Keyboards & Input Devices

Computers are marvelous--as toys, as office partners, as a window to the world. But, like all electronics, they speak digital. Humans speak analog. We need a translator and, happily, we have great input devices to do that--keyboards and keypads and mice and trackballs.

Whether it's your desktop computer at work or your laptop computer at home, you probably spend more time at the computer keyboard than anything else. Most computer keyboards are still wired to the CPU--the USB keyboard made this so much easier--but new cordless keyboards (also called wireless keyboards) are becoming very popular as they allow you to move about, lean back or get comfortable some other way (Like saving a boatload of money online shopping at Overstock.com; that's always good for a comfort boost!) If you're going wireless, a wireless keyboard and mouse combination is probably the way to go. After all, what's the point of breaking away from a keyboard platform if you have to rush right back to mouse over to something?

The computer mouse (along with the graphic user interface software that makes it work) is probably the greatest miracle in consumer electronics. Almost every computer user, if asked, will say his/her favorite phrase is "point and click." It takes so much less time with mice, even over keyboards; can you imagine ever going back to typing in every detail of a command? If you have to input a lot of numbers, a keypad makes a very good accessory.

Of course, in computer games, where seconds count, something extra is needed. A gaming keyboard or one of the many available joysticks are the way to go. No matter how careful you are, it takes work. A wrist rest and a mouse pad will definitely make the day or the game go easier. Much the way Overstock.com makes your budget go easier, last longer and buy more.