Entered CNET Catalog: 07/27/2005
SKU: 967559-0403
Manufacturer: Logitech Inc.
Manufacturer description
The Logitech Media Keyboard Elite is the perfect upgrade keyboard for almost any PC. It features a thinner, flatter Zero Degree Tilt design, with refinements to key shape and layout for an amazing level of comfort and control. The spill-resistant Media Keyboard Elite also provides essential one-touch controls that make your total media experience easier and more fun. Launch your favorite media player and control playback right from the keyboard. You can also zoom in and out of documents and images effortlessly. Access email, your Internet home page and other favorites with one easy touch. Even launch Microsoft Office programs with intuitive, programmable F-Keys.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3
User Rating: 
8/10
I love the zoom feature
Pros: Nice keyboard for the price, caps & num lock notification on screen
Cons: The delete key is too big
Review:
If you are in the over 40 crowd and have trouble reading the tiny text on some websites then this keyboard offers a zoom button that is a nice touch and is worth the money all by itself.
To the left of the keyboard are zoom +, zoom - buttons and a 100% button.
The zoom + button allows you to blow up the size of the font to a comfortable reading size.
The zoom - of course shrinks the font and the 100% button takes the page back to its normal state.
I also like the caps lock and num lock on screen notification.
The delete key is quite large and I find myself hitting it by accident at times.
To the left of the keyboard are zoom +, zoom - buttons and a 100% button.
The zoom + button allows you to blow up the size of the font to a comfortable reading size.
The zoom - of course shrinks the font and the 100% button takes the page back to its normal state.
I also like the caps lock and num lock on screen notification.
The delete key is quite large and I find myself hitting it by accident at times.
User Rating: 
7/10
A nice keyboard
Pros: Decent value, quick launch application keys, comfy
Cons: Some of the features require software, volume controls don't work (for me at least) without the media application being the top-most program.
Review:
I am happy with this keyboard. I set out to buy a decent keyboard from a well established computer accessory company, and I believe I achieved that. I wasn't looking for anything fancy, but this suitabily delivers for my needs. I've yet to come across any major problems, although I have ran into a few problems that aren't of much interest for me anyway:
-> The software that came with the keyboard failed to install correctly. Luckily I bought the keyboard along with a Logitech mouse and I was able to install the SetPoint software from the CD provided with the mouse, but there are some features that are included on the keyboard software that aren't on the mouse software.
-> The volume controls are pretty much useless. There's not much point in them since the only work when your media application is the top-most program... you might as well click the volume control or the pause button with your mouse onscreen.
Except for that, the keyboard is fine. Recommended for someone on a budget that needs a new keyboard.
-> The software that came with the keyboard failed to install correctly. Luckily I bought the keyboard along with a Logitech mouse and I was able to install the SetPoint software from the CD provided with the mouse, but there are some features that are included on the keyboard software that aren't on the mouse software.
-> The volume controls are pretty much useless. There's not much point in them since the only work when your media application is the top-most program... you might as well click the volume control or the pause button with your mouse onscreen.
Except for that, the keyboard is fine. Recommended for someone on a budget that needs a new keyboard.
User Rating: 8/10
Comfy, Decent Features
Pros: Very flat; Many programmable buttons; Volume control; Visually appealing; USB or PS/2 interface
Cons: Zoom buttons don't work in some applications; Key layout slightly atypical; Software needed for all features
Review:
Overall, I'm happy with the Media Keyboard Elite. USB support seems uncommon among keyboards, but I wanted it, and this keyboard has it.
The keys which are most accessible to your left hand are the zoom in, zoom out, and zoom: 100% buttons. They are fully programmable, as are all the F keys and most of the remaining keys (for a total of 21 programmable buttons). My issue is that pressing the zoom in or zoom out button executes their respective scripts three times, making precise zooming (or precise anything) impossible. I don't understand why Logitech chose to implement the zoom feature in this way.
F1 though F8 are by default assigned shortcuts to: help, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, undo, redo, print, and save. F9 though F12 are reserved for user-programmed functions. All 12 can be re-programmed.
The F keys can be toggled between their programmed functions or the traditional "F" functionality. There is an "F Mode" button with an "F Lock" light in the same vein of the Num Lock key and light. After each reboot, the F keys are set to their programmed function mode. (The wireless version of this keyboard remembers the previous state of the F Lock.) Some users will complain about this, but I personally never use the F keys in their traditional context.
They key layout is changed slightly from the traditional norm. The obscure system keys are moved away from the user, while the arrow keys are moved closer. The delete key is now double height. The Escape key is now round. These changes take some getting used to, but seem to be positive.
I would have preferred a volume wheel, but this keyboard has up and down buttons (along with mute).
The keyboard is extremely flat. Sitting on your desk it almost looks too flat, and you may pop out its feet so that the keys are easier to see and/or reach. The box also claims that the keyboard is spill-resistant, which I believe but did not test.
Overall, the Logitch Media Keyboard Elite is a good, inexpensive, USB compatible keyboard.
The keys which are most accessible to your left hand are the zoom in, zoom out, and zoom: 100% buttons. They are fully programmable, as are all the F keys and most of the remaining keys (for a total of 21 programmable buttons). My issue is that pressing the zoom in or zoom out button executes their respective scripts three times, making precise zooming (or precise anything) impossible. I don't understand why Logitech chose to implement the zoom feature in this way.
F1 though F8 are by default assigned shortcuts to: help, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, undo, redo, print, and save. F9 though F12 are reserved for user-programmed functions. All 12 can be re-programmed.
The F keys can be toggled between their programmed functions or the traditional "F" functionality. There is an "F Mode" button with an "F Lock" light in the same vein of the Num Lock key and light. After each reboot, the F keys are set to their programmed function mode. (The wireless version of this keyboard remembers the previous state of the F Lock.) Some users will complain about this, but I personally never use the F keys in their traditional context.
They key layout is changed slightly from the traditional norm. The obscure system keys are moved away from the user, while the arrow keys are moved closer. The delete key is now double height. The Escape key is now round. These changes take some getting used to, but seem to be positive.
I would have preferred a volume wheel, but this keyboard has up and down buttons (along with mute).
The keyboard is extremely flat. Sitting on your desk it almost looks too flat, and you may pop out its feet so that the keys are easier to see and/or reach. The box also claims that the keyboard is spill-resistant, which I believe but did not test.
Overall, the Logitch Media Keyboard Elite is a good, inexpensive, USB compatible keyboard.
