Aluminum Keyboard
Based on a recommendation given to me by a chat room regular (thanks, Moonglaive!) – I purchaed a Enermax KB002U AURORA keyboard the other day. It arrived on my doorstep this afternoon, and I’m happy to report that it’s replaced my long-standing favorite (the Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro). I unboxed the peripheral live on camera, but nobody really recorded the first keystrokes (no big loss there). My initial impressions are positive – it works, it’s relatively comfortable, and is amazingly quiet.
I wasn’t really won over by the brushed aluminum design, although it compliments my Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 quite nicely. For me, having those extra USB ports is nice – which was why I was holding out for the never-to-see-daylight Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 (they keep pushing back the release date). I had to give the Aurora a shot:
- Hairline brushed aluminum design
- Massive aluminum frame with diamond-cut edges [still relatively thin]
- Ultra-flat profile [very much so]
- Zero-degree tilt [that's about right]
- Heavy duty components [this thing will never break]
- USB Hub [two ports, selling point for me]
- Audio I/O [very convenient]
The edges of the keyboard are, indeed, sharp – and that’s the only real “negative” I’ve experienced. I’m still getting used to the feel (the keys are somewhat flatter and don’t depress as deeply as they did on my old keyboard). I don’t feel my typing speed has been hampered any, either – which makes this one a keeper. For now. If the video doesn’t work for you, we have more information about the keyboard (and other hardware on my desktop) in Live.
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17 Comments
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May 2nd, 2007
at 11:09am
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May 13th, 2007
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May 8th, 2007
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May 3rd, 2007
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Pirillovision
November 8th, 2009
at 12:04pm
ll probably either go with a wired solution, or you’ll spend a large amount of money on a wireless solution. On the other hand, you could go with a third solution: both wired and wireless, as Chris has. His wired aluminum keyboard gives him an excellent response time and allows two USB devices to be plugged into the keyboard, while his wireless mouse hives him the freedom to move the mouse around without any major cord tangles.
IT Professionals
May 4th, 2007
at 3:15am
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Audio Video Help
November 8th, 2009
at 12:04pm
out of your peripherals, you’ll probably either go with a wired solution, or you’ll spend a large amount of money on a wireless solution. On the other hand, you could go with a third solution: both wired and wireless, as Chris has. His wired aluminum keyboard gives him an excellent response time and allows two USB devices to be plugged into the keyboard, while his wireless mouse hives him the freedom to move the mouse around without any major cord tangles.
Barry Kelly
May 2nd, 2007
at 3:12am
You mean “complements” – it’s my pet peeve, I’m extremely sorry, etc. etc. :)
Lisa Lee
May 2nd, 2007
at 8:05am
Chris, what happened to YouTube vids? Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t get these UStreams to work well for me. I loved YouTube because, even on a slow connection, it can be viewed (w/ a bit of patience on my part. haha). But this doesnt seem to load at all. :-/
Dick Carlson
May 2nd, 2007
at 10:50am
On another page, it is said to “feature” the fact that it lays flat. Does that mean there’s no way to tilt it into typical typing angles?
My Junior High typing teacher Kay Koubsky would be very disappointed. Those manual Olivetti typewriters had a 15% slant because experts had determined that was what you needed for blazing speed.
Larry
May 5th, 2007
at 12:01pm
Hi Chris,
Just got the Enermax KB002U in black. I purchased it based on your recommendation. Great suggestion. I am so happy.
Thank you
dar dobs
May 5th, 2007
at 6:54pm
Good golly,prof.Chris:
1,120,000 for aluminum+toxicity on Google!
-prolonged dermal Al contact only adds to the toxic burden on Your body& as well,synergy with heavy metals increases the load exponentially…
-if You disregard copious evidence from Alternative Medicine
[curious,is it not, that stuff AltMed said decades ago& was derided by drug-based medicine [sic]then, is being touted by Allopaths as their new discovery today]
then please go to:
http://www.emedicine.com/MED/topic113.htm
Toxicity, Aluminum
Last Updated: June 20, 2006
Synonyms and related keywords: hyperaluminosis, aluminum-related illness, aluminum concentration, aluminum intoxication, aluminum clearance, aluminum-related disease, dialysis osteodystrophy, dialysis encephalopathy, aluminum deposition, microcytic anemia, chromophilic cells, basophilic stippling, deferoxamine therapy
AUTHOR INFORMATION Section 1 of 10
Author Information Introduction Clinical Differentials Workup Treatment Medication Follow-up Miscellaneous Bibliography
Author: Michael R Edwards, MD, Medical Director, Department of Emergency Services, Beebe Medical Center
Coauthor(s): Barbara Barnett, MD, Associate Program Director, Assistant Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Michael R Edwards, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and American College of Physician Executives
cheers,
dar d
stewyoume
May 8th, 2007
at 2:49pm
Hi there,
I’m stew new to surfing and the net.
Jochem
May 10th, 2007
at 2:52am
Apple PowerBooks and the new Mac Book Pro have metal keyboards! They just rock!
Glenn Tiedemann
August 10th, 2007
at 11:53am
I am a 51 yr. old who learned how to type on the classic IBM Typewriter and later the IBM Selectric with its famous click key action. I recently blew the big bucks on a totally programmable keyboard with the mechanical key action I had been missing for years.
Its an Avant Stellar by Creative Vision Technologies, Inc.(www.cvtinc.com/). At $189 it is a bit much, but as a 116 key format I have the usual F1-F12 across the top PLUS another set of 12 function keys on the left like the old mainframes had (I did say I am 51, didn’t I?) Since I use some programs with special functions or macros, I can program them into the side mount F-keys.
Keys can all be removed for cleaning and relocating based on your favorite layout. This sucker weighs a lot because of the solid metal base and it is wired to a USB/PS2 connector. The typing angle and the action has greatly allowed me to increase both my typing speed and accuracy.
So if anyone is tired of those membrane & plastic k’boards, and you can go for the big bucks, give the Avant Stellar or Prime models a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised by it.
No, I am not paid to say this!
Happy ‘puting all.
Frequently Asked Questions for Video ~ Chris Pirillo
May 26th, 2008
at 9:00pm
[...] on his newly acquired aluminum keyboard (as recommended by fellow community member, Moonglaive). More info. Lastly, where the heck did you get that multicolored light bar above your monitors, and what does [...]
I Purchased an Optimus Maximus keyboard ~ Chris Pirillo
August 24th, 2008
at 5:44pm
[...] show it off at every given opportunity. Yes, I’m hoping it’ll be nicer than my aluminum keyboard. Yes, I’m hoping that it’ll last forever (but I’m not holding my breath). Yes, [...]