Introduction

Sizing up reviews of keyboards

We found the best reviews for computer keyboards at websites devoted to computer hardware analysis, including Hardware Heaven and Bit-tech.net, which caters to gamers and hardware enthusiasts. CNET, EverythingUSB.com and DigitalVersus.com offer a wide variety of single-product reviews, while DigitalTrends.com publishes thorough, detailed assessments with an objective rating system.

Because subtle differences in hand size or habitual use can greatly impact a reviewer's opinion, we give considerable credence to user reviews. Also, nearly all the professional reviews we found are by men, a fact that elevates user reviews by women (who generally have smaller hands) to an unusual level of importance.

As perceptions of keyboard differences are perhaps more subjective than technical, we found mixed reviews of many keyboards, including several models that are liked by one reviewer and resoundingly panned by another. This is particularly common with ergonomic keyboards, which often have a high learning curve, and gaming keyboards. Reviewers are also critical of keyboard upgrades and new releases. For example, many fervently compare the new Logitech Gaming Keyboard G510 (*Est. $95) against the older, universally loved G19 (*Est. $155) .