Customer Reviews

Microsoft Internet Keyboard Pro

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I got my Internet Pro keyboard to go with my Celeron-based system running Windows '95. My previous keyboard was also a "multimedia" keyboard--a rebranded unit made by Chicony.

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. The construction is solid, the typing feel is very good, and it's quiet. I cannot put my Windows 95 system to sleep with the sleep key, although my previous keyboard allowed me to. I tested the new keyboard with a system running Win '98 and it goes to sleep when the sleep key is pressed.

The IntelliKey Pro software is pretty good, especially the multimedia features. It worked flawlessly. I would like more control over user-defined keys (only three or four are programmable, depending on how you count), but this is a gripe I would levy against every custom keyboard software I've seen.

The only caution I would give a potential buyer relates to the USB: This is not a keyboard that'll work on a "legacy-free" computer. It is a PS/2 keyboard with a USB hub, <not> a USB keyboard with a USB hub. Although my Windows 95 OSR 2.5 software states "USB support" on the CD label, the keyboard does not function with USB under Windows 95. This is not the fault of the keyboard and the software requirements on the keyboard box clearly state that Windows 98 is required for USB support. By the way, I was using a USB mouse for testing. The keyboard itself uses the PS/2 port and has an extra plug (a USB pigtail) for its built-in hub.

USB suppoort under Windows 98 seemed to work OK, although I did not have time to check this out fully. I understand there are a few glitches when using this keyboard with a USB mouse that happen when waking from sleep mode.

Overall, a good keyboard choice. Have reasonable expectations of USB and you'll be very satisfied.

Well i was searching for a keyboard online for a [less expensive] used price. And i found one. I was not specifically looking for a microsoft one, but i was hoping on getting it, and well i got it. When i was looking for more info on the keyboard i noticed that i couldnt get much info, especially what are the buttons functions, so I am going to tell you it. There are 19 buttons which do activity's. The activity's are or as microsoft calls it the Hot Keys are Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Search, Favorites, Web/Home, Mail, Mute, Decrease Volume, Increase Volume, Play/Pause, Stop, Prev Track, Next Track, and Media(lists all entertainment type programs such as real player, winamp, cd player etc.), My computer, Calculator, and Sleep. I found that the only buttons you can change the activity with is the mail button, calculator button, my computer button, and search so far. The detachable palm rest is not comfortable as my other palm rest so i dont use it. The keyboard lists keyboard shortcuts on the side of the corresponding keys such as if you were trying to copy a word you would press cntrl+ c, and on the side view of c you could see it says copy. The keyboard comes with PS/2 and USB cable joint together. The keyboard has a built in 2 usb ports. The keyboard allows you to disable some keys, if you wish to. Well I liked the keyboard, and i bought a used one, and found a great price for it too...

This is a fine, sturdy keyboard that works with ME (despite the previous review). I'm using it on ME right now. You need to download the ME driver from MS though.

The key pressure is just right, the size is fine (not too small, not too big). The extra buttons are helpful. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because I'd like the wrist rest a little bigger.

It's a pity and a shame that Microsoft discontinued this keyboard. Their newer keyboards look nice, but they're a little too flashy for me, and I'm not a big fan of the new keyboard layout. If you're looking for the functionality of these newer MS keyboards but with less of the nonsense, this is definitely the way to go. It sports a not-likely-to-offend beige finish and the old-school 104 key layout. Even has a built-in two-port USB hub, the perfect place to plug your USB mouse and game pad. (It's not a powered hub, so don't try plugging in things like printers and hard drives.)

The lower-end Internet Keyboard has 10 additional keys; this thing sports 19. Use them as marked for one-touch access to web browser and media player functionality, or reprogram them to your heart's content. The pain-free driver install and configuration makes this a cinch. And key response is just about perfect; if you don't already know how to touch-type, learn it, and you'll appreciate this even more.

If you can find it, get it. It's more than worth the time and effort.

I love this keyboard. I have one at home and I wish I had one at work. This keyboard predates MS's repurposing of function keys and rearrangement of cursor control keys. It's not nearly as pretty as the newer keyboards coming out, but it's a lot more functional if you're a power-keyboarder. The hotkeys are great and completely customizable if you don't like what they're doing. I've hardly reprogrammed any of them, though. My favorite hotkeys are the mute, volume and play controls. They work fine with media players other than Windows Media Player.

I got this keyboard simply because I needed one that had extra USB ports to plug things into. This isn't really necessary except to make things neater without going all out and getting wireless (which I've had -- performance isn't perfect with wireless just yet).

However, it is extremely useful for laptop/notebook owners that didn't bother getting a port replicator or docking station. All I have to do is plug in the monitor and the USB from the keyboard, and voila, everything I have is plugged in via the extra USB ports on the keyboard.

The keyboard has a y-shaped end, one end being ps2, the other being USB. Remember though, the USB ports can only be used if you plug the keyboard into the laptop via USB, not PS2.

I sort of wish it didn't have PS2 at all -- sort of gets in my way.

Feels nice...I hate ergonomic keyboards. Standard keyboard layout. Keys depress nicely, though a big louder than my old wireless logitech.

I bought this keyboard a couple of years ago and have been very happy with it. The only problem is it's size, and I really didn't need all these extra buttons, but other than that, it's a great keyboard. The wrist rest is also quite nice, although I still prefer a gel wrist rest, however with the size of this keyboard, it's easier to use the hard plastic one provided, otherwise the gel one would just keep falling off my desk.

I'm a touch typist, so the position of keys is important and this uses the standard size and spacing which I like. Also, I use this keyboard with both Mac and PC, and the software provided allows me to set the keyboard up perfectly for each platform.

One problem is that it occasionally stops responding and I have to unplug it and plug it back in again, but this doesn't happen that often and is only a minor complaint really. Not as bad as the IntelliMouse Explorer which stops working for days on end.

After getting a thorough soaking with tea, the keyboard obviously stopped working, but after half an hour of cleaning it out and ensuring there was no tea left on the internal contacts, it worked fine, and was much easier to clean out than some keyboards I've tried to repair. So really, it's been pretty damn reliable, even after the tea.

Overall I like this keyboard, but in future, I wouldn't bother with all the additional buttons which never get used to be honest. Without then, I could save an additional inch or two on my desk and have a nice gel wrist rest. However if desk space is not a problem and you get use from them, I can see that they would be useful for some users.

I am very hard on keyboards and this is the only one that has lasted for more than a few months - first one lasted more than three years! I am a transcriptionist so spend 8-10 hours everyday using the keyboard for work then later for my own leisure. The spacing between the keys, the key cap size and the layout of the keyboard is a power-user's dream. The weight of the keyboard is heavier than most so it stays in place and really stands up to abuse.

The two USB ports are conveniently located to quickly attach or remove a digital camera or other equipment and when I tried another replacement board I really missed having the ports "right there".

Bottom line is that once I located this keyboard and learned it is no longer manufactured (shame on you MS) I bought two just to make sure I didn't have to buy a keyboard that would slow me down, because this one certainly doesn't.

... from the shelf. This keyboard is now out of circulation. MS decided to discontinue making them, why I dunno. It is great if you have a laptop but like to use a regular Keyboard when space allows. With it's 2 USB ports on the back, you can plug into the USB on your laptop (I only have 1)and still have not 1 but two USB slots available (one for optical mouse and one for digital camera in my case). Great idea, at least I thought... guess MS didn't like the idea of a happy customer.

This keyboard is superb for typing with. The wrist support does what it is supposed to and keeps your wrists very comfortable. The keys are solid and do not get jammed easily like my former eMachines keyboard. It is also not excessively loud like my Dell Quietkey Keyboard. It is superfluous because it goes beyond being a great keyboard by offering some great nifty button things. Although some of the buttons are very useless for me, like the back, forward, stop, refresh, search, and web/home because I use keyboard hotkeys, but the others like the mute, volume, calculator and my compputer (which I programmed for my own things) are extremely helpful. Even though some are useless, they are just extras that don't hinder anything.