[.uk] Logitech Wave Keyboard

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

Wave Keyboard:
If it's your first experience with this type of keyboard, it takes some time to get used to. Once you've adapted to the "wave" style, it's very comfortable to use. The padded wrist rest is wonderful, as is the 'feel' of the keys as you type. The only negatives, for me, are the height of the keys, and all the extraneous ones. I have some hand/finger problems; so, while the key height bothers me a bit, it may not be an issue for other users. I would find it more comfortable if all the keys were set just a bit higher. The "extra" keys that I cannot use with my operating system are set on the outer edges of the keyboard, so they are out of the way. Much nicer than the old, rectangular style keyboard that came with my Dell. Definitely a product I'd recommend.

Very nice keyboard:
I would recommend this keyboard, just take a look at the pros and cons before buying: Pros - Nice wrist cushion - Keys are pretty quiet, though I've found keyboards that are even less noisy - Programmable keys are easy and convenient - The shape of the keyboard is very comfortable and ergonomic - Corded, not wireless. This may be a con depending on what you prefer. Personally for me the keyboard doesn't ever really move and the wire never gets in the way like it might for a mouse, so there is no reason to need to put batteries into a keyboard. If you keep the keyboard on your desk a wireless keyboard may look nicer. I'll let you decide if this is really a pro. Cons - The only real con is that it can take a little getting used to. I use my computer about 4 hours a day and it took 2-3 days to get comfortable on the keyboard. Once used to the shape however, it is definitely an improvement over a standard keyboard. - This keyboard is pretty large, especially with the the extra buttons and the wrist rest. It fits fine on my desk, but I could definitely see it being a problem on a smaller desk as some people have already noted. Overall I would definitely recommend this keyboard, just note that it is large and not wireless. Otherwise very comfortable and rather quiet keyboard.

From a Software Engineer:
Hi. I'm a software engineer who spends most of his day at the keyboard. I've used the Logitech Wave for a whole day and I have to say that it's been a great experience so far. I'm using it with Windows Vista SP1. Pros: This keyboard is very quiet to type on. It also seems that I don't have to move my hands as much when I type because the keys fit my natural finger positions better than my last keyboard. The resting pad for your wrists/palms isn't too hard or too soft; it supports my hands very nicely. The curvature of the space bar keeps it readily available. My thumbs seem to be always resting on it, giving them support and shortening the distance I need to move my fingers to push it. The Caps Lock key is definitely out of accidental reach but not so much that you can't find it when you want to turn it on or off. The curvature of the arrow buttons allows you to feel which direction they are pointing, and the higher outer lips of these keys makes them great for gaming (no chance your fingers are going to slide off or miss the keys). Same holds true for the number pad -- the concave shape of the number pad keeps your fingers there (I'm guessing this would be good for you accountant types out there). Most importantly, my wrists have remained pain-free. Even after a full day's work and typing this review, I have no dull pain in my wrists. The main reason behind purchasing this was to alleviate the discomfort I was having with a Microsoft keyboard. Cons: The +/= key is tiny. They may have over-sized the Backspace key just a little too much, consuming a good chunk of the +/= key's width. As a software engineer, I type the = sign quite often. I've gotten used to the fact that the key is smaller, but it was definitely awkward at first. The Function key replaces the context-menu key if you're used to a Microsoft keyboard. Not that this key gets used much at all, but now you have to press Function + Print Screen to get the context menu. The document flip/window switch key on the left hand side is conveniently where I like to drop my hand when I'm thinking and not using the keyboard -- I've accidentally pressed it a few times, almost to the point where I might just disable it or assign a less annoying and halting function to it. If you're used to having the num lock, caps lock, and and scroll lock lights in a readily visible area, this keyboard is a bit of a change from that reality. The lights are positioned underneath the number pad, which I kind of like. They are out of the way and not distracting, but when I've looked for them they weren't easily spotted right away -- I have to turn my head to see them instead of just looking down. The function keys (F1 - F12) are grouped into sets of 3 instead of groups of 4 like most keyboards. It was hard for me to get used to having the F5 (typically Refresh) key in between two other keys instead of at the beginning of the second group, but alas, now it's smack dab in the top middle of the keyboard, which I'm sure I'll get used to eventually. Lastly, not really a pro or a con, but: The keyboard has some pretty tall built-in feet, so this keyboard may sit almost an inch higher than the one it may be replacing. I had to raise my chair about two inches in order to adjust for the new height of this keyboard (I have it on my desk, not in a tray or drawer under the desk) Conclusion: Overall, this is the best-feeling keyboard I've ever owned and my second from Logitech. Previously I used Microsoft's Natural (split-key) and Multimedia keyboards (standard), but I'm happy to be back with a Logitech. The wave of the keys conform perfectly to my fingers and typing habits, and the slight curvature of the layout does reduce strain on my wrists. Although it's got a couple of nuisances, I'm confident that I will become more familiar with this keyboard and have many pain-free programming sprees in the future.

Excellent form factor and extra keys. Wireless version unavailable as standalone.:
Note: I love this product, but I've rated it very low on the off chance that my review will be more visible and widely read -- I've rated it very low because you cannot purchase a wireless version without buying the mouse/keyboard combo. I'm enthralled with this keyboard, and so are several individuals who purchased it after seeing/using mine. My goal in purchasing this item was to attain a more ergonomic keyboard. I think this keyboard satisfies my goal. In my opinion, the best features of this keyboard are its form factor and its zoom, media, and the (programmable) function keys. This keyboard is very comfortable, though it takes a little bit of practice to get used to (as with any keyboard); you will find yourself hitting two/three keys at once, especially keys that are 'angled in towards each other.' I use its playback keys constantly (play/pause, volume, back/forward, mute), but I have fallen out of the habit of using the other shortcut keys included. My major gripe about this product is that I could not purchase the wireless Wave keyboard without purchasing the mouse/keyboard combo. I was VERY upset with that limitation, as I use Logitech's MX Revolution mouse, which is a fantastic wireless peripheral. I feel that having a wired keyboard defeats the purpose of having a wireless mouse, which is why I'm still upset with Logitech over this.

Awesome keyboard:
Longtime Mac user, I've been using Apple keyboards for over 15-years. But, compared to the Logitech Wave, they are junk. This board feels great, looks great and saves me time with all the shortcut keys and programable functions. I'm hooked.

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