Logitech UltraX - Nice silent keyboard

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CHHAS
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Logitech UltraX - Nice silent keyboard

Post by CHHAS » Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:50 pm

In my quest for a new keyboard I stumbled upon this

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page= ... nguageid=1

Not only is it very stylish, and lowprofile with it's notebook style keys, it's also the most quiet keyboard I've owned. Add in cheap and it's a winner in my book :)

lenny
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Post by lenny » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:48 pm

Googling for the keyboard shows dealtime listing it for an average of $150! :shock:

However, that appears to be for a box of 5, so it's $30 each. But it seems to be sold in packs of 5.

There's another thread here that's been running for a long time. There's a recommendation for a USB keyboard that looks remarkably similar towards the end of the thread.

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:56 pm

That's about what I paid, I found an online shop locally that sells them individually.

Boomerang Rapido
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Post by Boomerang Rapido » Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:59 pm

30$ isn't bad... where did you buy it CHHAS?

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:12 am


Sam Williams
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Post by Sam Williams » Thu Dec 18, 2003 5:45 am

There are couple of UK sources as well - price seems to be ~UK£17 plus delivery.

http://www.easyetrader.com and http://www.tradeprice.co.uk

So CHHAS - how would you describe the action of the keys? Is it just like a good notebook keyboard? If so, I feel Santa will be bringing one of these...

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Thu Dec 18, 2003 7:18 am

It takes a bit of getting used to, but it does feel like a good notebook keyboard. The keys stay in place and doesn't move from side to side when you touch them, and everything feels very precise.
I've used it for maybe 10 hours now and already I dislike using a regular keyboard.

The overall finish is very nice as well, I was a bit worried because of the price, but there's no need for concern there.

Another plus is that Logitech has resisted the temptation to move any keys, everything is where it's supposed to. Many newer keyboards have moved the Insert, Delete, Home block around or put the arrow keys somewhere strange. None of that here. Only extra feature are the 6 hotkeys at the top right hand side, they are integrated in the bar containing the LEDs and it looks very stylish.

If I have to nit-pick they should have put blue leds in, but that's about the only thing I can think of.

Sam Williams
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Post by Sam Williams » Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:09 am

That sounds ideal, especially with the layout being standard. I've ordered one!

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:41 am

Cool, lemme know if you like it as much as I do.

Ralf Hutter
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:49 am

Are the keys full size? The picture makes it look like they're rectangular instead of square. Maybe it's just the angle.

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:58 am

Yes, they're full size, except for the F-keys which are smaller, but that's the case on most keyboards today.

HadroLepton
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Post by HadroLepton » Thu Dec 18, 2003 3:30 pm

i like flat key keyboards with full layout. what i don't like are the windows keys and the extra keys. at least they look like extra keys on the top row. why can't they just make flat key keyboards without any extras :|

are there highres pictures of that keyboard anywhere? i searched around but all i found where those crappy low res small pictures like those on the logitech homepage.

Sam Williams
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Post by Sam Williams » Thu Dec 18, 2003 3:55 pm

HadroLepton, I found only low-res pictures too. I'll be happy to shoot some high-res images of mine when it arrives (which will hopefully be before Christmas) - unless CHHAS wants to do so first... :)

As for the extra keys: I know what you mean. I have a mouse for that stuff... :roll:

limee
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Post by limee » Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:16 pm

Does it register more than 3-4 buttons at once?

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:58 pm


halcyon
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Post by halcyon » Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:35 am

Thanks for the images!

Now can you also make a recording of the clickety-click sounds of the keys? :)

cheers,
Halcyon

Seal
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Post by Seal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:13 am

CHHAS wrote:I'm not sure what you mean by registering more than 3-4 buttons at once limee, or how to test it.
I think he means pressing down 3-4 buttons at once - used for computer games more than anything else, eg in car game, going forwards+turning right+changing gear+looking back or something like that...

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:19 am

No mic I'm afraid, but it sounds much like any notepad I've worked on.

As for the gaming part I don't play many games, but the few I've tried has worked flawlessly.

Seal
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Post by Seal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:30 am

I might get one of these looking at it, it says on the website its ps2, is that true? quite surprising i think.

CHHAS
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Post by CHHAS » Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:35 am

Yes, it's PS2.

mr.muscle
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Post by mr.muscle » Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:43 am

my keyboards always brake, so for me it´s kind of stupid to pay 30 bux for a keyboard

Sam Williams
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Post by Sam Williams » Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:00 am

Is that because you're Mr. Muscle? :)

Maybe if you spent more, it'd break less frequently!

Re: the pictures - nice work, CHHAS - it looks good on that wooden surface.

KHarm1
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Post by KHarm1 » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:01 pm

Does anybody own a Virtually Indestructable Keyboard VIK, made by RAM Electronics? I tried one at Radio Shack, It seemed very quiet, the only difference is that the keys are different. They wouble around if you do not hit them directly above them. I guess thats what you get when you make eveything out of silicone. Keyboard is flexible too, so that can be a problem if you want to put it on your lap. Although it can withstand a spill. I am considering picking one up. You guys should check it out, here is the url.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/keyboards.html

Ralf Hutter
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:35 pm

KHarm1 wrote:Does anybody own a Virtually Indestructable Keyboard VIK, made by RAM Electronics? I tried one at Radio Shack, It seemed very quiet, the only difference is that the keys are different. They wouble around if you do not hit them directly above them. I guess thats what you get when you make eveything out of silicone. Keyboard is flexible too, so that can be a problem if you want to put it on your lap. Although it can withstand a spill. I am considering picking one up. You guys should check it out, here is the url.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/keyboards.html
Yeah, I keep one rolled up in my toolbox. Comes in handy sometimes at a customers house. It is quiet but it's a pain to type on.

Seal
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Post by Seal » Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:44 pm

That website wrote:The washable, “roll-able” keyboard has been called “the best thing to happen to typing since the backspace key.”

ahahahahahaaaa rofl!!!

wisefool
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Post by wisefool » Sun Dec 21, 2003 7:27 pm

I own a couple of these, they retail at around 38 bucks in Newegg.

It is a nice keyboard. The keyboard is wider than normal, and the key caps are larger! I touch type mostly, but this is a pretty keyboard. it's nice for these non-adjustable cheap keyboard drawers I use in the office.

Yes, it is PS/2 only.

Seal
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Post by Seal » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:37 am

How much bigger is that keyboard? Any measurements? I dont think its wider than my split keyboard.

Anyone know how it is for gaming???

Thanx

Ralf Hutter
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Post by Ralf Hutter » Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:10 am

wisefool wrote:I own a couple of these, they retail at around 38 bucks in Newegg.
Cool! I Googled around for this keyboard the other day when this thread first started to try and find one here in the US and couldn't find one. So waddaya know, it turns out that good 'ol Newegg carries them...

I just ordered one. I love my PSK5000 but it's USB and won't work with my hellaciously expensive DVI KVM so I'm looking forward to trying this PS/2 Logitech in my system!

Seal
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Post by Seal » Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:51 pm

i just ordered one myself :)

not only does it look brilliant but its added bonus is its quiet :)

lenny
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Post by lenny » Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:11 pm

wisefool wrote:I own a couple of these, they retail at around 38 bucks in Newegg.

Yes, it is PS/2 only.
Just ordered one from NewEgg, $31 with free shipping.

I know most modern BIOS has support for USB keyboard under DOS, but they seem to be turned off by default. Can you use a USB keyboard to get into the BIOS screen?

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