Logitech Wave Keyboard
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Logitech is touting an advancement in comfort and usability design with its ergonomic, cross-platform Cordless Wave keyboard. There might be some marketing hyperbole to this claim, but after a week of typing with the Wave, I’m not sure that I could live without it. Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Wave includes an elevated palm rest, though not as extreme as the platforms of old. It’s also covered in a lightly padded vinyl upholstery that feels soft yet firm under the wrist, as well as a Goldilocks amount of tackiness (i.e., not too slippery, not sticky, just right). The keys are also positioned in a gentle U-shaped arc that nearly escapes the eye, but is apparent once you set your wrists down and start typing. Contou (more…)
Oct 1st, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Logitech’s Wave is a unique keyboard that will be appreciated by many. It’s a great new design for those who want something less extreme than full split designs but something more firm than the standard keyboard. With this product Logitech adds to it’s line-up of high quality computer peripherals.
Pros
+ Integrated wrist cushion – comfy and convenient!
+ Keys are shaped to be closer to your smaller fingers – Less hand movement
+ Integrated number pad in a relatively sleek form factor
+ Quiet key action that seems smoother than others I’ve had
+ Vista key shortcuts work nice!
+ Programmable smart keys
Cons
- Corded design, unlike the Wireless Wave Combo set
- Key design takes some getting used to
- May not be enough separation for those who prefer full split ergonomic designs
- Somewhat buggy Logitech software with sleeper (spyware) processes
The design of the keyboard is nice and sturdy, and the additional number pad is a nice feature. The wave shape is REALLY nice, with nice sized keys and many extras. This is a great ambidextrous keyboard that can be used well by lefties and righties. The integrated keyboard wrist pad is nice and comfortable, and the design gives you one less thing you have to have on your desk.
I have actually come to prefer this to the split keyboard design after using it for a period of months. I can move my hands less and let my fingers touch the keys. As a result, my typing speed has actually improved slightly.
Many simply need the ergonomics of a split keyboard or other design. Try to test it out, but keep in mind it will take time to get used to. I’ve had mixed results with split keyboards in this price range, but there are some nice options.
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000
Logitech Cordless Desktop Comfort Laser
Adesso Intellimedia MediaPro Flat Ergonomic MAC USB White Keyboard with 2 USB Ports ( AKB-805MAC)
For those who demand a wireless keyboard, Logitech has released a nice combo set including a wireless version of this keyboard and a mouse. I own that set for a different computer, although I am now using a different mouse with it.
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set
Also, check for price changes. The price tends to fluctuate a lot.
Overall, this keyboard is well worth looking into. Enjoy!
Oct 2nd, 2009 at 5:59 am
I bought the Logitech Wave keyboard (as the name indicates, the overall key pattern goes up and down in waves) just yesterday from Staples, since that was the only place I could find the wired version without the mouse! I don’t have much space on my REAL desktop for a regular mouse, so I use a trackball optical mouse (also good for gaming!), so I don’t need the mouse. Plus, I don’t much see the point of having a wireless keyboard unless you have a REALLY big screen, so you can see what you’re doing form across the room. (Wireless mouse I can understand, so no wires get tangled or restrict movement, but a wireless keyboard?!)
My previous keyboard was a Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 which was pretty good, but after I saw this one, I decided it was time for a change. The 4000 has a rise in the middle at too high an angle where the letter keys seperate, which I got use to, but after awhile of having my fingers poised over the keys and wrists on the rest, my fingertips would get numb and wrists would start to ache. (That might happen to loads of people, but I can’t remember it happening with other keyboards I had) Ergonomic means “efficient design to reduce discomfort”, which I suppose some exceed while others fail.
This one, so far, has proven to be a winner! As seen from pictures, the keys don’t rise and seperate at too high an angle, quite the opposite in fact! They dip down where the normal typing position is, the height complimenting the length of the fingers. (The “A” is highest, the “S” & “D” keys sloping down in height, then the “F” key rises in height just a bit; and vise-versa for the “J”, “K”, “L” & “;:” keys.) All the letter/number keys are also the same size in shape which keeps them all uniform.
The main reasons I bought the keyboard was because of the reasons above, but also because of the hot/quick keys more geared towards Vista (which I have). The function & media keys all have there own function, but can all be reprogrammed to do a wide variety of other things. (Open programs, files, folders, quicklinks, etc.) The SetPoint software makes it pretty easy to do this and is simple to use. The included wristpad also makes typing more comfortable.
In closing, I would recommend this keyboard for just about anyone, especially those who use multimedia, type/game a lot and/or have Vista. Typing this review has also given me a great opportunity to break-in the keyboard. (The keys on the 4000 were wider/spread apart further, making the keyboard wider when compared to this one) I think I’m use to it already! And as ergonomic keyboards go, this one has a pretty reasonable price!
Oct 2nd, 2009 at 6:20 am
I’ve used the split-keyboard style off and on for years, and going back and forth between split and non-split units I always feel that the former force my elbows outward and my hands into a crabbed position that isn’t natural; the standard keyboards feel cramped and painful to use for extended periods. The Logitech Wave keyboard felt comfortable to me at once—-no breaking in or adjusting, which always seemed to be the case with every other keyboard. The “wave” structure of the keys is a gentle effect that seems to keep my fingers in the right spot and my palms resting lightly on the palm rest. Other things I really like about the Logitech Wave: oversized and isolated Escape, Delete, Back keys; zoom function for browsers in a handy spot along the left edge (something I never knew I needed); a calculator button; a myriad of programmable function keys; a thoughtfully included and decent dust cover; an overall footprint that fits my keyboard holder.
Sad to say that although I originally ordered this from Amazon they changed the delivery date even though it was supposedly in stock–something they seem to do more often these days–so I ended up getting it from Newegg. Instead of waiting up to two months for delivery from Amazon I received the keyboard in two days for the same price.