CHOOSE THE WRITE TYPE

There are three commonly-used configurations: a desktop full-size alphanumeric, a notebook compact alphanumeric, and a separate numeric.

Keyboards have a normal cable, an infrared link, or a wireless link: the last two don't need a cable. An infrared keyboard needs line-of-sight and your computer needs to be IR-aware. A wireless keyboard needs a small USB receiver.

Over time, the legends on notebook computer keys sometimes wear off. My own Sony PCG has lost half of most letters in just over a year. As I'm not a touch typist, typing has become more and more difficult.

Many people buy a notebook, but then use it in the same place. Since a replacement keyboard often means you'll have no computer for two weeks whilst it's sent away for a costly repair, a spare USB keyboard means you can continue working now and have the notebook repaired whilst you're on holiday.

Desktop computers often come with an economy keyboard. It's not long before the keys start sticking or it just feels clunky. The new USB keyboards have an easy positive action, making typing more comfortable, efficient, and productive.

A numeric keypad is useful if you do accounts or spreadsheet work, particulary on a notebook where the numbers are in a row at the top and the mathematical functions usually need the SHIFT key, or you have to use the NUMLOCK key.

For occasional number-work, this is just inconvenient. For extended number-work, you can use the NUMLOCK key but, as a group of fifteen letters will then only generate numbers and mathematical functions, normal typing is impossible.