I like extra function keys, ones that you can assign yourself, and preferably a few on the left of the keyboard.
But that's just me.

Alt Gr is useful for me, I use keyboards/layouts on which keys can have a third function assigned, Alt Gr invoking them. Much less clunky than using the substitute, Ctrl+Alt. Helps with things like the degree or multiplication signs (among others), as in 46 °C or 1680×1050.

Personally I like "2.5 key" sized Enter keys (the lower half is shorter than the top half - the reviewed Enter key is indeed ginormous), and I can't type on US keyboards without making an accidental Enter keypress every 3 to 7 seconds because I'm used to my old ways too much. Now if it were a character mistake, I'd say "oh well, I'll learn it eventually", but Enter mistakes are serious business so I've given up with US keyboards.

That's sexy, and the review was humorous and concise! Well done.

If only Enermax offered a non-borked Enter key arrangement (curse my inbred key-arrangement bigotry!). Further examination reveals all their keyboards are of European convention... bah!

It just so happens that I'm in the market for a new keyboard due to a lovely spill. I think I'll get the Logitech UltraX that Tamale recommended. Although I'm thinking I might benefit from one of those rubber-coated roll-up keyboards given my desire to have large, awkward containers of liquid in close proximity to my workspace.

i don't understand the complaints over small vs large enter
i've used both and it doesn't take long to adjust
but it's probably coz i'm not a 'pure' touch-typer
either way i've never accidently pressed the large enter

real keyboard annoyances are the adjusted layouts of the insert-to-pgdn keys
or the extra row of keys above/underneath those six... one of them being power/reset
or changing the arrows keys away from the upside-down-T layout

there's also the grouping of F keys in 3's instead of 4's
it's not too bad but it feels better when it's in groups of 4

back to the enermax though, i don't mind it if it's planted as solid as scott says
i also wouldn't mind the headphone plug built in to the side

If you like scissor-key action and a normal-sized enter key, you can't go wrong with the logitech ultra-x for $20:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126022

I use this thing for all my articles and heavy typing work, along with all my serious gaming.. it's fantastic at both and in over two years of use and abuse its only sign of wear is a little paint rub-off (which isn't even that bad thanks to the under-paint material being a similar gray to the silver finish)

laptop-style keyboards FTW!

i prefer the Ultra-X also ... i have 3 or 4 of them (if i have 4, i've lost one X). they even have a few buttons, which can be taken over in Winamp and probably other apps, too... my only wish was that it had a native volume button... :-/

retarded expensive.

the Logitech Ultra-X laptop style keyboard does the same shiet for under $20.

I have an Enermax Caesar (TY techreport). I have to say, it's by far not the perfect keyboard. It's nice and sturdy and durable, but I don't really like enermax's keyboard layout.

Not to mention some serious audio conflicts on Vista X64 with using the plug-in audio connection.

I would rather suggest to people a Saitek, honestly.

Anyone tried a Lenovo ThinkPlus keyboard? They are basically ThinkPad keyboards (with an "UltraNav" pointer and touchpad).

My right hand jumps back and forth from mouse to keyboard often, I was thinking there may be something to be gained from switching to a keyboard like this and getting used to the pointer.

The only downside is that the 'Fn' key is in the bottom left corner, with the Control key to the right of it. I use the Control key fairly often when working on/with Linux machines, so It's a fairly large downside for me. (Though I guess I could do the whole 'remap caps lock as ctrl' thing.)

With Num Pad:
https://www.directlenovo.com/public/public/products/details/dsp_pro...t_note.cfm?product=31P8950&category=82&ecim=&con...[lenovo.com]

Without Num Pad ("Travel" model):
https://www.directlenovo.com/public/public/products/details/dsp_pro...t_note.cfm?product=31P9490&category=82&ecim=&con...[lenovo.com]

The Aurora's operation is vastly quieter than that of a mechanical-switch device like an old IBM Model M or a Das Keyboard, but to me, the tactile feedback that comes with each keypress is just as unmistakable, which renders any more obvious audible feedback unnecessary.

I shudder to think what a buckling-spring keyboard would sound like under my fingers.

On a laptop I find that I hit the keys rather ... intently. I am probably as loud with a laptop keyboard as some are with loud desktop keyboards. If you've watched the film Swordfish when Hugh Jackman is "cracking" some password under ... duress ... that's what I sound like when typing normally on a laptop.

That really *is* a dead-sexy keyboard. Are the key caps removable?

Why the outrage over not popping off a key or two? Are you planning on overclocking the thing?

Only keyboard that's really designed for that kind of abuse is the Model M and derivatives, and even then, I've never found it necessary.

Typed on a Unicomp Model M.

I just bought the Logitech Illuminated keyboard. It has the same sort of "laptop feel" mechanism and flatter keys.

I find that this is HORRIBLE for gaming. On my old Logitech keyboard, the keys were indented nicely and it made it very easy to find the homerow whether or not I was looking at the keyboard or not. For some reason, with the flatter keys, I find it much more difficult to find homerow if I take my hands off the keyboard for any reason. This has gotten me killed quite frequently when gaming. I find I have the same issue with my Mac wireless keyboard. Flat keys are no good for gaming and can be a bother for regular typing as well.

I am debating selling it and getting a more traditional keyboard.

What? No benchmarks (like typing a letter on this vs your old Model M)? No disassembly slash geek-satisfying internal parts shots? No overclocking?? I liked TR better when it was all about take it apart and see how it works than the virtual store once removed it's become lately.

I'll buy it when the windows key is a linux key (penguin icon)

Sounds like a great keyboard except for the audio issue. Is it one USB plug or several? i.e. One for the keyboard, one for audio and one for USB hub? Is there a option to disable the audio on the keyboard?

Pachyuromys has been banned for being a jerk, but also for being variously known as rogue, riadbsc, and gratuitous--and earning our scorn under each name. What a winner.

Dude, quit coming back.

Mods: His IP info will be posted in the moderator forums. Let's watch this among new sign-ups who exhibit... signs. :)

I've been a split keyboard user for a while now but I find it odd that nobody makes a black, well-made, ergonomic keyboard that doesn't have a dozen or more extra keys for thinks like MSN, shopping, and links to documents and music folders.

I'm on the MSNEK4000 at the moment and it's okay but nothing like the Natural Elite I used to have (which was so good to type on I could almost overlook the gimped arrowkey configuration).

A large enter key is always a deal maker for me.

Hrm, I've got an Aurora on my desktop, and it has a normal sized enter key and a double-width backspace key. Might be cos mine is UK layout I guess. The only problem I've had with mine is that the number 3 key on my keypad doesn't so much click as crunch, and I can't figure out why - there's nothing stuck underneath it, nor is it broken in any way that I can identify. Oh well, minor issue really :)

For some reason, this is one of those keyboards with an "enter" key the size of Montana and a "backspace" key the size of a Chiclet. This I do not understand.

Maybe you should try asking other people why a big enter is good. I personally am always on the hunt for normal-sized Enter key keyboard, and those are so few and far in between these days, that Aurora maybe the welcome ray of light in a kingdom of darkness.

Amazingly despite having a larger-than-life Enter key, I have on several occasions mistakenly pressed the Delete key instead. But I have never ever pressed some other key instead of backspace, despite making more typos than I'd like to admit to.

RAAAAAAAAAAAARWWHWHGGGH!!!!!!!!!!!! JESUS!

I was under the impression that only in Australia were we stupid enough to import the UK format (L shaped, large enter key) model.

Correct me if I'm wrong of course but I'm assuming the reviewer is in the USA? What the hell!
http://images.google.com.au/images?q=enermax%20aurora&hl=en&um=1&ie...

They most definitely make them with the correct US format.
UK format is useless to me, I require consistency from PC to PC - stuff that noise, what a shame.

I like my apple keyboard :)

I do have a question regarding the USB and audio. Does using the USB hub automatically make the keyborad a USB audio device as well, or are the two USB functions separate?

Well, I have the older version (non-premium) and I agree entirely that it is a joy to use, far better than any of those clunky, loud keyboards that other geeks seem to love.

The older version doesn't include an integrated audio controller, acting instead as a giant extension cord for microphone and audio jacks. This is a feature I've used for my Skype headphone/mic (plugging into motherboard onboard audio) and has worked well. Given my general dislike of USB audio, I'm disappointed to see the switch, but I'm not wholly surprised.

USB2.0 hubs are always nice (older version had 1.0), but I personally have no need for it, what with several being available on my monitor and two on the front of my case.

All in all, sounds like a mild improvement from the older model, but I have no reason to upgrade given that these keyboards appear as if they'll last forever. If and when better layouts arise, I thoroughly recommend this keyboard. It seems expensive, but you won't be disappointed.

Thanks a lot Tamale.