There have been many, many, many different keyboards for personal computers over the years. Ergonomic boards, tough boards, media boards, gaming boards: boards that climb on rocks… and there have been a few that many people like, but they become discontinued and obsoleted in favor of the company’s next generation products.
One of my favorite keyboards was the Microsoft Natural keyboard… it had media functions, programmable keys, a good ergonomic feel, and a new “delete/home” (with an enlarged delete button) that I’ve grown accustomed to. Sadly, this keyboard is hard to find, and the few extra features of Microsoft’s latest ergonomic keyboard are just plain useless.
An answer to the super-ergonomic keyboards are the new “wave” type of keyboards, which appear to be a hybrid between a regular flat keyboard and ergonomic. The keys are usually curved so your fingers don’t have to reach so far to hit the top row of keys, and some are slightly cupped to cradle your finger’s natural position. Logitech enters the fray for your fingertips with their new “Wave” keyboard.
Overview
One-touch controls give you direct access to many of the new features in Windows Vista™, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets. Programmable F-keys add instant access to favorite applications, games, folders, and Web pages. A cushioned palm rest encourages a relaxed position for typing.
- Wave key design: Contoured wave-shaped key design conforms naturally to your fingers.
- Constant Curve design: A curved profile and uniform-size keys promote an ergonomically correct, more comfortable hand position. Start enjoying the benefits instantly, without having to re-learn typing on a different keyboard layout.
- Cushioned, contoured palm rest: The soft surface encourages a relaxed position for long typing sessions.
- Adjustable keyboard height: Use the three-way tilt legs to set the height to suit your personal style.
- Audio cable management: Keep headphone cords out of the way by routing them through the channel on the underside of the keyboard.
Control and Convenience
- Easy access to Windows Vista™: Large, one-touch controls give you direct access to key Windows Vista™ features, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets.
- Instant media access: Use the convenient one-touch controls for volume and media playback. A dedicated button starts Media Center and Front Row.
- Programmable F-keys: Get instant access to favorite applications, games, folders, and Web pages with customizable F-keys.
Package Contents
- Logitech® Wave Keyboard™
- Plastic keyboard dust cover
- CD with software, comfort guidelines, and help center
- Quick Start guide
- 5-year limited hardware warranty
- Full product support
Logitech’s Wave is not only a hybrid ergo, but has plenty of features to keep gamers, music listeners, and even office workers satisfied. The bottom of the keyboard has a soft leather-like cushion, which is comfortable, but not as luxurious as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic. The back of the keyboard can be raised two positions, for those who like that soft of thing. (I absolutely HATE all keyboards that raise from the rear). The keyboard is rounded and raised up from the desk, so a mousepad slides under the edge seamlessly (I hate it when there’s a gap between my mousepad and my keyboard).
They keyboard is laid out well. There is no seperation between the left and right halves of the keyboard (as every ergonomic keyboard does), but the keys are “cupped” slightly. Alternately, the spacebar has a “wave” shape where the center of the spacebar is raised where both of your thumbs will naturally rest. They Delete/Home/PageUp bank uses the new style that Microsoft introduced (and subsequently did away with in this latest generation). The Alt keys also have the “Apple squiggle” icon, for those who want to use this keyboard on a Mac . The windows “start” key is also called the “option” key for the Microsoft-impaired.
On the left is a Zoom In/Out button and task switcher button. The top of the keyboard has a Control Panel shortcut key and My Photos shortcut key, which works with Windows Vista. The top center has all of the media controls you need (Back, Forward, Play/Pause, Stop, and volume up and down). To the right of the media keys are “My Music” and “Media Center” shortcut keys. None of they keys (except the media keys) work without the included software, but are completely programmable.
The right side of the keyboard is interesting. The arrow keys are slightly larger than a normal keyboard, which might be good news for gamers. The numeric keypad is pretty standard, although is cupped slightly and the corners are rounded. Above the keypad is a Calculator button and recessed “Power” button (both of which work without additional software), which puts your PC in sleep mode. Below they keypad is the standard keyboard LED status bank (Caps lock, Num lock, Scroll Lock).
Thankfully, the most unused keys on a standard keyboard no longer have a dedicated key. The “right click” and scroll lock keys are still available, but you must hold the Fn key to access them now. They keys are also absolutely quiet… even quieter than the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic. They keys take a little more effort to press, especially when compared to a laptop keyboard which usually only require a light touch.
The F keys are different than Microsoft’s methodology. I’m all for replacing the ambiguous “F” keys with something that’s more meaningful, but Microsoft keeps trudging ahead with their horrible F-lock mechanism. Not only are the alternate functions of the F-keys not useful, but the usability is horrible… you can never remember if the “locked” state is the normal function or the new Microsoft function.
Logitech takes a different approach to the Function keys. The “alternate click” key (between the right Alt and Control keys) has been replaced by “Fn” keys similar to the extra accessible functions of a keyboard. The Function keys operate like a normal F-key, until you use the Fn key to trigger its alternate use. This, in my opinion, is a much more usable system. Unfortunately this functionality doesn’t work out of the box, and requires Logitech software to work. I am never a fan of another layer of software for something as basic as a keyboard.
Logitech Wave Fn Functions
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The Logitech Wave is one of the new hybrid keyboards coming out that’s not quite a standard keyboard, but not completely ergonomic, either. Super-ergonomic keyboards cater to the desk jockey, and as such are getting fewer and fewer features that cater to the average person. The Wave fits right in between… it has lots of features for those who user their computer for fun as well as an office user.
The design doesn’t scare off ergonomic users or “traditional” keyboard users. The keyboard layout makes for a more relaxed shoulder and hand position, but not as much as the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard. If I use a regular flat keyboard for more than an hour than I totally need a shoulder and hand massage, but using the wave doesn’t stress my body in this way.
The Wave also has lots of cool features that have been omitted from Microsoft’s latest generation of keyboards. The “secondary” F-keys have been replaced with more useful setup, media controls are plentiful, the Home/Delete bank is of the newer type, and the keyboard lights are tastefully put away so they’re not annoying.
All in all, there’s a lot to like about the Logitech Wave keyboard. Its features will appeal to today’s “average” computer user, but may not satisfy the elitist ergonomic user. I would prefer to see an ergonomic keyboard with robust gaming and media features, but with the popularity of “wave-like” keyboards I think the ergos will become a niche speciality item.
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