On our desk this week - 8 - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 27th Jun 2006, 13:00

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/06..._desk_8/1.html

Gunsmith · 27th Jun 2006, 13:10

hmmm the can cooler is tempting......

hitman012 · 27th Jun 2006, 13:14

That Microsoft keyboard is very good value for what it is. Their hardware is always quality - definitely worth buying.

logan · 27th Jun 2006, 13:18

A can cooler you say?
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=98833

This post was particularly noteworthy:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost....3&postcount=41

DougEdey · 27th Jun 2006, 13:23

Only £4 more then my standard one. Couldn't believe the build quality on this KB.

Will have to get it when I get my job started!

quack · 27th Jun 2006, 13:23

Very tempted by the MS keyboard for work.

Bindibadgi · 27th Jun 2006, 13:23

http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/06..._desk_8/6.html

mod project tbh.

excession · 27th Jun 2006, 13:42

What's the button on the top right of the MS keyboard? Just above the number pad?

olly_lewis · 27th Jun 2006, 13:43

That Microsoft keyboard is a nice looking, ergonomic keyboard, does it come in a wireless option? Though even if it only comes in a wired config, it still is a nice looking and styled keyboard.

Also, that media man external HHD enclosure/ encoder looks quite nice, but the price neends to drop like a lead balloon. The design is a biut hit and miss but the remote is a nice looker and looks like it will fit in a hand quite snuggly.

But the best item on the desk this week, has to be the Coolit beverage chiller, fts nicely on desk and beats a minifridge for price and size, every time....

Captain Slug · 27th Jun 2006, 14:06

<- still uses a ball mouse

Veles · 27th Jun 2006, 14:25

THat drinks cooler sounds pretty cool, tempted to try and find one of those.

BioSniper · 27th Jun 2006, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by excession

What's the button on the top right of the MS keyboard? Just above the number pad?

A quicklaunch key for the calculator.

I have a Comfort Curve and its pretty darned nice, I think I bought it a fair few months back from amazon for about a tenner (its gone up on there now, doh) though I find the proper split ones more ergonomic and didnt like the laptop keys much (at first) having now used it for about 4 months I can say its pretty nice to use.

If you get one beware: It gets bloody dirty bloody quickly. unless you clean your keyboard regularly after about 3-4 days of exposure it will naturally get pretty dusty and the keys show all sorts of dirt and body oils and looks grim.
Also another worthy note, it doesn't rise much from the desk which is a slight niggle. I would rather it have a bit more or an angle to it.
If you can tolerate it, buy a "proper" MS natural one, but if you want a keyboard that will work well, has a very nice key press and genrally helps your wrists a bit get the MS Comfort Curve.

Oh yeah. and I found it to be narrower than pretty much every keyboard I put it against.

DXR_13KE · 27th Jun 2006, 14:53

how does the cooler work internaly?

bloodcar · 27th Jun 2006, 15:04

The keys that are enlarged on the keyboard aren't enlarged because they're the most common keys used. They're enlarged because if they were normal sized then they would be awkward to hit while typing properly.

ChromeX · 27th Jun 2006, 15:47

The microsoft keyboard and cooler look really good! I need a new kb cos this one sucks and a drinks cooler is a must. How many times have you been sitting in your room with a can of beer or whatever and it gets warm while your playing games. Think i'll treat myself tomorrow!

EK-MDi · 27th Jun 2006, 15:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitman012

That Microsoft keyboard is very good value for what it is. Their hardware is always quality - definitely worth buying.

It is good yes, but not perfect. As in, it's not wireless

. So close to being my next purchase

.

eddtox · 27th Jun 2006, 16:17

@ChromeX: I reccomend the MS Wireless Natural MultiMedia Keyboard (and the intellimouse explorer 2 while I'm at it). I've had it for about six months and I absolutely love it. Having never used a natural keyboard I found it a bit odd at first, but after about an hour I was converted. It has proper keys (i.e not laptop :P) and it feels very "natural". It gets five stars from me.

-ed out

lepre · 27th Jun 2006, 16:38

i had the MS keyboard curve 2000 black for a while now and i'm very proud of it. with only 15euros it's nice and not too big and it helps you to write "more correctly".

i remembered about the enlarged keys only when i read it here...i totally forgot it

and the calculator button works in linux too!!

the only problem is that it doesn't work with a ps2/usb adapter so with old motherboard it's a bit tricky during boot (i have a ps/2 keyboard connected too under the desk)

ralph.pickering · 27th Jun 2006, 16:42

It's a pity the bottom of cans aren't flat. I'd suspect that when it comes to surface area, the amount of can exposed to air trying to warm your drink versus the tiny amount of surface area actually touching the cooling plate will mean that your coke is still going to end up at room temperature if you don't drink it quickly enough.

A mini champagne bucket design would be a much more efficient way of cooling your cans. Or simply get one of those mini fridges.

blaffer4x4 · 27th Jun 2006, 17:00

ralph.pickering,
now go, go and mod!

27th Jun 2006, 13:00	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	On our desk this week - 8 http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/06..._desk_8/1.html __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

27th Jun 2006, 13:14	#3
hitman012 What is a Dremel!? Moderator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bristol / London Posts: 4,811	That Microsoft keyboard is very good value for what it is. Their hardware is always quality - definitely worth buying. __________________ "Nothing is more practical than a good theory" - Kurt Lewin

27th Jun 2006, 13:18	#4
logan flashback! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Doncaster, UK Posts: 874	A can cooler you say? http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=98833 This post was particularly noteworthy: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showpost....3&postcount=41 __________________ logan.uk.net

27th Jun 2006, 13:23	#5
DougEdey I pwn all your storage Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 13,933	Only £4 more then my standard one. Couldn't believe the build quality on this KB. Will have to get it when I get my job started! __________________ Burnout: Paradise Stats!XBL: DougEdey Bindi PSN ID: DougEdey Twitter

27th Jun 2006, 13:23	#6
quack \o/ Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: England Posts: 5,222	Very tempted by the MS keyboard for work. __________________ Denying Rights to Music lovers. Denying Rights to Movie lovers.

27th Jun 2006, 13:10	#2
Gunsmith my supersonic radar will help me! Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,432	hmmm the can cooler is tempting......

27th Jun 2006, 13:23	#7
Bindibadgi Richard Swinburne bit-tech Staff Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Omnipwntent Posts: 28,281	http://www.bit-tech.net/bits/2006/06..._desk_8/6.html mod project tbh. __________________ Made you look, made you stare, made you clicked this in your underwear! Den of Geek!

27th Jun 2006, 13:42	#8
excession What's a Dremel? Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 9	What's the button on the top right of the MS keyboard? Just above the number pad?

27th Jun 2006, 13:43	#9
olly_lewis Hypermodder Join Date: May 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 756	That Microsoft keyboard is a nice looking, ergonomic keyboard, does it come in a wireless option? Though even if it only comes in a wired config, it still is a nice looking and styled keyboard. Also, that media man external HHD enclosure/ encoder looks quite nice, but the price neends to drop like a lead balloon. The design is a biut hit and miss but the remote is a nice looker and looks like it will fit in a hand quite snuggly. But the best item on the desk this week, has to be the Coolit beverage chiller, fts nicely on desk and beats a minifridge for price and size, every time....

27th Jun 2006, 14:06	#10
Captain Slug Infinite Patience Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: USA Posts: 1,404	<- still uses a ball mouse __________________ Past Project: Baby Mk.V \| Current Project: Metal Slug \| My Guide To Machining Plastics

27th Jun 2006, 14:53	#13
DXR_13KE Madeira's banana is the best!!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Madeira ; Portugal Posts: 6,476	how does the cooler work internaly? __________________ *Renegade X - 0.40 Release!* <---- CLICK!

27th Jun 2006, 15:04	#14
bloodcar Mod Master Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mentor, OH Posts: 2,133	The keys that are enlarged on the keyboard aren't enlarged because they're the most common keys used. They're enlarged because if they were normal sized then they would be awkward to hit while typing properly. __________________ <+DougEdey> you getting PGR4 mitmit? <mitmit> not me, Geoff is probably wanking like a lepper at the thought of it though

27th Jun 2006, 15:47	#15
ChromeX Ultramodder Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,368	The microsoft keyboard and cooler look really good! I need a new kb cos this one sucks and a drinks cooler is a must. How many times have you been sitting in your room with a can of beer or whatever and it gets warm while your playing games. Think i'll treat myself tomorrow! __________________ 3Ghz P4E, asus P4C800E-deluxe, 2GB OCZ (2x1024), Sapphire HD 3850, SB audigy 2 zs

27th Jun 2006, 16:17	#17
eddtox Supermodder Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Medway Posts: 345	@ChromeX: I reccomend the MS Wireless Natural MultiMedia Keyboard (and the intellimouse explorer 2 while I'm at it). I've had it for about six months and I absolutely love it. Having never used a natural keyboard I found it a bit odd at first, but after about an hour I was converted. It has proper keys (i.e not laptop :P) and it feels very "natural". It gets five stars from me. -ed out

27th Jun 2006, 16:38	#18
lepre Supermodder Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Italy \| brescia Posts: 256	i had the MS keyboard curve 2000 black for a while now and i'm very proud of it. with only 15euros it's nice and not too big and it helps you to write "more correctly". i remembered about the enlarged keys only when i read it here...i totally forgot it and the calculator button works in linux too!! the only problem is that it doesn't work with a ps2/usb adapter so with old motherboard it's a bit tricky during boot (i have a ps/2 keyboard connected too under the desk) __________________ Teh Case coming soon............maybe (well...by now it's just a lian li a05b )

27th Jun 2006, 16:42	#19
ralph.pickering Supermodder Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 321	It's a pity the bottom of cans aren't flat. I'd suspect that when it comes to surface area, the amount of can exposed to air trying to warm your drink versus the tiny amount of surface area actually touching the cooling plate will mean that your coke is still going to end up at room temperature if you don't drink it quickly enough. A mini champagne bucket design would be a much more efficient way of cooling your cans. Or simply get one of those mini fridges.

27th Jun 2006, 17:00	#20
blaffer4x4 Modder Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 50	ralph.pickering, now go, go and mod! __________________ Yesterday is yesterday. If we try to recapture it, we will only lose tomorrow.