Wednesday, February 18, 2009

A Brand New Set of Keys!

February 18, 2009

One boring Thursday night as I was looking for something to do to kill time while I was out, I decided to pay a visit to the soon-to-be forgotten techie haven, Circuit City. I thought perhaps I could find a great deal on something…although, there really wasn’t anything I needed. As I entered the store, I made my way to the Nintendo Wii aisle, only to find a jumbled hodge-podge of generic games and accessories. Nothing that struck a chord with me. So I proceeded to the Nintendo DS section: nothing there either. I met the same fate in the CD and DVD aisles. Just as I was beginning to think my voyage had been all for naught, I had an epiphany: I realized I should go to the computer accessories. I began by looking at DVD-R and CD-R cases, then mouses (or, is it mice?), browsing through an endless line of broken displays, shelves in disarray, and other miscellaneous junk…until I eventually I made my way to the computer keyboards.

I have been in the market for a new computer keyboard for awhile. The one I had been using at work was dirty, there was gunk in between the keys, the buttons were too clicky, and because it was a wireless keyboard, the receptors had been on the fritz for quite some time. Most of the keyboards at Circuit City were your relatively basic, run of the mill standard keyboard. As my eyes perused through a sea of white and gray keyboards, occasionally I would stop to tap a key or two in order to measure the comfort level of typing on a particular machine. Nothing was really jumping out at me, so I began to button my coat so I could leave the store.

But then my eyes saw it.

The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 (v. 1.0). Just the sight of it forced a slight gasp to escape my lips. The keyboard’s contemporary black and silver motif gave off a cool vibe, like I would instantly be a little hipper with it in my office. The leather comfort cushion (notice that I didn’t say “wrist guard”…this was more than that) gently whispered that carpal tunnel would never have to be in my vocabulary. The wave design across the top of the keyboard was as intriguing and curiosity-inspiring as the gap between the left and right hand keys.

And then I tried it out. The keystrokes were soft and gentle, like a summer breeze. They weren’t too loud, yet, they still made the comfortable soft “tap, tap, tap” that I love to hear as a reassurance that I’m working on something important.

I was sold. I had to have this machine.

Being the savvy business woman that I am, however, I did not want to fork over my own cash for a work-related item. So I hurried into work the next day and presented my case to my boss/dad. He gave his approval and I ordered the keyboard from Amazon (for slightly cheaper than Circuit City’s “closeout” price, mind you).

And then I waited.

Five.

Agonizing.

Boring.

Dirt-filled keyboard, aching wrist days.

Then, on a bright and cheerful February morning where it’s just cold enough to keep you alert, but not cold enough to make you miserable, the UPS man (my hero) walked into my office carrying a box.

It was my keyboard!

I hastily signed the UPS man’s electronic pad and grabbed my scissors so I could open the box.
As I pulled off the last piece of packing tape and carefully opened the flaps, a choir of angels began to sing the Hallelujah Chorus and a bright light shone around my new incredible office tool.
–I realize that I am being a tad dramatic; it’s only a keyboard afterall. But as
a self-proclaimed office supply geek, this is genuinely how I feel about this
piece of equipment. I get a natural high when I walk into staples, okay?–


And so as quickly as I possibly could, I unwrapped the keyboard and installed it.

I will say, the keyboard was a little difficult to get used to for the first day or so. Typing with a space in between your left and right hand is a strange thing. But it’s only day two, and I’m already almost back to my regular typing speed.

I am amazed at the features on this keyboard. I have buttons for web browsing, a slide bar for zooming –in OR out–, various programmable “favorite” buttons, one-click volume controls, and even a calculator shortcut button.

If you’re in the market for a new keyboard, or you just want a piece of office equipment to brighten your day a little, please consider the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic keyboard 4000 (available wherever fine computer equipment is sold). You will not be sorry.