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    Keyboard issue...

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by exernet, Jun 9, 2007.

  1. exernet

    exernet Notebook Guru

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    When I hook up my laptop to my 19" LCD monitor, it gets a little annoying using the laptop keyboard while looking at the LCD monitor. So a few days ago I decided to purchase another keyboard as my current one is a PS2 interface and my laptop doesn't have a PS2 port.

    I figured I'd give Best Buy a shot and went out and bought the wireless Logitech MX3200, which also comes with a wireless laser mouse (my Microsoft optical is getting kinda old so I figured why not). So I set it up and everything was going smooth, my laptop instantly recognized it. Later on I decided to play a little Unreal Tournament, and noticed the space bar stops working completely while 'w' and 'a' are simultaneously held down. Which is a fundamental combo (diagonal jump/dodge) on Unreal Tournament and probably many other FPS games. So I figured a simple driver/firmware update would problem fix this. It didn't. I posted on the Logitech forums and was told it's not a defect, and that it has to do with the way the keyboard circuit or whatever works, and that some key combinations would be blocked. This was a very big disappointment, so I returned it to Best Buy no questions asked and got a full refund (thankfully).

    Now I'm skeptical on buying another wireless or Logitech keyboard. Is key blocking typical among Logitech or wireless keyboards?

    Does anyone know of any keyboards that meet the following requirements:

    - Standard design, multimedia buttons would be nice. I like simple keyboards, nothing with a lot of buttons that you won't use that get in the way
    - USB interface
    - Good for gaming (no key-blocking)
    - Good for typing/everyday use as well
    - Wireless or wired, I'm not really sure


    Also another option is to get a PS2 -> USB adapter and use my current wired keyboard which I love. But they're about $15 and for that much a may as well be better off getting a new keyboard.

    Then there's the 3rd option, just stick with using laptop keyboard while using an external LCD monitor.

    So basically if anyone has any ideas, opinions, or suggestions I'd greatly appreciate it.
     
  2. Greg

    Greg Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It might be a limitation of wireless keyboards for all I know...but this is the first time I've heard of this at all.

    You might want to get a cheapy Dell USB keyboard that isn't wireless. They're about $20-30 and they actually work fairly well and feel good too. I use one at work and love it.