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Product:
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Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard |
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Price:
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$48 (CAN) / $35 (U.S)
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Supplied By:
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The Cutting Edge
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Author:
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Shennon
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Date:
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April 29th, 2004
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Rating:
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MODTHEBOX would like to thank Chris from The Cutting Edge
for sending the Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard for review.
Introduction:
The standard keyboard has roots dating back to the 1870's and is credited to U.S. mechanical engineer Christopher Latham Sholes
who patented the first practical typewriter along with his partners Carlos Glidden and Samuel Soulé. The first typewriter devices
were mass produced by the Remington Arms Company and it was this type of ingenuity which developed the current QWERTY keyboard
standard. The QWERTY format was originally designed to split up keys for letters commonly used together by re-arranging the layout
from alphabetically to the current standard. Fast forward to the present and today's technology has introduced new keyboard layouts
(Dvorak, XPeRT, MALT, ect) as well as units which integrate multi-function capabilities. Lighted keyboards are nothing new to the
modding community, even pre-dating consumer models by voyeuristic individuals who created a DIY approach to adding lighting effects
to standard beige keyboards. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be evaluating the new Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard which is
designed to spruce up ordinary traditional computer components.
Specifications:
The Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard uses patented electroluminescent technology to illuminate the entire key surface from
underneath. This feature was originally used by the military and governmental branches for low lit and rugged computing needs.
Currently, the only available colors are Black or Silver with Aquamarine EL panels. Here are some specifications taken
directly from the Cutting Edge website:
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Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard - Key Specifications:
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| Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard: Distributed by The Cutting Edge |
| Black or silver keyboard with blue lighting |
| Integrated On/Off switch for light |
| 18 Hot Keys |
| Palm rest |
| Includes full size keys |
| PS/2 connection |
| Priced cheaper than the competition |
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard shipped in a blue and white cardboard box that features a window to see the keys as well
as a key map on the back of the package. There was some slight damage to the packaging on one side but after a full examination,
the keyboard arrived in excellent condition. Included in the package along with the keyboard was a bundled floppy disk which
contained drivers for Windows 95, 98 and NT.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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The Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 Keyboard has a black base with white translucent keys laid out in the widely used QWERTY format.
Along the bottom of the Xenix Black Lighted PS/2 keyboard is a moulded wrist support which is not removable. The wrist support
is ideal for those individuals who suffer from RSI related injuries. I would have preferred the option of the wrist support
as an add-on feature but the keyboard has been formed as one complete molded piece.
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Click image for larger view
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Click image for larger view
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Across the top of the keyboard are two sets of Hot Keys with nine keys on each side. The first set of keys provides
navigational function by including keys for Home, Page Back and Forward, Favourites and Stop. The second set provides
multimedia function by including keys for Volume Up, Volume Down, Play, Pause and Sleep.
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