Cherry Keyboards 'R' Us » FAQs

Ever tried Cordless Computing ? Go for Bluetooth Keyboards

Fresh Egg — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:37:22 +0000

When it comes to keyboards, it has to be comfortable to type on and easy to handle. There have been many improvements on keyboard designs created by manufacturers worldwide, but nothing compares to the latest technology-Bluetooth keyboards.

Bluetooth keyboards are a tiny laser device which projects the virtual keyboard on any flat surface which you can type on accompanied with the click sounds which you get while typing on a real keyboard.

It sounds like magic and it will feel like one when you have your hands on this latest Bluetooth keyboards. Today you are overwhelmed by so many laser virtual keyboards being sold in the market that it has become difficult to choose the best one meeting your requirements.

Teenagers would require Bluetooth keyboards with basic functionality but they seem to go for the ones which offer cool features and all the fun and frolic that come with it. The professionals will not bother with the frills but rather choose a Bluetooth keyboard with high quality and maximum workability. It’s therefore worth spending some time classifying your requirements before hitting the retail or online gadget stores.

Before buying a good Bluetooth Keyboard you should be very clear with your requirements,technical specifications and other features. And believe me when I say this. When you will take out your compact Bluetooth Keyboard from your bag or pocket ,It will immediately attrack the attention of those around you!) and put it on your table to shoot off an email through your Bluetooth enabled cell phone or PDA.

A Bluetooth Keyboard is composed of 63 keys and a full sized QWERTY layout. Though your typing speed will remain similar with the normal keyboard but you will be lot more at ease and comfortable. You only need to have a flat surface for the virtual keyboard to appear.

The high point of Bluetooth keyboards is its much enhanced battery life. Bluetooth keyboard,once charged, enables you to use it continuously for 120 minutes. Plus it is quite tiny; only 3.5 inches tall.

Now have you heard of any keyboard that is so portable? I hope not. So what are you waiting for? Get your very own portable Bluetooth keyboard to impress your friends, colleagues and everyone around you. Or may be just for your convenience! Yes Bang on! Like you will not flaunt this new kid on the block! You can’t be that modest when you are using the coolest Bluetooth technology-a portable laser virtual Bluetooth keyboard!

Laptop Computer Reviews

Fresh Egg — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:37:10 +0000

Considered a major source of information, laptop computer reviews come to the rescue of people who want to buy a new device but have the difficulty of choosing. Staying informed has its ups and downs. Even though we may think we are informed enough, we may later discover that the assumed decision was not that correct. One thing is clear, all sorts of mistakes are possible and decisions are neither perfect nor flawless

Read MORE laptop computer reviews before you are sure to have enough information. Why is that necessary?

First of all, laptop computer reviews are put together by people paid to write dozens if not hundreds of reviews for online sites. As a result, whether the writer wants it or not, he/she may end up laying pretty much the same thing on the paper, or the screen. Or, gaps in information could also happen accidentally since mistake naturally occur when the writer is tired or bored.

one further reason why you should consult as many laptop computer reviews as possible is that this way you will surely come across reviews made by users of the product. Only good ratings and real assessment can provide a comprehensive true-to-reality picture of what you should expect. Consumers will also have several aspects in mind that big company reviewers may exclude from their pieces of information. Certain types of laptop computer reviews have the power to convince you that a model is either adequate or too advanced. This allows one to identify the unnecessarily high-priced tools, or the too basic and therefore cheap and useless.

Finally, various laptop computer reviews, especially if made by web sites and consumers, will stand apart in the type of information you can collect about the device. The details left out by some laptop computer reviews, are present in others. Yet, the whole appreciation can never be solved until one purchases the product and sees how it works; however, the more numerous the evaluations, the more accurate the image of the puzzle.

All in all, remember that random choices and ignorance will dig deep into your budget and more than that, might even get you with one low quality device. See how many laptop computer reviews you can dissect before making up your mind, unless you have technical training and know exactly what you are looking for.

Onscreen keypad for the iphone – What a nightmare

Fresh Egg — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:36:35 +0000

People across the country have been queing up to get the new iphone 3GS which now supports updated video technology and new messaging system. Of course it lives up to everything that people have said? The obvious answer would naturally be, YES! Of course it is worth it! Although the iphone is the most popular phone on the market I have noticed a few road blocks which tend to be popping up in the forums across the net.

The biggest issue with the current iphone has got to be the onscreen keyboard. Personally, I own a Blackberry and that has a keyboard built into the phone but it is not touch screen. Surely, this has got to be worse? It is far better in my opinion. Although the iPhone does offer an onscreen touchpad it is extremely annoying to use. Unfortunately, for most people their fingers are too big for the touch screen. Becuase the keys are so small you put in one letter and you end up with the wrong one all the time. There are several areas on the iphone which are very hard to use.

Computer keyboards are harder to replicate the smaller they get however having one on screen does seem like the logical choice for a phone like the iphone. Let us hope that educational keyboards dont end up this hard to use as I am struggling to get use to how a wireless keyboard works myself.

This is something that Apple really need to sort out as there has been numerous problems reported on forums everywhere. When it comes to the phone keypad, the Blackberry is far more easy to use rather than the iphone. I have heard numerous issues being raised on the forums about how hard the iphone keypad is to use. It is definitely worth considering when you purchase your next phone. If you are thinking of whether to buy an iphone or Blackberry remember that the touch screen keypad on the iphone is not of the best quality.

Cooling down your laptop.

celeste — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:57:55 +0000

Sitting on a train, plane or even infront of your TV with your laptop resting carefully on your lap, desk or even the coffee table, you can feel the heat starting to escape from it. You need to cool it down but work is far more important at that moment and if it blows..oh well!

There is a solution to this, as I have found.

An auxiliary cooler for laptop computers has been designed to prevent them from overheating, particularly in cramped conditions where there is inadequate natural cooling. The fan assembly also forms an ergonomic stand for the laptop that slants the keyboard at 6º and therefore produces less wrist strain.

These coolers are suitable for all laptops from 10.4 to 15 inches. The cooler is connected to the laptop via a simple adapter and is powered from the laptop USB port. Two fans, which are controlled by a three-way switch providing on/off and a choice of speeds, force air into the cooling ducts of the laptop. Low speed is 2,500 rev/min and provides airflow of 3.26 litres/sec (6.9CFM) while the high-speed mode of 3,400 rev/min provides 4.34 litres/sec (9.2CFM). Power consumption is only 2W and an adaptor is available for mains operation.

At last, a solution to that warm feeling.

Looking for a children’s keyboard?

celeste — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:30:16 +0000

A new keyboard designed for children and those with special needs.

A new keyboard specifically designed to help children, particularly those with special needs, including dyslexia, become familiar and practiced in the use of computer keyboards is now available from www.cherrykeyboardsrus.co.uk.

The Startaboard is the same size as a conventional keyboard but the keys are larger making them much easier to operate. In addition, the imaginative colour coding of purple, green, red, yellow and blue identifying the vowels, consonants, numbers, punctuation and function keys makes them much easier to recognise and assimilate.

Children are also far more comfortable with the lettering that is all lower case.

This wired keyboard, which will prove of great value to children and teachers alike, works straight out of the box and is available with Combo PS/2 USB interface versions and is compatible with all the Windows operating systems including Vista.

My favourite computer keyboards

celeste — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:00:23 +0000

Here is a list of my favourite wireless keyboards out at the moment!

eVolution Control

Wireless multimedia keyboard with 10 programmeable keys and 5 button optical mouse. Supplied with Keym@n software.

eVolution Barracuda

Stylish ultra flat Plug & Play wireless keyboard with 5 button optical mouse.

eVolution Stingray

Ultra flat, wireless multimedia keyboard with 10 programmeable keys and 5 button optical mouse. With Keym@n software.

It is so easy now just to have a wireless keyboard for your computer. It just makes life so much easier! Check out this video i found on youtube which documents the new era of wireless keyboards!!

www.youtube.com

Klingon Keyboards

celeste — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:26:58 +0000

Cherry like to be innovative and produce unusual devices from time to time. The Klingon keyboard is no exception.

Although based around a ’standard’, tried and tested product – the G83-6105LPQGB-2 (of which the 25 millionth product rolled off the production line in 2006) – the layout is it’s unusual part. The idea was born in the Cherry office here in the UK and started off as a simple marketing exercise. Once a press release was issued on the Internet, interest started to come in for such an unusal product and because forward orders were received, the product had to be put into production. The G83-6105LPNKL-2 is now a standard part within the Cherry product range.

The keyboard carries letters from the Klingon alphabet, sourced from the Internet and there is a Windows font to accompany it. This allows Klingon enthusiasts and those who are fluent in the language, to easily type e-mails and/or IM’s to their fellow Klingon fans. As with any keyboard, the Klingon keyboard can operate as a standard UK layout version when connected to a PC.

Press releases for this product caused quite a stir when a ‘fake quote’ was published, reportedly from a Klingon official – the complaint was raised by the gentleman who bears this name as part of an official Klingon site, but this seems to have done the keyboard’s popularity little harm. Orders and enquiries are still coming in….

Rumours of Romulan, Vulcan and other variants are not without substance – though time will tell…..!

Wireless Keyboards – 2.4ghz vs 27mhz

celeste — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:17:36 +0000

Cherry’s wireless keyboard and mouse sets come in two different versions and this can affect the way in which they operate.

27mhz radio frequency is used in more Cherry products than any other:

Sirius – M82-24700GB, Control – M82-24710GB, Barracuda – M85-25700GB, Stingray – M85-25710GB, Liberty – M-5650

The frequency allows connection distances of up to 2m, but can be a little further, dependent upon the conditions in which the device is used – this can be up to 5 or 6 (as we’ve found from experience!). However, within 27mhz there are some limitations as to the number of devices that can be present in a small location. This can then cause some difficulties with interference between devices, even when the ‘connection procedure’ is followed to attempt attachment to a different channel ID.

The connection procedure for Cherry 27mhz devices is simple. Once the batteries are installed, the receiver should be connected to a free USB port on the PC. When connected, the keyboard and mouse may well automatically function, but in case of any problems, there is a ‘Connect’ button on the receiver, as well as one underneath the keyboard and mouse. The connect button on the receiver should be depressed for a couple of seconds, followed by the one under the mouse, then the one under the keyboard and the devices should be connected.

With 2.4ghz devices, the range is far greater – 10m – as standard, though again, dependent upon conditions, this may increase. 2.4ghz is found in the following devices:

Marlin – M85-25800GB, Mover – M-200S, Ergo Shark R – M-200R, Ergo Shark L – M-200L

These devices are all ‘pre-coded’ with their receivers, making sure that there is no cross interference between devices. The only down-side to this, is that if the receiver, keyboard or mouse fails, the entire set would have to be replaced. However, as these are Cherry devices, this is extremely rare!

Different keyboard layouts

celeste — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:02:22 +0000

Cherry Keyboards are available in a variety of language versions and it’s worth mentioning the differences between a standard UK layout and two other ‘English’ language types.

A UK Keyboard contains 105 keys – this is the sort of keyboard shipped with most standard PC’s – though recently some manufacturers have taken to including Multimedia products with their systems, which allow the control of packages like Windows Media Player or iTunes. However, although these are additional keys, they do not change the actual layout of the main keyboard.

Occasionally, PC’s are shipped with one of two alternative English layout keyboards – US English or EU. Whilst they are very similar to a UK keyboard, there are some important differences:

A UK Keyboard contains 105 keys. EU or US keyboards have 104 – the key that’s missing is the one between the left-shift and the ‘Z’, that contains the \ and | symbols.
US and EU keyboards have a straight Enter key – UK keyboards have an inverted ‘L’ shape enter.
There is no £ sign on a US or EU keyboard
There is no € symbol on a US keyboard – on a UK keyboard it’s accessed by holding down ALT-GR and 4, on an EU keyboard by holding down ALT-GR and 5.
On EU and US keyboards, the # key is on the number 3 – on a UK keyboard this is next to the enter key
The number 2 key on US and EU keyboards contains the @ symbol. This is on the key next to the # symbol on a UK keyboard.

If you connect a keyboard to your system that’s different in layout to the one the system is set to, it will continue to operate as the system language. There is no ID within the keyboard to specify the language and Windows determines how the keyboard types.

Each country has it’s own specific layout – some examples are:

GB = UK English, US = US English, EU = European English, ES = Spanish, DE = German, FR = French, AR = US/Arabic, IT = Italian, SF = Swedish/Finnish, DK = Danish, RB = Cyrillic

Keyboard Problems – characters are in the wrong place…

celeste — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:30:54 +0000

A very, very common problem is incorrect characters appearing on the screen. While this may initially look as if it’s a keyboard problem when characters like the ‘#’ symbol appear on your number 2 key, or the £ sign is completely inaccessible, this is in fact a Windows installation error and is easily corrected.

To explain what’s happened. When Windows is installed, you’re asked to go through a number of screens to set the system up. One of these, while not looking particularly important, asks the user to select the language of the PC required. By default, the lovely people at Microsoft, pre-set this to ‘US-English’ and the majority of users bypass this without even noticing. This needs to be set to ‘UK-English’ for the keyboard’s language to be exactly the same as the one shipped with the PC, or that has been purchased as an add-on.

Changing this is simple - just a little lengthy in it’s solution! Within XP, follow the following procedure:

Open Control Panel (Start -> Settings -> Control Panel).
Go to the ‘Regional and Language Options’ icon and double-click
A new window will open, showing the ‘Regional Options’, with the ‘Standards and Formats’ no doubt set to ‘English – United States’. In the drop-down box at the top, select ‘English – United Kingdom’ and all the attributes will change to pound signs, correct date formats and number settings.
Change the ‘Location’ at the bottom of the screen to United Kingdom, if this hasn’t been done already.
At the top of the window, there are two tabs. Click the one marked ‘Languages’ and the screen will change once again.
Click the ‘Details’ button and the screen will change once more.
At the top of this new screen, ensure that the ‘Default Input Language’ is set to ‘English (United Kingdom) – United Kingdom’
Under ‘Installed Services’, press the ‘Add’ button to the right and ensure that English (United Kingdom) is the Input Language and the Keyboard layout/IME is also set to English and not US.
Press OK to close the ‘Add Input Language’ window.
Click once on the ‘English (United States)’ shown in the Installed Services window to highlight it, then press the ‘Remove’ button. Windows may well give an error message at this stage, stating that the language can’t be removed as it’s in use – after a re-start of the system, this will be removed.
Lastly, ensure that you press the ‘Apply’ button to exit the Text services and Input languages window.

This should then ensure that the language for the keyboard is now set to UK English, rather than US English.

It’s also worth mentioning that Microsoft Office should be checked to ensure that it’s set to UK English – otherwise spellings will be incorrect.

How long is the recommended battery life of a optical mouse?

celeste — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:22:23 +0000

As optical mice are constantly ‘on’ (albeit in a slightly reduced power state), the light that’s emitted from the optical sensor will be a drain on batteries. To give an accurate timescale on how long the batteries will last within one of Cherry’s mice is so difficult, as this is all dependent upon usage. Generally, you would expect anything between 6 and 8 weeks per battery set (even high-power Duracell versions) - but if it’s being used heavily during the day, then the life will be shortened. Optical and laser mice are a nightmare with battery life generally and it’s not only us that suffer with the problems. Logitech were claiming 3 weeks life expectancy at one stage with a set they supplied……. The best bet for any customer though is the Ergo Shark- although more expensive, the battery life is controlled because of the internal rechargeable batteries that are supplied in the mouse itself. Even then, (and I use the Ergo Shark mouse at home) I only get 3-4 weeks out of the batteries before they need recharging.

Having said this with the Ergo Shark Mouse, when the batteries start to deplete in power, the red scroll wheel light comes on – and stays on for periods in excess of a week before completely giving up and have to be charged.

Battery life in both keyboards and mice is solely dependent upon usage though. There is no specific formula for battery life expectancy, other than to say if you’re a heavy computer user, they won’t last as long as with a more infrequent user.