GUIDE TO COMPUTER KEYBOARDS

Logitech Wave Keyboard

Manufacturer : Logitech
In Stock : 47

List Price:	$49.99
Price:	$40.98
You Save:	$9.01 (18%)

Features

Logitech Inc
Wave Keyboard USB

Product Description

Catch the wave with the Logitech Wave Keyboard - the exciting new shape of comfort. It's created for hands just like yours, with contoured, uniform-size keys that cradle your fingers naturally while the curved keyboard promotes a more ergonomically correct hand position.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.

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

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 3.50 out of 35 reviews

Rating :
Nice keyboard,especially for touch typists - Richard Schreiber, May 14, 2008

Good keyboard, nice feel and an integrated wrist rest. I'm a geek typist, not a touch typist, so my finger positions are not 100% compatible with the wave, but I'm learning to use this keyboard over time, which will probably help prevent carpel tunnel disease.

If you are a touch typist you'll appreciate this keyboard, since it was designed with you in mind.

Rating :
Great keyboard, comfortable and solid - koolman2, May 03, 2008

At first I kept hitting the wrong keys, but after the short learning curve of maybe an hour, I realized what a nice keyboard this is to type on. There is one downside, however, and that's if you ever type one-handed.

The curvature of the board makes it somewhat difficult to do; but that's not what the board was designed for, so it isn't reflected in my rating.

Rating :
Everything I Hoped For - Tmann, Mar 18, 2008

Even though I gave this keyboard a test drive in a brick and mortar store before purchasing it from Amazon, I wondered whether I would like it long term. Well the answer is a resounding Yes! I have mild carpel tunnel and was experiencing a lot of neck and shoulder pain when I used a conventional keyboard. The Logitech Wave keyboard has helped to reduce it significantly. What I like about this keyboard is the fact that even though it is an ergonomic model it doesn't have a radical shape, so I did not have a difficult time adjusting to the location of the keys. So far I have not found anything to complain about. I would recommend this product to anyone needing some relief from wrist or neck pain.

Rating :
No complaints - dbb, Feb 13, 2008

Had the keyboard for a couple of weeks, and I have no complaints. It's quiet, smooth, and everything works.

Rating :
Awesome! - , Feb 11, 2008

After much searching and waiting for a 'ergonomic' keyboard for right-handed 'b'-key pressers, I finally found one. It is quite comfortable, and is very easy to get used to coming from a straight keyboard. It's probably not the most ergonomic available, but if you type the letter 'b' with your right hand, this keyboard is extremely recommended. I was slightly disappointed with the feel of the keys at first, I thought they were too soft and not enough spring, but after 1 or 2 days, I am completely used to it and love how it feels.

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