Water-resistant, flexible, travel-ready keyboard -- great for students on the go
Adesso Inc. announced the debut of its latest addition, the AKB-220. The AKB-220 is water resistant, flexible, and dust and contaminant proof for the attractive price of $34.99.
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Developed for industrial environments, hospitals, libraries, and motor boats, the AKB-220 boasts a silicon-based material that is impervious to almost anything.
The AKB-220 is compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98SE and is equipped with a USB and PS/2 adapter. Weighing only 0.5 lbs., it includes 105 keys and LED lights for Num-Lock and Caps Lock.
Pros
- Ideal for student on the go! Just roll it up and go.
- Being lightweight and flexible makes it very mobile. When I'm done typing, I can easily move it out of the way to do paperwork.
- Easy to install, just plug it into the UBS port. It also comes with an adapter for PS/2.
- Spill-proof, just rinse it off and rub it dry with a cloth. Since I eat and drink coffee at my desk, this gets done more often than you'd imagine. Being easy to clean and it's very hygienic during cold and flu season. So, it's perfect for students, teenagers and kids.
- It's quiet. If you're in an open office, there is no constant clicking sound to interrupt the thought process of other employees working within earshot. You could also use while typing in the same room with another student who's studying, or while watching TV with your family - there's no annoying clicking sound to interrupt them.
- Immediate response keys - Medium touch key pad, but you have to press directly on the keys for them to register.
- I can also see where this type of keyboard might help someone with impaired vision or arthritis in their fingers as well because the keys don't have that void space between them where the fingers can get caught in it.
Cons
- Be warned: any product this different will have a learning curve since it lies very flat and does have a different feel for sure. However, the keys are difficult to use. You have to push straight down on them with a fair amount of pressure or they don't register.
- It does take a little while to get used to the feel of the soft keys, the smaller space bar and the double Shift keys.
- Given the key spacing and the stroke distance and flat board, this is not a speed typing keyboard.
- I probably wouldn't recommend this keyboard to someone who types a lot in an office setting, but I would recommend it for students on the go or the casual Internet surfer/chatter, teenager or kid.
For limited purposes, where you want a keyboard that does not take up too much space, this portable, spill-resistant option is a good product.
Adesso products are available through Ingram Micro, Synnex and D&H direct vendors, including AMAZON, Buy.com, PC Mall, CDW, mWave, TigerDirect and Insight; retail stores such as Fry's and Micro Center; and leading catalogs, including CDW, PC Mall and PC Connection.
About Adesso
Adesso was founded in 1994. The company manufactures and markets innovative, ergonomic, industrial, programmable, wireless, and foldable keyboards as well as touchpads, mice, trackball, Barcode scanners and high performance Graphic Tablets. Adesso's most successful product lines include its Tru-Form ergonomic keyboards and Glidepoint touchpads.
