If you are over forty, you probably have some visual problem using the computer. Bi-focal wearers are especially affected. The VisiKey keyboard addresses some of these difficulties. For the first time, you may even be able to see the keyboard lettering without your glasses.
The full name of the new VisiKey keyboard is the “Enhanced Visibility Internet Keyboard”. Even a quick glance at the keyboard will make you notice its main feature. The letters, numbers, and symbols on the keys are bright white and they are much bigger and more visible than those on regular computer keyboards. In fact the letters are 430% larger than the letters on a standard keyboard. The patent pending enhanced visibility lettering system gets a rating 20/300 on the snelling visual acuity scale. Compare that to most standard keyboards which are rated 20/70, and you can get a feel for the visual ease that the keyboard provides.
The VisiKey keyboard is a well-designed 104 key model. It also has 15 useful hot keys. The top of keyboard has media center controls for playing, pausing, muting, etc. when working with music and video files with your media player. A separate area next to the media center has Internet keys that give one touch e-mail, web search, browsing, and forward and back keys. The arrow navigation keys are curved and this ergonomic shape makes them available by touch without looking at the keyboard. Above the navigation keys are three keys that allow you to put the computer to sleep, wake it up or power it down.
The keyboard includes a PS/2 and USB connections, and the wireless version that I reviewed also includes the batteries. Because the letters on the keys are bigger, the keys themselves also seem larger. This is not the case. A touch typist will find that all the key are pretty much use the same size and spacing as a regular keyboard. A hunt-and-peck type of user will find it much easier to find the proper keys.
The keyboard worked well right out of the box. The feel was a bit spongier than most keyboards and it was quite quiet. I personally like a crisper keyboard that has a slight clicking sound, but this is a matter of personal taste.
The VisiKey wireless mouse is an optical mouse, so it is highly accurate. It works on most surfaces without a mouse pad. It is slightly smaller than most mice. I liked the shape and size, while some of my male co-workers found it a little too small for their larger hands. Touch sensors allow the mouse to “sleep” after 8 minutes of non-use resulting in longer battery life.
The VisiKey keyboard is IBM PC compatible. It works with Windows XP, 2000, ME and above. Software provided for Windows 95 and 98. It also comes in a wired version.
