. Video Game in a Box

If you enjoy playing “Super Mario Bros.” then you’ll definitely enjoy this “Video Game in a Box” video! Turns out some gamer mimicked the popular NES game and made his own video game using a box and a few other components including some LED lights. It even has its own sound effects! While it may not be as fun as the actual video game, if you think it’s still cool and want one for yourself, the parts are available via a Kickstarter project.

3. Nike Air Mag Sneakers

Based on Marty McFly’s sneakers in “Back to the Future 2,” Nike’s new and limited edition Air Mag Sneakers are the hottest commodity in footwear. With only 1,500 versions of the iconic sneaker being sold (via auction), the proceeds will go toward developing a cure for Parkinson’s disease since Michael J. Fox is part of the project. While it may not be the nicest looking sneaker around, it’s still pretty cool since it’s the first rechargeable sneaker from Nike (it has LED lights that turn on by pinching the “ear” of the high top). Good luck getting your hands on a pair because they’re selling for a pretty hefty chunk of change.

2. Sphero Robotic Ball Controlled by Your Phone

For those who have feline friends and an iPhone, the Sphero robotic ball will provide you with awesome footage to make your own funny cat video. To control the ball, all you need to do is download an app that’s available for Android/iPhone. From there, you either shake your phone to move the ball or use the screen controls an torture the hell out of your cat!

1. Paraswift: A Base Jumping Robot

A robot that can base jump? Yup, and it goes by the name Paraswift. It’s the first robot that can climb a vertical surface and then deploy a paraglider to make it safely back on the ground. Robots are getting more and more advanced, with Paraswift demonstrating how they are now becoming more versatile at moving around in human environments. Looks more like this is one step closer to a future robot takeover.

Update: Checkout our review of the Logitech Fold-Up keyboard review.

The corner stone, or shall we just say selling point of the iPad is its portability.  The tablet is a robust device that can be used in variety of formats and easily extends its versatility beyond the home and into the board room.  However, all the practice in the world with its virtual keyboard will never lead to an equivalent ‘words per minute’, or accuracy, as using a physical keyboard.  Sure, there are a variety of Bluetooth compatible keyboards to choose from, but most if not all don’t offer a full sized keyboard.  Plus who wants to lug around an additional item in their already over weighted bag.

Logitech’s Fold-Up Keyboard for iPad solves the majority of these conundrums.  It attaches to the back of the iPad 2 providing additional protection to the rear of the device, all the while doubling as a stand for viewing the tablet in landscape mode.  But that’s not all.  There is also a hidden, slide out, full-sized Bluetooth keyboard.  Unfold the keyboard and the Bluetooth powers on. Fold it up and it turns off to conserve battery life.

Logitech hadn’t planned to announce the product this soon, so they are a bit remiss when it comes to the device’s weight and size.  But from the images alone it appears to be pretty lightweight and svelte.  There are, though, some caveats.   In this case (no pun intended) it’s the price, which is $129.99.  That’s more than a fourth of the cost of the lowest end iPad 2, so in theory to justify this purchase your productivity has to probably increase a fair bit, but what that is is for you to determine.  Additionally, Logitech’s Fold-Up Keyboard for the iPad doesn’t protect the screen, though they say it works seamlessly with Apple’s Smart Covers.

We’ll try to get our hands on one for a review, but in the meanwhile you can preorder it from Logitech’s website.  No word on an official ship date, but we’re assuming sometime in September of this year.

12►

Everything is better in a chrome or silver finish, right?  That would be our assumption based on Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard, the K750.  It came out last year for the PC, but now Logitech has a Mac version and it’s finished in silver, which is very Apple, at least in terms of their computers.  As it happens you can also purchase it with a blue, pink or green stripe at the top or in all black.

Much like a solar powered calculator, the K750 can be recharged by indoor our outdoor lighting.  That means no batteries to replace or recharge. They’ve even got an app that informs you about how much battery power you’ve got left and how much juice the keyboard is sucking down from your desk lamp.  And let’s not over look that the K750 has a PVC-free construction and a fully recyclable box.  Now that’s green.

This version includes the Mac friendly keyboard layout, which means all the Mac keys – music and brightness controls, command keys and the eject key – are in the places you’d expect them to be.  And because it is specifically designed for the Mac it works right of the box; no drivers to install.

You can preorder the Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 for Mac right now for $59.99.  Expect it delivered sometime this month.

The Old Republic, Razer’s newest gaming keyboard, at first glance appears to cater to the Stars Wars folks, but if you look closer it’s an exceptional gaming device.

It’s a wired affair that rocks a touchscreen and 10 LCD buttons that can be mapped with macros along with displaying content according to the game.  Up to 10 profiles can be assigned making switching between games a cinch and the lighting scheme can be selected according to your affinity; blue for the Galactic Republic, red for Sith Empire, or even green like a Jedi’s lightsaber.

No word on a launch date or price at this time, but we’re digging for more info.

Read

4.5 out of 5 stars

Gazing upon my workspace, I can only imagine the grief my 6th grade summer school English teacher would feel. Disorganized, unorderly…madness, in a sense. She might even be too taken aback to notice two keyboards connected simultaneously to my computer, instead focusing on clutters of yellow papers and very little visible wood for such a large wooden desk.

But there is some order in that madness. You know, in the way that we all know where to walk when the floor is just too unclean, or how the too-full refrigerator is still so easy to navigate so long as no one but you touches anything. We just know where things go, until someone else needs something. No, the interesting part of the above image is the second keyboard. The Razer Blackwidow.

I wrote a fine review of the Blackwidow but didn’t publish it. I blame divine intervention, so that I may write this instead. Perhaps it’s because I needed Pandora to publicly debut comedy channels, where I heard a magnificient line about being wary of the word love. The comedian – who’s name I dare not remember – claimed saying “I love you” all the time loses it’s meaning. Considering the strength and power of the word, it’s a fair statement to make. Likewise, I’m hesitant to say that I love the Blackwidow.

This arachnid is phenominal. It’s better than any mechanical keyboard I’ve tested, including the Das Keyboard Model S and Matias Tactile Pro. The keys are the best I’ve ever typed on, without reservation. The absolute power of typing, of the written word, is brought to life with this keyboard and not stained with overbearing sound – the TACK TACK TACK of hail in your head normally reserved for mechanical keyboards – nor is it tarnished with poor design, maligned keys or cut corners. There is so much to love that, as a matter of fact, I’m having trouble saying that I don’t love the Blackwidow.

Furthermore, this model is not even the more expensive “Ultimate” model, just the standard, non-macro, no-backlighting, no-extra-jacks standard fare. Even without these bells and whistles, I haven’t had this much fun and true enjoyment from typing since the Das Keyboard. But as great as it is, I’ve still got my older, familiar Sidewinder X6 plugged in, and insanely for just two functions: the quick media keys and the volume knob.

I can say that without a doubt I love the volume knob. I’m not the only one who would rather change the stereo volume while driving with a knob rather than a button, right? That tactile feedback, the turning motion…it’s really primal, but more importantly it’s an easy tool to navigate. I can easily press the wrong button…but it’s much harder to turn a knob the wrong way accidentally.

Incidentally, I have several available options to adjust volume. That volume knob, my Razer Mako speakers directly, the media controls on the Blackwidow…but that knob is just so easy, so deliciously tactile. It doesn’t do the Blackwidow justice that the media keys are shared with the function keys, and that the FN key itself is lodged between the right alt and Windows key.

That is to say that I’m a picky bastard. Because even though I loved the X6 when it came out (and it still is a wonderful keyboard), the typing experience on the Blackwidow is kickass. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I love it.

The Razer Blackwidow is available for purchase from Amazon for $73.12. The Razer Blackwidow Ultimate is also available from Amazon, for $155.99.

4 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Wonderful visual design
• Great for MMO and general gaming with all keys programmable
• T1-T7 keys are brilliant

Cons:

• Mid- to high-profile keys are mushy, soft
• Two USB cables required for keyboard and backlight
• Several minor gripes, like the name and single function key

Games come and go, but MMOs are forever. Whether it’s Everquest, World of Warcraft, Eve Online or another version of digital crack, they all have one thing in common: a ton of commands, a smorgasbord of functions. That’s part of what makes MMOs great, that players can do so much, and have so many different abilities that it takes not hours, but days to learn, and sometimes years to master.

Having such vast capabilities is strenuous for gamers, and thus MMO gaming keyboards sprouted to accommodate. Most just take a standard keyboard and tack on anywhere from 6-18 programmable keys. Others use software to make every key programmable and drop macro-specific keys entirely. The Razer Anansi meshes both concepts together, without making the keyboard huge and putting on too many keys. Instead Razer employs a minimalist design. The Anansi is shockingly small average looking, but under that very old-school keyboard shell is a dazzling, ethereal masterpiece.

Taking a look at the Anansi removes all doubt that this is just another keyboard. As you saw in our first look, it’s anything but average. Sleek glossy sides and a crisp black coating make the Anansi stand out the most, but that’s just the start. The font on the keys is sharp and loud, yet refined. The secondary functions are visible, but they don’t stand out. Glass on the top right hides the indicator lights for Caps, Scroll and Number lock, without anyone taking a second guess. The Anansi doesn’t look like it was designed by a game peripheral manufacturer, but by someone who almost nabbed a designer job at Apple.

It really does look good, like the Anansi was made to be just as stylish as it is functional. Playing games when you can customize any key is nothing new, though Razer does an excellent job with their software for the Anansi. Users can assign any function to any key instantly with the downloadable drivers, or by hitting the macro recorder key and typing away. This feature is nothing new, but it works excellently nevertheless.

What’s more important are the macro-specific keys, those extra keys included specifically for programmed functions. The Anansi includes 12 in total, five on the left side of the keyboard, and seven beneath the spacebar. This placement is unique, to say the least, and ingenious. Most of those can be reached by a left-hand thumb, and unlike needing to move over to one side of the keyboard, using these keys requires little to no change in your current hand posture. These T1-T7 keys are also thinner, lower-profile and differently shaped so they don’t match other keys or get in the way. If you’re just typing away, users won’t accidentally press these keys. They’re well made and well placed.

For gaming, the Anansi is great. On the fly key adjustments with the macro recorder works flawlessly, and keypresses read just fine. While the experience you have will be wholly different – no two people will use identical custom key settings – using those T1-T7 keys is something I believe will be universally adored.

Dual USB cables would be fine if the Anansi also acted as a USB hub

It’s actually outside of gaming that I found my troubles with the Anansi. First and foremost is the 2-USB cable design. The first USB cable connects the keyboard to the PC, while the second powers the backlight…which raises the question, why is that necessary. Hundreds of keyboards do both in one cable. Is the LED backlight so much more powerful that it requires its own USB cable? I already use all eight of my USB ports, I really don’t want to be forced to either unplug something or use a USB adapter for a backlight.

Next is the name. I can just imagine the conversation people have discussing their gaming hardware. “I have a G19.” “I have a Tarantula.” “I have an X6.” “I have an Anansi…” It sounds like a deer playing cards with a lion, tiger and bear, oh my. That’s not even mentioning that Razer is once again breaking their animal nomenclature for a fictional character, or that every time I have to actually speak the word it feels more proper to say “Ansani”. Heck, I struggled with it in the unboxing video, which is partly why I scrapped it entirely and just had a quick first look.

Finally, and definitely most pertinent to heavy typers, is the key design. These are medium-profile rubberized keys, and they feel mushy and soft, not clicky and springy. Now, this is a realm of personal preference. My experience is that everyone likes their keyboards differently from the next person over. My preference is for mechanical, low-profile keys, like the old IBM Thinkpad laptops, most recently seen in the last IBM-labeled Lenovo line of Thinkpads a few years back. For me, typing on the Anansi was mediocre. I could do it, but I wasn’t enjoying the length per keypress and the feel of the keys. For gaming, that didn’t make any difference. Once again, feel of the keys is personal preference.

The Anansi’s software allows for immediate and simple keyboard customizations

Included with the standard keyboard are not additional function keys, but a built-in function key and the F1-F8 keys acting as media keys when pressed in tandem with the FN key. This model is a smart way to maintain a reasonable size for the pad without adding extra buttons. However, I was annoyed far too often that there was only one FN key, by the right CTRL, and not a second one on the left side. As many heavy computer users and PC gamers, I keep my left hand on the keyboard while my right hand moves between the mouse, keyboard and media keys. The Anansi’s design forces me to use my right hand to hold down the FN key and my left to press the media keys.

The Razer Anansi certainly has potential and does many things right. It’s a strong gaming keyboard and will suit many MMO gamers thanks to both every key being programmable and the below-the-spacebar T1-T7 keys. Exquisitely designed and sleek, the Anansi is a great keyboard. However, using 2 USB ports is excessive; the keyboard’s name is weird; I also found the typing experience far less than stellar (once again a personal preference). These few things are a significant hindrance to an otherwise great keyboard, which frankly makes it more difficult to score. The annoyances add up over time, and so do the great features. I struggled between 3.5-4 stars until I decided that MMO gamers are far more interested in the gaming features than anything else. That is to say the Anansi is a good keyboard with plenty of room for improvement. I look forward to the Anansi V2, whenever it comes around.

The Razer Anansi MMO Gaming Keyboard is available at Amazon or direct from Razer for $100.

Razer’s Anansi MMO Gaming Keyboard is the peripheral maker’s first MMO keyboard. In fact, this year is a huge year for Razer, after revealing the Switchblade, and practically announcing the release of the Onza Xbox 360 controller, Ferox portable speakers, and the Hydra motion controllers. Thing is, we have no idea when the rest will be available…but the Anansi is in my office right now.

Hit the jump to watch our first look video on the Razer Anansi.

I’ve been playing with the Anansi for about a week, and as far as MMO keyboards go, it’s solid and sleek. If it weren’t for the M1-5 keys on the right and T1-7 keys below the space bar, the Anansi would look like a standard keyboard with contoured sides and a decent backlighting system. Of course, even with the 12 program-specific keys, every single key on the keyboard can be programmed, as we learned a few months back.

As shown in the video above, the Anansi has seven media keys that overlay the F1-F3 and F5-F8 keys, and work when pressed in tandem with the function key. Surprisingly, there is only one function key, beside the right Alt key. The F11 key cuts off the Windows start key, but not the Windows drop-down. In fact, before installing the drivers that key functioned properly, but after installing drivers it now acts as a mouse right-click. This can of course be adjusted.

Installing the drivers is easy, and only requires going to Razer’s website and downloading them (or by clicking here). The installation process takes just a minute, but does require a reboot.

So far, I like the keyboard, but it’s not the best for typing. My measure of a good gaming keyboard is how good it is all around, and not just for gaming, because we all use one keyboard per computer (ironically, I use two normally, or three when testing a new one). The keys are high profile and very springy, but spongy, as is expected with rubberized keys. The backlight system is weak for the keys but too intense for the Razer logo, which sits in the center of the keyboard, directly below the right hand when typing.

I do like the design, for the most part. The glossy sides look stunning. The clean look of the light-up Razer logo does too, as does the LED display on the top right. I almost want to keep Caps Lock, Scroll Lok and the G-key all active just to keep their symbols lit up. The Anansi does require a second USB for lighting, which I find odd, and was problematic for me because I already had 5 of 6 USB ports taken.

However, I still need to play around with the Anansi a bit more before giving a full review, so stay tuned! A full review of the Razer Anansi MMO Gaming Keyboard is coming soon.

We have a sneaking suspicion that isn’t the first iPad compatible piano to hit the market, and in all likelihood nor will it be the last.

From the minds of Ion Audio comes the Piano Master, a 49-note keyboard complete with midi support.  Includes is a 1/8-inch headphone jack input, speakers, sustain pedal and we assume an accompanying iPad app to help you learn piano sans teacher.

The linked product page is pretty sparse on detail, so price and release date are still unknown.

Read

5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• The best typing experience currently available
• Stable design plus two-pronged USB hub

Cons:

• No media controls or backlighting

As a product reviewer for over four years, it’s easy to be cynical towards most anything. Great gadgets are hard to come by, and are overshadowed by a lot of crap. But every once and again something spectacular happens: an absolute treasure comes across, and it changes everything. Life without it is never the same. Going back to the old way without it feels…like something’s missing.

That’s the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent.

The last mechanical keyboard I tested was way loud. When I saw the Das Keyboard, I told their spokesman that if it were too loud, I’d point that out as I did before. Mechanical keyboards are, as a rule, loud, but I’ve used past models that were low profile and quiet. The build quality should always be based around the entire typing experience, not just how the keys feel when typing.

Das Keyboard’s Model S Professional Silent doesn’t disappoint. In fact, I can’t stop typing on it. Going back to my old, non-mechanical keyboard has been next to impossible. Typing on rubber keys feels like a toy, not a productivity tool. And as someone who spends most of the day in front of a keyboard, I feel liberated.

The Model S is not large, but hulking. It holds the weight of the world, and in a good way. Stability is a dominating factor for this keyboard, one that isn’t lost on users. To type 120 words per minute, the keyboard needs to stand firmly in place and take the pounding.

And it does. The design aesthetic is not provocatively pleasing, and yet the glossy top is sleek and lean. Functionality reigns supreme for the Professional Silent, barely different from the Professional, which lacks the soft keys which dampen the sound without affecting the feel of typing. Sure, the Professional Silent is loud, but not painfully so or even distractingly so. Put on some headphones or music and you’ll drown the sound right out, yet still keep that resounding click for each keypress. Like a mechanical keyboards should.

As a very standard keyboard, the Professional Silent comes with only a few amenities. It has two USB connectors, one for the keyboard and one for the built-in two-pronged USB hub on the right side. A PS/2 adapter is included, which eliminates ghosting. This is best for extremely fast typists or gamers who use more than six simultaneous button presses. I’ve tested with both the USB and PS/2 adapters, and both work excellently.

The only thing missing from the Das Keyboard are media controls and backlighting, which many have grown fond of with recent keyboards. There’s no adjusting volume, playing, pausing or muting music. It’s also much more difficult to type in the dark, though as I found with the Matias Tactile Pro 3, backlighting changes the way the keys are made, and they don’t feel the same, so perhaps that’s for the best. If such a solution for backlighting mechanical keyboards were available, I’d love to see it.

Saying the Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent is a great keyboard is an understatement, and doesn’t do the keyboard justice. Instead, I’ll simply ask: where have you been all my life?

2.5 out of 5 stars

Pros:

• Great feel, contoured keys, excellent feedback
• Included USB ports and symbols are excellent

Cons:

• Ridiculously loud
• Caps lock is poorly designed
• Expensive

As far as mechanical keyboards go, there is no better typing experience. Well, unless you want to go really old school with typewriters. Even then, most typists these days don’t have the stomach for a mechanical keyboard. They love the feel, but hate the noise. This dying, and nearly dead breed of keyboard, is barely a remnant in today’s keyboard marketplace.

So what about the Matias Tactile Pro 3?

Matias, well known for making mechanical keyboards specifically for Macs (which likewise work for PCs – this one was tested mostly on a PC), has come back with their acclaimed Tactile Pro with a new, updated version. The Tactile Pro 3 is the keyboard that makes you feel like a human being again, not just Data on a touchscreen.

Why? The buttons are real. They feel real, and they sound real. As a mechanical keyboard, typing on the Tactile Pro 3 feels like a dream. The keys give way and bounce back comfortably, much better than any other feedback design, even though they’ve closed ranks over the years. Each keypress has that resounding click, the one that can’t be imitated, the one that makes you know not just by the sense of touch, but by sound that you pressed the key.

This all, the exceptional typing experience, comes at a high price. At $150, you’re paying more than most gamers pay for a high-end keyboard and mouse. It’s not the most expensive keyboard on the market, but this price tag is nothing to snuff at. But perhaps the bigger price is the taxing sound pollution. At first the heavy sound will bring back warm memories of typing on an old IBM model M keyboard, but after a few hours it becomes painful to listen to. Writing this review and testing the keyboard, I often reverted to listening to loud music, often wearing headphones (Logitech’s G930’s, for obvious reasons).

More importantly, I’ve spent a lot of effort into protecting my hearing from loud noises, and typing too much on the Tactile Pro 3 actually hurts my ears. This starts to happen after about 20 minutes, though it doesn’t get unbearable…just annoying pain, like hearing a high-pitched but quiet whine, or a mild toothache. It’s not only the noise level, but the sharpness of the clicking that makes it so uncomfortable to listen through. As good as the typing experience is, it’s not even close to being worth it due to the noise. For me, this is a clear deal-breaker.

If, however, you’re older, a bit hard of hearing, listened to too much loud music as a child, partially (or fully) deaf, or in any other way hearing impaired, or if you use noise cancelling or sound-protected headphones regularly, then I highly recommend this keyboard.

Made for Mac but also functional on PCs, the Tactile Pro 3 has two secondary functions for every major key on the keyboard, all of which are accessible by holding down the option key, or the shift and option key while typing. While briefly testing on a Mac, these secondary functions proved useful. Unlike on a Windows machine, where most of these symbols have to be searched for or the alt code remembered (does anyone even use those anymore?), these symbols are all readily available. Just a quick look on the keyboard and bam, whatever symbol you need is typed out in seconds.

The contoured keys feel great

Matias planned well, including three USB 2.0 ports on the keyboard, which has proven on several occasions during testing to be excellent. My desktop switches between 4-8 simultaneous USB connections at a time, thanks to a huge influx of hardware peripherals and external devices to test, like cameras and phones. Having three additional ports, even if they aren’t full-speed (especially when connecting multiple devices simultaneously), is great.

One particular annoyance with the Tactile Pro 3 is its caps lock key. As someone who never uses the shift key (I know there are others out there), I instead use the caps lock for uppercase. The problem? It isn’t tactile like the rest of the keyboard. While all of the keys feel mechanical, this one feels rubber…and not just rubber, but extremely uncomfortable. The problem with it is the built-in light, which the numlock key has an identical problem with. My typing is seriously diminished whenever a capital letter is required because the caps lock is just so different from the rest of the keys, though I don’t expect most users to find this to be problematic.

What it really comes down to for the Matias Tactile Pro 3 is noise disruption. If you’re OK with sharp sounds, then there is little wrong with this board save for a few annoyances. Besides that, and the steep price, the Tactile Pro 3 is a great keyboard, and excellent to type on, save for the caps lock. Frankly there’s plenty to hold it back, but the typing experience is still one of the best you can find on any keyboard out today.

UPDATED.  Logitech‘s Wireless Solar Keyboard is, well, wireless and solar powered.  What more do you need to know?  It will stay charged up for up to 3 months in a dark room and can glean power from indoor lighting. The keyboard itself is just 1/3-inch thick and includes Logitech’s unifying receiver. To keep tabs on battery juice their is a solar app, but alas it’s only Windows 7 compatible.

We assume Logitech’s Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 ships November 15th because that’s when the app will be available for download.  You can preorder it for $79.99

Update: Checkout our Logitech K750 Solar Wireless Keyboard review.

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The BulletTrain Express emulates, and tries to improve on the MacBook Pro’s keyboard feel. It’s an all aluminum ‘case’ that fits the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard and the Magic TrackPad. Is it worth $99, when, essentially, it does nothing more than stand there and look sort of, debatably, pretty?

Its makers however are not as unsure of its beauty, calling it “a super-stylish, super-ergonomic keyboard that is built to last” and “the best looking keyboard ever made”. Their whole theory regarding the usefulness of this keyboard is that laptop keyboards provide your hands with a natural resting surface that’s higher than a desktop’s keyboard. So if you subscribe to that idea, buy this device.

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If you own an iPad, one big question is how do you use it? For mostly email checking and web browsing? Perhaps light typing and work? Or moderate to heavy tasks such as picture editing, office tools and more? Thanks to over 10,000 apps available solely for the iPad, it can really do just about anything you need.

But once again, the question is how do you use your iPad?

Thanks to Apple (for sending a review unit and letting me keep it for so long), I’ve had the opportunity to test out the iPad Keyboard Dock (MC533LL/A) for four months. Most product reviews don’t work that way. We want to test it out and get a review up ASAP. But as Gadget Review is undergoing sweeping changes, some leniency has been made with when reviews go up, at least for the time being. And oh what a difference a few months makes.

The Keyboard Dock is fantastic. It feels good, it looks good when plugged into an iPad, and it works great.

The keys are higher profile (deeper) than those on Apple’s Wireless Keyboard, which provides a uniquely better typing experience than the latter, more popular Bluetooth keyboard. The Keyboard Dock, made specifically and solely for the iPad, feels great to type on. While I described how good the Wireless Keyboard feels, the iPad Keyboard Dock is even better, thanks to springier keys.

As a dock, the Keyboard Dock connects to an iPad via Apple’s 30-pin connector, the same found on every iPod and iPhone. The iPad slides right in and sits firmly in place, mostly due to the iPad’s weight. To use the Keyboard Dock with the iPad, the iPad must stay in portrait, which is a shame. Today’s proliferation of widescreens makes typing on a vertically long screen odd, even if actual writing is done in portrait on paper.

That said, the Keyboard Dock doesn’t take into account iPad owners who protect their iPad’s with cases. A case on the iPad, such as Apple’s own official iPad case, prohibits connecting the two devices. While for the first month of testing the Keyboard Dock I wasn’t using a case, the latter three I did. Removing the case is already difficult, and doing so just to plug into the keyboard seems ludicrous when one can just as easily use a Bluetooth keyboard instead, and keep the iPad in its case, in either portrait or landscape mode.

In effect, the iPad Keyboard Dock’s greatest competition is Apple’s own Wireless Keyboard.

What stands tallest against this fierce competitor are dedicated iPad keys. Instead of standardized function keys on the Keyboard Dock (F1, F2, etc.), the Keyboard dock uses very specific functions, with icons that each feature an image of the respective key. These functions include returning home, spotlight search, changing the brightness settings, starting a picture slideshow, media and volume controls, and a lock function. Using these keys while on the iPad is so easy and intuitive that it often becomes a burden to use the Wireless Keyboard in its place.

In fact, after using the iPad Keyboard Dock significantly, using the Wireless Keyboard becomes a burden because these functions keys aren’t available, though perhaps they should be in subsequent releases.

The Keyboard Dock also requires no power to function, simply the iPad. If, like me, you find yourself charging your iPad only once or twice a week, it may feel superfluous to always charge it, and the Keyboard Dock is no exception. Apple smartly made the Keyboard Dock draw power from the iPad itself, so it requires no power source to type, nor any cables to clutter your workspace.

That doesn’t mean it’s convenient to move the Keyboard Dock. In a household, sure, moving it from room to room is fine. But you cannot type with it on your lap, because the weight distribution is such that it wouldn’t stay upright. It’s a shame that the dock was designed solely for a desk. As for traveling abroad, it’s too large to fit in a bag and heavy too. The back panel sticks out too much, and was clearly not made for such. Better to stick with the Wireless Keyboard away from the home.

An unforeseen bonus for iPhone and iPod Touch owners is that the keyboard works with all iOS devices. Naturally, Apple doesn’t support the iPhone or iPod Touch with the iPad Keyboard Dock, and at times error messages will appear saying that the hardware is not suitable. Nonetheless, it works, and quite well, both for charging and typing. Typing quick notes on my phone before leaving for some engagement is always better on a real keyboard, and using the Keyboard Dock speeds up matters tremendously.

Ironically, the lack of usability with the iPad Keyboard Dock is greatest limitation. For $70, it seems reasonable to expect that it would at least function as a standard keyboard on a Mac, but no. This is a one-trick pony, which is a shame considering it is a more comfortable typing experience than the Wireless Keyboard.

In spite of this, what really makes the iPad Keyboard Dock so great is that it brings back that feel of a typewriter. Perhaps not noisy or old-fashioned, but simple, to the point, and all about typing. Sure, it’s limited, but that is intentional. When you set your iPad in this dock, the world can disappear. You can type in peace, on a great keyboard, on this generation’s typewriter. Pages takes the place of paper and ink ribbons, and the keyboard does the rest. The distractions so often associated with today’s computing is greatly lessened, in part due to the iPad’s software design, and this keyboard exploits that. The iPad Keyboard Dock makes typing simple again.

Target, via Amazon has the Apple iPad Keyboard Dock for about $76 including shipping.

Explaining why a keyboard is good or bad is a unique challenge, compared to other products. How a keyboard is isn’t a scientific study. Instead, it’s entirely based on feel and functionality, and ultimately, the keyboard that’s right for you will nine out of ten times be based solely on the former.

And as a company which specializes in making distinctive products centered around a smaller, wholly unified ecosystem, Apple has done a tremendous job with the Wireless Keyboard. This keyboard, which ships with every Apple desktop, is undoubtedly across millions of homes today already. I’ve tested this one out for the past four months, and it’s gone everywhere with me, from home to work, on the road or plane, and beyond.

What have I found? Apple’s Wireless Keyboard is the best Bluetooth and travel keyboard, period.

It feels great to use. The Chiclet keys have ample push and they are a pleasure to press. The low-profile keys are more like a laptop’s keyboard than a desktop, and often it feels as close to a business-class laptop. While they don’t match the typing experience of some older mechanical laptop keyboards, it’s a strong second place.

The overall size of the Wireless Keyboard is also remarkable. While most current owners undoubtedly leave it sitting at their computer desk, doing so is a waste. I’ve traveled far and wide with this keyboard, and use it daily. It’s so thin, at just 1.4”, that throwing it in my bag is no burden. In fact, I’ve come to appreciate it as a secondary divider in my bag, often keeping my laptop’s power cable separated from one or more binders.

Battery life is a dream. Apple rates the battery life, running on just two double-A batteries, at nine months. Nine months! I can’t confirm that lifespan, but I’ve used it for four, and have found no indication that the batteries are near empty. The only reason I even remember that there’s a battery in the keyboard is because of the rounded base, which keeps the keyboard at a slight angle.

I’ve come to love and use the keyboard so much, that at times it replaced my desktop’s Microsoft Sidewinder X6. At the office, I don’t even use my laptop’s built-in keyboard anymore. I even bought a Bluetooth dongle just for this keyboard, and it was probably the best investment I’ve made in the past six months.

Sure, there are a few improvements that could be made. Considering how many people use the Wireless Keyboard strictly in the home setting, I see no reason why a detachable number pad isn’t included. The X6, which sits at my desktop currently, uses an ingenious system where the numpad connects via magnets on either side of the keyboard. The same principle could apply here, and it could work with a number pad or Apple’s Magic Trackpad. I assume there may be some trouble with using magnets with travel in mind, but I’m sure there’s a simple solution for that as well.

One last, and perhaps trivial downside, is its lack of iOS incorporation. Unlike the iPad Keyboard Dock (to be reviewed later this week), the function keys are useless on all iOS devices, except for brightness. If iOS functions were built into the Wireless Keyboard’s design, it would suddenly, and instantly, have far greater appeal, especially since so many iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad owners are not necessarily Mac owners.

As for me, I own neither a MacBook nor iMac. All of my machines are Windows-based, and they all register the Wireless Keyboard equally well. Windows die-hards will have to acclimate to the moved control key, but otherwise, this keyboard is an incredible work of design and engineering. Not only does it “just work”, it does so fashionably, efficiently, and comfortably. I use the same keyboard across four separate devices, in numerous locations, and it always performs excellently. I couldn’t ask for a better keyboard.

Apple’s Wireless Keyboard requires a Bluetooth-ready PC or Mac to operate. It retails for $69.99 at all major electronics retailers.

UPDATED. ThinkGeek started purely as a retailer, but now they’ve expanded to product development and boy am I excited for the latest one, the iPhone Case with Flip-out Keyboard.

They’ve got a version for the 3Gs and the iPhone 4 and it will cost just $50 when it comes in stock.

It attaches to the iPhone just like any case and sports a swivel out full QWERTY keyboard that stays closed or open thanks to a magnetic lock.   If you’re thinking or hoping that the connection is made by way of the 30-pin dock, you’re wrong.  Bluetooth, sweet, sweet Bluetooth.  Which means you don’t have to have the case attached for it to work.  We just wonder if it will work with the iPad as well?  Built-in to the case is a rechargeable battery that charges via USB, though there is no word on battery life.

ThinkGeek says that it will ship 11/23 and that quantities will be limited.

I’m not into physical keyboard, but I’m excited.

Update: Checkout our Thinkgeek’s TK-421 iPhone Bluetooth Keyboard Review.

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