Buying a keyboard or mouse, to most people, does not seem like
an important consideration; however, there are several options to help relieve
stress as well as to enhance the overall performance. Below is a listing of
considerations to look at and think about before purchasing your next
keyboard or mouse.
KEYBOARD
CONSIDERATIONS
Extras
Keyboards can have several additional
options not found on other keyboards. Below is a listing of some of
the more commonly found extras and a brief description on each of
them.
Extra Keys
There are several keyboards
today that are included with extra keys. It is recommended
that any users planning on using Windows ensure that the
keyboard comes included with the Windows keys. These keys
are similar to shortcut keys or the open apple key on the
Macintosh computers, and allows for portions of windows to be
quickly run or minimized.
Identification
Keyboards with finger print
identification are, unfortunately, sometimes to difficult to
locate for users who are in the United States; however, there
are several companies now making keyboards with finger print
identification. This allows your computer to lock and then
be unlocked with the touch of a finger.
Mouse
Some keyboards may include a
touch pad (mouse) on the keyboard. This allows for a
function of a mouse close to the keyboard. For space
considerations, this is an excellent option. If, however, you
have the space and have not used a touch pad before, it is
recommended you do not consider this option as it will
generally increase the price of the keyboard dramatically.
Special Keys
Like the above section 'Extra
Keys', special keys are additional keys on a keyboard that
perform special operations. A good example would be to have
a keyboard with extra buttons that run the Internet, CD
Audio player or open your E-mail. These keyboards are included with a new computer, but can also be purchased
off of the Internet through various vendors.
It is important to note that these keyboards rely on
software to run the different programs and may only work in
certain operating systems.
Interface
The interface can be an important
consideration for any users who may be running short on available
connections on their computer. Below is a listing of available
interfaces for computer keyboards.
AT
AT style is not found on new
computers but was commonly used on PC computers in the
past. If AT is available, it is recommended it be used for
your keyboard interface unless something else is connected
to it.
Additional technical information on the AT (Din5)
interface can be found on our PS/2
help page.
Infrared
Infrared interface is used with
wireless keyboards. This allows users to have a clean
looking desk or be able to easily move the keyboard
anywhere. Many infrared keyboards have an adapter that
is used that connects to the PS/2 port (also available as
USB) and that is used to accept the wireless keyboard data.
One important consideration to think about before
purchasing an infrared keyboard is the batteries. Like an
infrared remote found with almost every TV today, an infrared
keyboard will also require batteries to send information to
the infrared receiver. Look at the type of battery the
keyboard uses as well as the average length of battery time
in the keyboard.
Additional technical information on infrared can be found
on our infrared page.
PS/2
PS/2 is one of the most commonly
found interfaces on IBM Computers today. It is recommended
that if this port is available it be used. Users with USB
options may also consider using a USB keyboard as opposed to a
PS/2 keyboard.
Additional technical information on the PS/2 interface
can be found on our PS/2 help page.
Serial
Serial is not a common option
for computer keyboards but is available. If your PS/2
port is not available and there is not a USB option
available on the computer, consider purchasing a serial
keyboard.
Additional technical information on the Serial interface
can be found on our Serial port
page.
USB
USB is becoming a popular
solution for users who have or are building a new computer.
If you are considering purchasing a USB keyboard, ensure that
the keyboard will work from a MS-DOS prompt (this means BIOS
must support USB natively). While this is available, not all
computer manufacturers (motherboard manufacturers) implement
it or support it.
If the USB keyboard is not supported natively, this means
when you wish to do anything from MS-DOS or need to change
anything in the computer BIOS, an AT, PS/2 or Serial keyboard
will need to be connected to the computer.
It is also important to note that some keyboard
manufacturers will include USB MS-DOS drivers that can allow
the keyboard to work from MS-DOS. This, however, will not
allow the keyboard to work in the BIOS.
Additional technical information on the USB interface can
be found on our USB page.
Style
The style of the keyboard today can be
an important and sometimes confusing decision. Below is a listing of
the most commonly found styles of keyboards.
Ergonomic
An ergonomic keyboard, or natural
keyboard, is a style of keyboard that is more ergonomically
designed. This means that the hands will be positioned in a
more natural position. This keyboard looks similar to a
standard keyboard, however, it is split in the middle, offsetting
the keys where the two hands lie. For all users this will
feel awkward at first but will soon become natural.
Users who play first person shooting games and use the
arrow keys, verify that the arrow keys work for you. Many
individuals find that the arrow keys are very difficult to
use as they have been completely changed. Some keyboards
come with very un natural keys and others come with the
standard keys found on most keyboards.
An picture of this keyboard can be found on our keyboard
page.
QWERTY
QWERTY is really a type of a
keyboard and not a style. However, QWERTY indicates how the
layout of the keys are. This is the most commonly used
keyboard and should be purchased unless you are looking for
a different type of keyboard such as the DVORAK.
A layout of this keyboard can be found on our keyboard
page.
DVORAK
DVORAK is again really a type of
keyboard and not a style. However, DVORAK is a keyboard used
by computer professionals and individuals who wish to
improve the speed of their typing. Because of the wide use
of the QWERTY keyboard, many users should consider
using it instead of the DVORAK. However, the DVORAK does
increase the speed of typing and is an excellent solution
for users who may already use a QWERTY keyboard elsewhere.
A layout of this keyboard can be found on our keyboard
page.
Wrist pad
Keyboard wrist pads are available for additional
comfort and less strain on the wrists. It is important to
note that this can also be more of a discomfort for many users and
that your wrists should not be setting on a surface but instead up
on the air while you are typing.
MOUSE
CONSIDERATIONS
Extras
Like the keyboard, a computer mouse can
also have several different options available. Below is a listing of
some of the more common extras available with computer mice.
Buttons
Many mice today have at least
two buttons; however, there are also available mice with 3, 4
or 5 buttons. While this may seem like too much, these
buttons can be generally programmed to do commonly done
tasks.
Color
There are several colors
available for mice today. If you are looking for a
particular color of mouse, ensure that it is considered when
looking at purchasing a computer mouse.
Wheel
Now a commonly used and found
item on a computer mouse. The mouse wheel allows users to
scroll through pages without having to move the cursor to
the scroll bar. This feature is very helpful and convenient
and is highly recommended.
Software
Software is another important
consideration when looking at a computer mouse. Many mice
with additional extras, such as additional buttons or a
wheel, will come with software. This software allows for the
buttons to be programmed differently. An example is the
Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer mouse that has the two side
buttons where your thumb lays. These buttons by default are
used to go forward or backwards in a web browser. However,
using the included software we have programmed these buttons
to page up and page down.
Mouse Pad
When purchasing a computer mouse, if you
do not already have a mouse pad, you may want to consider a new mouse
pad. There are literally millions of available options for mouse
pads. If you are purchasing a mouse pad that has a special feature,
such as a wrist pad, ensure to try the mouse pad before actually
purchasing it as it may be more of a discomfort for you to use.
It is also important to note that there are options to have
pictures or text printed or scanned onto the mouse pad. This can
make an excellent gift as well as a great way to have pictures on
the desk of your children, family or other types of pictures.
Interface
The interface can be an important
consideration for any users who may be running short on available
connections on their computer. Below is a listing of available
interfaces for a computer mouse.
Infrared
Infrared interface is used with
wireless mice. This allows users to have a clean looking
desk or be able to easily move the mouse anywhere.
Many infrared mice have an adapter that is used that
connects to the PS/2 port (also available as USB) and that
is used to accept the wireless keyboard data.
One important consideration to think about before
purchasing an infrared mouse is the batteries. Like an
infrared remote found with almost every TV today, an infrared
mouse will also require batteries to send information to the
infrared receiver. Look at the type of battery the mouse
uses as well as the average length of battery time in the
mouse.
Additional technical information on infrared can be found
on our infrared page.
PS/2
PS/2 is one of the most commonly
found interfaces on IBM Computers today. It is recommended
that if this port is available it be used. Users with USB
options may also consider using a USB mouse as opposed to a
PS/2 mouse.
Additional technical information on the PS/2 interface
can be found on our PS/2 help page.
Serial
Serial is a common alternate to
the PS/2 port for computer mice. If your PS/2 port is not
available and there is not a USB option available on the
computer, consider purchasing a serial mouse.
Additional technical information on the Serial interface
can be found on our Serial port
page.
USB
USB is becoming a popular
solution for users who have or are building a new computer.
One possible issue with USB mice is that users who wish
to have their mouse working in MS-DOS must have USB mouse
drivers and/or USB drivers loaded.
Additional technical information on the USB interface can
be found on our USB page.
Type
The type of the mouse can be an
important consideration when looking at a computer mouse. The
majority of mice today are Optical Mechanical mice, which use a ball
and rollers to control the movement of the mouse. This is a great
solution; however, they can be not as precise as other solutions. A new
technology that has become widely available is the optical mouse.
These mice use a light to control the movement of the mouse and are
an excellent solution for a mouse.
One issue that we have received complaints about with the widely
available optical mouse from Microsoft is that if a hair gets into
the 'eye', the mouse will become erratic and can cause frustration
when playing a network game. However, it is important to note that
this mouse requires no cleaning that is a great feature when
compared to the Optical Mechanical mouse that requires cleaning
every few months.
Additional information about the types of mice can be found on
our mouse help page.
