Customer Reviews

2 USB 2.0 Ports Aurora Micro Alum Keyboard Hot Key

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

 

 

I did not find the key layout to be a problem. The problem is that it generated too many double key inputs, to the point where it was useless for me. If not for that one main problem, I would've given it a 4 star. I called Enermax before purchasing, about possible double key inputs and they stated that it does not have that problem, BUT, it was not the case once I got it in my hands. I called their tech support after, no one returned my call, so I returned it.

I am extremely picky about the action and feel of the keyboard I use. After a great deal of review and disappointment with other brands, I ordered the Enermax. I don't use 10-key pads so that was a plus in my ordering decision. The two 2.0 USB ports were also attractive. I didn't really care about the aluminum chassis. It's all about the laptop-like scissor keys and I loved them for as long as they worked. Unfortunately, that was one month. In no time the space bar was hanging, soon to be joined by the L and A keys. Worthless to me, now. I'm shopping again but Enermax won't be on my list for consideration. Too nice to throw away and too aggravating to use. I've got it behind the desk as a USB hub.

I work with my laptop on a stand so need an external keyboard. Also, like to have mouse close by so need a small keyboard without a number keypad. Bought a regular small keyboard with spring type keys and found that my fingers would hurt after a short period typing. This is not something I experience on my laptop keyboard so wanted something with a similar "scissor" action and found this which solved the problem. Highly recommended!

Note: I too found the right hand shift key to be badly designed but after some time my fingers adapted to it.

I bought one of these keyboards when I realized I NEVER use a numeric keypad. For ergonomic reasons, I have my keyboard on a drawer slightly lower than my desktop and I want my mouse to be on the drawer where the numeric keypad would be. I love the look, feel and size of this keyboard, but for some strange reason, they chose to make the layout of keys nonstandard - they put the key with the | and \ where the right shift key should be. I touch type, and every time I attempt to type a capital letter on the left side of the keyboard, I hit the \ key instead of the shift key. Every time I need to type a \, I have to search for the key. I thought that after using the keyboard for a while, I would adjust to it, and if it were the only keyboard I ever use, I might have adjusted, but because I also use other standard keyboards on other computers I use, I never adjusted to this non-standard key location. It was so frustrating for me, I stopped using the keyboard. If this keyboard had a standard layout, it would be excellent. However, for people who touch type, I can't recommend it.

bayareakirk
Tech Level: somewhat high
Ownership: 1 month to 1 year
10/11/2009 6:51:23 PM
Excellent Micro Keyboard

Pros: Quality, space saving size, quiet keys, layout of keys is very nice and usable for a small keyboard, feel/response of keys is excellent, works flawlessly, nice looking.

Cons: None for me. I've used it daily all this year.

Other Thoughts: I don't use numbers often and wanted to create a more ergonomic layout for my keyboard and mouse and it works well to have the mouse closer to the keyboard.
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N/A
Tech Level: high
Ownership: 1 day to 1 week
This user purchased this item from Newegg
10/10/2009 2:04:34 PM
Nice Quality

Pros: Very nice quality, good "feel", small/compact size. 2 USB ports handy. Handy extra keys (cut, paste, email, browser, etc.)

Cons: Bright lights (scroll lock, num lock). BackSpace key shifted a little away from normal reach. But it will feel normal in a day or two.

Other Thoughts: Looks like a winner.
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Ric
Tech Level: high
Ownership: 1 month to 1 year
This user purchased this item from Newegg
4/2/2009 11:56:04 AM
Mini Keyboard goodness

Pros: The build quality and key play on this board scream quality. The aluminum slab the keys are mounted to make for one of the most sturdy boards I've seen. I have stub fingers and type with force and with the good rubber feet and the heft of its construction, it goes no where. I have purchased other more expensive mini-keyboards that dont measure up to this unit. With some hardware, people like to complain about bright LED's. Well in the case of this board the blue is so easy to spot out of the corner of my eye that I never type past the regular though accidental caps lock key hits. Even the USB ports are placed exactly where they need to be.

Cons: Minor issue of getting used to the large enter key right under the back space, but now I love it and wouldnt have it any other way!

Other Thoughts: Some reviews indicate key placement issues or omissions. Dont let that deter you from picking up this awesome board. The placement issues are truly minor and easily adapted to.
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N/A
Tech Level: somewhat high
Ownership: 1 month to 1 year
This user purchased this item from Newegg
9/26/2008 3:35:15 PM
Nearly ideal

Pros: Compact with keys I want to learn to use. Has extra characters readily available but no manual. Sufficient keys for multimedia use. It took a little while to become comfortable with the Crystal and I expect to like this more with time (right shift).

Cons: If the backslash key were above a shorter Enter key, and had a normal sized right Shift key it would be ideal. The Crystal is a big relief for typing but lacks a right Ctrl key and has the num keys. That cost $37 (a steal) on sale, which I don't wait for.

Other Thoughts: If you're tempted to change the Num Lock in the BIOS you should already know that the Alt Gr combines Ctrl+Alt used in Ctrl+Alt+Del. The Fn+F11 changes to NumLock. Microsoft has keyboard layout software but I hesitate to use it except where really needed.
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N/A
Tech Level: high
Ownership: 1 day to 1 week
This user purchased this item from Newegg
8/28/2008 12:03:15 PM
Good Solid Mini Keyboard

Pros: Rugged construction and good feel to the keys. The USB ports are where they should be and finally got a good keyboard without the useless number keypad. Takes up less space then the old RF wireless keyboard (without number keypad) it replaces.

Cons: Feels small ... but this is a mini keyboard ... it is supposed to feel small.

Other Thoughts: Paid what I thought was too much for a keyboard, but in this case, I got what I paid for and more. Excellent feel and minimal space taken on my desktop ... it is my perfect solution.

I got this keyboard after getting the non-micro version because I needed a smaller keyboard for a different workstation. It is well built and the keys have good responsiveness. The deal breaker is that the people who designed the layout of the keyboard are not people who use the right shift key (i.e. anyone who types correctly punctuated documents).

Here's the details: they placed the backslash (\) key in between the slash/question mark key and the right shift key and so every time one reflectively goes for the right shift key one gets a result of a \ in front of whatever you wanted to capitalize. Needless to say this really slows down anyone that is trained with regular typing skills.

Looking at the layout, this poor design is even more obvious when you look at how big the Enter key is and how the \ key could have been placed to the right of the right bracket key (]) as on many other keyboards and had the right shift key be the same size (and distance from pinky finger) as the left shift key, without otherwise affecting the layout. Very ill-thought design.

The number of times I have had to hit backspace to correct for a \t type error in this review alone is proof of the lack of design input by touch typists. Needs to be sent back to the drawing board to make that one revision to get real praise.

I admit - some people like clothes and shoes but when you do as much PC work as I do, getting the right mouse and keyboard is important. This is small, well-constructed, has two embedded USB ports. Unreal bargain! BUY THIS NOW! You won't be sorry.

I wish it was wireless though!