Introduction

I’ve been using the Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard for nearly six months now and I absolutely love this keyboard. However, I was never too keen on the white and blue trim. A simple browse through the CompUSA keyboard section introduced the Special Edition of the Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard. I was sold! No advertising or marketing gimmick was needed. The keyboard that I thoroughly enjoyed was now in a nice black finish reminiscent of Logitech keyboard. This was a keeper! As you can tell – this won’t be much of a review since the keyboard really hasn’t changed much since the previous review. It’s more of a show and tell for those who liked the original Multimedia Keyboard but wanted a different color.

The Packaging

Here are pictures of the keyboard’s packaging and it’s contents.

The front of the box	and the back

Woah – there’s a keyboard inside! Go figure!

Inside the box

The bits and pieces..

Here are pictures of the front and back of the keyboard. If you compare this to the standard multimedia keyboard, you’ll find that there’s nothing different about this keyboard. So why the “Special Edition” naming convention? Well it’s all about the black matte finish. Those of you with black cases or perhaps a black colored mouse will appreciate this keyboard.

Front of the keyboard	Back of the keyboard

The keys are the usual fare for Microsoft keyboards. They tend to be tactile enough for most users though they do not provide the same feel as a traditional IBM keyboard. However the keys aren’t exactly mushy either.

This is called the multimedia keyboard for a reason of course – and that would be the row of buttons that line the top of the keyboard. This keyboard has a mountain of short cut keys to help you easily access various components on your Windows desktop. You can launch your documents, pictures, and music folders from your keyboard as well as control your media application using the specialized keys found in the middle of the keyboard. The right hand side has short cut keys for your email, browser, and IM applications. Three special keys are situated above the numeric keyboard. These include the Calculator, Log Off, and Sleep buttons.

Left hand side with multimedia keys	right hand side

The only unusual item on the keyboard is the unique placement of the Home and End keys and the enlarged Delete key. I’ve gotten used to the placement now but those of you unfamiliar with this new layout may find it discomforting at first.

The keyboard connects to the PC via the PS/2 port. There wasn’t a USB option for this keyboard although it would have been nice to see a USB connector as well as a USB hub on the keyboard. You can use this keyboard out of the box but you can also install the Intellipoint software. Using the software application, you can modify what programs are launched with the shortcut bottoms on the keyboard.

KB w/o wrist rest	and with the wrist rest on

Summary

There really isn’t anything different in this keyboard (and hence the short review). The only reason this is a Special Edition keyboard is because of the black colored matte finish to the keyboard. If you already enjoyed the multimedia keyboard from Microsoft and was looking for a different colored version – check this out. If you’re happy with what you already have – then stick with it. I’m anal enough to have color matching equipment sometimes and hence my desire for this Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard Special Edition. If you have any comments or questions - post them here.