I was very skeptical when I ordered this keyboard since no one has written a review on it yet. So I took a gamble and just based on looking at the picture and doing some googling (to see more pictures), I went ahead and ordered it.
Much to my surprise this keyboard is awesome! The layout is quite good, very similar to what you will find in most laptops. The feel of the keyboard is very nice. It has a very expensive feel to it, due to the glossy outer case. I like the individual keys and the spacing between them. This keyboard is as close as you can get to the Apple design (though the Apple keyboard is much thinner).
Overall I would highly recommend this keyboard for those who are trying to conserve some desk space and do not use the numeric keys.
Good job Genius! You're product is well...Genius! Genius LM-i200 USB New Slim Compact Stylish Multimedia Keyboard
On many issues I'd rank this keyboard as fully satisfactory: It's extremely handsome; layout is great; and it's ergonomic at least in terms of consuming minimal space (and therefore not restricting us from using areas of our desk which larger keyboards will infringe upon). In virtually every other area, I'd rate this keyboard a 5.
But the most important thing about a keyboard is how it types; and the most important thing that enables it to function well in that regard is the mechanics of the keys. I've worked more hours a day than you want to know about... and I generally wore out a keyboard in under 6 months until I discovered BTC keyboards quite a few years ago. Until recently, I used to buy my BTCs from Amazon here, but now they've become scarce or not available. The BTCs I've been using are this size, and they just type fantastic, owing to very good key mechanisms. While the BTCs weren't available, I bought this Genius in the hopes it would feature similar mechanics... but no... it's one of the old plunger types which I wear out so quickly.
To explain my complaint... plungers introduce a looseness -- the keys will wiggle around because there has to be some clearance for this (cheap) kind of mechanism. This looseness works against you. If you stroke straight down the center of a key, you get one kind of stroke response. Any side movement (and there almost always is some lateral movement in a keystroke) or missing the center, and your stroke cants the key, forcing it to stick as it tries to depress. This of course makes for terribly inconsistent response -- especially in a thin board like this, which has to have shorter shafts (which is why I anticipated that it would probably feature the BTC style mechanisms instead).
Another thing you're going to have then is all the faster wear, because with the shorter plunger mechanisms, your keystrokes are binding all the worse -- wearing this plastic gizmo out all the faster.
Great looking unit. Perfectly compatible with a Mac or Windows. But right out of the box... terrible for typing. Loosest new keys I've ever experienced. Worse than other (deeper) plunger types I've suffered. I won't be using this one for long. It's such an impediment to good typing that really, it needs to get tossed away brand new for interrupting my timing -- which of course is what sticking keys do.
Upgrade the mechanism, and this would be a great board. Otherwise, imho, of *negative* worth to your work.
Shoot, I see now that the BTC is available. I really screwed up:
BTC Emprex 5139 mini space saving keyboard USB
I use it for CAD to get my wrists and arms in a more natural position and bought a separate number pad. Its compact but not because the letter keys are any smaller then normal. The size savings is really just from taking out the number pad and smushing in the other keys. But all the keys are there and the letter keys are the exact same spacing as a normal keyboard which was just what I was looking for. Not overly loud. The usb cord is a bit short so I had to use an extension to reach my computer.
so much, much better than this one 89-Key Mini USB Windows® Keyboard
just spend the extra few dollars and get the Genius. not sure why the other reviewer complained about clakity keys. this keyboard is not as quiet as a full-on scissor-switch laptop keyboard. but it's definitely quieter and smaller than a regular size keyboard that has a full frame + number pad.
this is just what I needed to keep my sanity with my limited desk space. the glossy black finish seems to attrack smudges and fingerprints and pet hair, if that will bother you.
I bought this little thing to connect to my server - the keyboard is on my desk next to my regular keyboard, mouse & monitors. I don't need to type on it often, I use my main computer's keyboard for that, but occasionally there is a reason I can't use the connection (synergy) to deal with some problem, and this is perfect. It sits unobtrusively out of the way, but if needed, it is right there and easy to type on - regular sized keys and works really. Here's the surprise - the server is running Ubuntu Linux, and the keyboard works perfectly, including the multi-media function keys. I was fully expecting a simple keyboard with limited functionality, but this exceeds my expectations. - Layout - Laptop Keyboard - Compact - Mini Keyboard'
Detail Products
Detail Reviews
Click here for more information
