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Logitech UltraX - Nice silent keyboard

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 10:50 pm
by CHHAS
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 :)

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:48 pm
by lenny
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.

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:56 pm
by CHHAS
That's about what I paid, I found an online shop locally that sells them individually.

Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:59 pm
by Boomerang Rapido
30$ isn't bad... where did you buy it CHHAS?

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 12:12 am
by CHHAS

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 5:45 am
by Sam Williams
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...

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 7:18 am
by CHHAS
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.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:09 am
by Sam Williams
That sounds ideal, especially with the layout being standard. I've ordered one!

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:41 am
by CHHAS
Cool, lemme know if you like it as much as I do.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:49 am
by Ralf Hutter
Are the keys full size? The picture makes it look like they're rectangular instead of square. Maybe it's just the angle.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 11:58 am
by CHHAS
Yes, they're full size, except for the F-keys which are smaller, but that's the case on most keyboards today.

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 3:30 pm
by HadroLepton
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.

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

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 6:16 pm
by limee
Does it register more than 3-4 buttons at once?

Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2003 8:58 pm
by CHHAS

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 6:35 am
by halcyon
Thanks for the images!

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

cheers,
Halcyon

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:13 am
by Seal
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...

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:19 am
by CHHAS
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.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:30 am
by Seal
I might get one of these looking at it, it says on the website its ps2, is that true? quite surprising i think.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 7:35 am
by CHHAS
Yes, it's PS2.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 8:43 am
by mr.muscle
my keyboards always brake, so for me it´s kind of stupid to pay 30 bux for a keyboard

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 11:00 am
by Sam Williams
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.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:01 pm
by KHarm1
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

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 12:35 pm
by Ralf Hutter
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.

Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 1:44 pm
by Seal
That website wrote:The washable, “roll-able” keyboard has been called “the best thing to happen to typing since the backspace key.”

ahahahahahaaaa rofl!!!

Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 7:27 pm
by wisefool
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.

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:37 am
by Seal
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

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:10 am
by Ralf Hutter
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!

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 3:51 pm
by Seal
i just ordered one myself :)

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

Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2003 4:11 pm
by lenny
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?