Logitech Wave Keyboard

• Logitech Inc
• Wave Keyboard USB

Amazon.com Product Description:
Logitech is touting an advancement in comfort and usability design with its ergonomic, cross-platform Cordless Wave keyboard. There might be some marketing hyperbole to this claim, but after a week of typing with the Wave, I'm not sure that I could live without it. Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Wave includes an elevated palm rest, though not as extreme as the platforms of old. It's also covered in a lightly padded vinyl upholstery that feels soft yet firm under the wrist, as well as a Goldilocks amount of tackiness (i.e., not too slippery, not sticky, just right). The keys are also positioned in a gentle U-shaped arc that nearly escapes the eye, but is apparent once you set your wrists down and start typing. Contoured, wave-shaped key design conforms naturally to your fingers. But the biggest design innovation that the Wave introduces comes from its name--the keys undulate across the board in a wave-shaped contour that mimics the changing lengths in your own digits. The keys are at their highest on the outside at the A and Enter keys (which, if you're a touch typist, is where your little fingers are positioned), and the keys trough to their lowest point at D and K (where the longer middle finger resides) before rising slightly at the G and H keys. The keys have a maximum distance variation of 4mm, and the spacebar mimics the wave contour of the keyboard design. As someone who writes for a living, my computer keyboard is one of the most important tools I have and one that I'm connected to for hours every day. I've gone through many models over the years to get just the right one, and I currently use the Matias Tactile Pro on my Mac as it provides some of the best keystroke feedback I've found (which is the polar opposite to the frustratingly squishy keyboards that came with my HP and Apple PCs). While the rolling contour of the keyboard layout was barely perceptible, my fingertips took to the Wave easily. It felt like each key was indeed designed specifically to fit the finger that was mapped to tap it. And the keys combine a springy action with a final tap that's not too loud, but both tactile and audible enough for instant feedback. As my week of testing progressed and my fingers grew more accustomed to the Wave, I actually felt as if my typing was both more accurate than on the Tactile Pro as well as a touch faster. From an ergonomic standpoint, the Wave's gradual curve isn't immediately noticeable, but after a few days I found my elbows weren't hunched next to my body as they were with the straight keyboard, freeing both wrists and shoulders from strain. That said, if you require more substantial ergonomics for your typing (such as the curve and height of the Microsoft Natural), you might be disappointed by the relative flatness of the Wave. The Delete key has been elongated and the Insert/Help key moved above.. The Wave has a fairly standard extended keyboard design, with one change that I cheered but could easily be jeered by others. The Home/Delete/End/Page Up & Down keys is switched to a vertical orientation, and the bane of my typing life--the Insert key (also the Help key on the Mac), which I often hit mistakenly when hunting for the Delete key--has been moved up (moving into the Scroll Lock key position) and replaced by an elongated Delete key. Another handy feature is onscreen notification of when you hit the Caps Lock key (another one of my touch typing transgressions). The keyboard is supplemented by a plethora of system-specific feature buttons--including Flip 3D, Gadgets and Media Center in Windows Vista (aka, Expose, Dashboard, and Front Row on the Mac)--as well as quick access to your selected audio program and full playback controls (including volume). All functions can be customized using the included Logitech Setpoint utility (or Control Center within the Mac's System Preferences). When I began reviewing the Cordless Wave, I wasn't looking for a new keyboard. But thanks to its excellent typing action, unique comfort features--from the contoured design of the keys to the padded wrist rest--and the plethora of customizable functions right at the tip of the finger, it's time to part ways with my old keyboard. --Agen G.N. Schmitz Pros: Innovative contoured design of the keys conform naturally to your finger lengths, excellent typing action Padded vinyl wrist rest adds soft comfort and allows easy movement Loads of function and multimedia buttons, all customizable using included software Cross-platform, including compatibility with special features in Windows Vista Nicely lightweight--great for use on the lap Cons: Shifting of some keys might annoy some, but delight others Might seem flat to those who need more substantial ergnomics

GREAT KEYBOARD, bad drivers:
This is an extremely comfortable keyboard with lots of great features. Unfortunately, it uses Logitech's notoriously buggy drivers. All Logitech keyboards, mouses, and such use Logitech SetPoint. If you buy a Logitech product and SetPoint installs correctly, you will be happy. Unfortunately, SetPoint sometimes does not install correctly, in which case, you will have an advanced mouse or keyboard that does not implement any advanced features. This is what happened to me with the Wave keyboard. I am running a typical PC with XP Pro SP3. SetPoint will not install, so all the advanced features of the Wave keyboard don't work. I am trying to fix the problem and have been in touch with Logitech's technial support for over three weeks. The process is painfully slow. Try this and let me know what happens. When trying this doesn't solve the problem, it takes Logitech support 3 - 4 days to get back with the next suggestion that doesn't work. In summary, if you buy this keyboard and the supporting Logitech software installs correctly, I think you will love this keyboard. If the software does not install correctly and you have to try to deal with Logitech support, I suspect that after a couple of weeks, you wil find yourself looking for another keyboard.

Excellent Ergonomic keyboard:
I've used various Microsoft Natural Keyboards for years, and the Logitech Wave Keyboard is the only non-split keyboard I would ever consider using all the time. For people who need an ergonomic keyboard but don't like the split/natural keyboards, this is an excellent choice. The function keys are programmable, but unlike Microsoft's recent keyboards, the special functions are optional, not the default. It also includes the requisite media keys, which are out of the way so you won't accidentally hit them, as well as some Vista-only keys I have not used as I don't have Vista. I have very few quibbles with this keyboard. I do wish is had a PS2 connector instead of USB; sometimes the keyboard's response isn't as good as it would be if it was PS2. Sometimes the shift keys don't register, but again that could be because USB isn't as responsive as PS2. And finally the F4 key is mis-labeled F3; it still acts as an F4 though.

Excellent buy:
Not much more I could think of in a design that could be better. Best keyboard I've ever owned and much easier to type on than those weird angled ones Microsoft put out years ago. Would be a 5 except for the zoom buttons don't seem to do anything and I can't even get a response from the support forum on it. Another slight deduction for the music controls. Buttons are too close together and too touchy. Easy to accidentally hit the forward button when trying to pause.

Ergonomic????:
Up to now, I've been using the Microsoft 3000 and 4000. The 4000 was my last keyboard. I love the feel of the 'slanted' keyboard but I hated the buttons. They have way too much travel and it has that 'sticky' feeling I don't like. I just got this Wave today. My first impression was that this wasn't a real ergonomic keyboard. Not like the 4000 anyways. I can tell because my wrist is still at an angle and there's some discomfort after a few hours of use. The keys are laid out straight like a standard keyboard. The face is slopped but your wrist is still bent at an angle like a standard keyboard. For me, that's the uncomfortable spot. As for the keys, I love it. It's soft and doesn't have a lot of travel nor does it 'stick'. If I could transfer these keys to the 4000 platform, I'd have the perfect keyboard.

Comfortable keyboard.:
Pros: 1. Comfortable Design. 2. Adequate number of customizable keys. 3. Not very noisy. 4. Palm rest. Cons: 1. The software on CD didnt install correctly and i couldnt remap the "F" keys. Had to update the software in order to get it working. Once updated no problems yet. I have had no major issues yet apart from the software installation in the beginning. Very well priced for the design and features. I have yet to figure out where the Zoom keys work (Maybe Vista only. i am on xp.). Would definitely recommend it.