Review: Emprex Slim Keyboard

rickh

rickh

rickh

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I recently purchased the emprex slim keyboard:

KB-001-EX_200.jpg


http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-001-EX&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=2


I've gone back to using my cheap and ancient old ps/2 keyboard because the emprex is a nightmare to type on.

They keys need to be pressed hard and dead on center, If you don't press the center of the key or push with more force than I would like to, then the key hit doesn't register (very annoying).

The worst key is the space bar. If you press the spacebar on the edges then nothing happens. This often produces thingslikethiswithno spacesor randomspaceswhere thekeyboard decides to register the key.

Overall: aweful keyboard to use, looks nice though.

If it cost more than £9.99 i'd send it back because I really don't think its fit for its job.

Here's a video showing its poor spacebar registration:

 
WOW....Thanks for doing this mate i was so close to buying one just now lol
It looks terrible from that video and what your describing....Emprex chose looks over performance :rolleyes:
 
Tried to post the review on the website over a week ago.
Either the verification process is very slow or ocuk are against negative reviews.

I've found the source of the problem; the pressure point for the spacebar (the squishy 'button') is tiny and there's only one.
Better keyboards have 2 spaced out towards either end of the key.

Diagram showing why the emprex space bar sucks:

[y------------x------------y]
Click to expand...
x being the button that registers the space, y being the places that don't register key strokes
 
Very disappointed with ocuk not publishing my review.

If I don't see it there I will have no issues sending my business (we spend thousands with ocuk..) to other retailers who are more honest to their customers.
 
I took the key off and the button design is aweful, so its unlikely that this is a lemon.
I will add pics showing why it's a design fault & why the free keyboards hp/dell give away are much much better for typing.
 
I've got one of these keyboards and I think it's great and feels really nice to type on.

I don't have anything like this spacebar issue.

The one issue I will bring up is that there isn't height adjustment at the back of they keyboard.
 
This Emprex is merely a copy of the 'slimline wired' keyboard Saitek has been doing since Apple's A1243 was released in 2007. They are as far as I'm aware all equipped with a single centrally positioned sensor, which is logical given that the space bar itself is significantly more sensitive.

I think you've just had a bad unit mate, so any highly negative review for a single keyboard might understandably impact sales of an otherwise perfectly functioning product. Put your ovaries away, ring OcUK and get a replacement. : )
 
I am eyeing up Microsoft wireless comfort desktop 5000 (keyboard & mouse) at the moment for Win7x64. My wrists are killing me with the normal keyboard.
 
JasonM said:
I only use MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 these days. Once your use to one at home, you will require one for work also.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043
Click to expand...

+1 for that.

I did own one untill a little spillage accident but i loved it and don't be fooled by the split keyboard because it is actually really easy to use once you get used to it. Also it has the rest which make it extremely comfortable to type on.

Not sure how much they go for since i got mine free but if they were a decent price compared to others then they are easily recommended.
 
darklighthim said:
+1 for that.

I did own one untill a little spillage accident but i loved it and don't be fooled by the split keyboard because it is actually really easy to use once you get used to it. Also it has the rest which make it extremely comfortable to type on.

Not sure how much they go for since i got mine free but if they were a decent price compared to others then they are easily recommended.
Click to expand...

W, S, A & D are messed up! :p

Jokes aside, I never got to grips with one. I like the concept of slim, mechanical keyboard, a-la Apple, and I really like my Logitech Illuminated Keyboard in that respect, and the key action is great (but quite clicky and noisy). Ain't cheap though.
 
That keyboard reminds me of the Aluminium Enermax jobbie I got a while back. It lasted about a month before I sold it on. I couldn't stand it, there was no proper 'give', typing quickly was too difficult.

I can understand the appeal of extra features, buttons, brushed finishes and glowing keys but seemingly the importance of creating a product that's good to use for long periods of time has gone out the window.

JasonM said:
I only use MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 these days. Once your use to one at home, you will require one for work also.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043
Click to expand...

+2

When mine broke I just got another.

It's a pity there are so few others (even from Microsoft) about. Logitech as far as I can see don't even do a decent split keyboard. Ms themselves should really update it, the 4000's been out for a few years.
 
Last edited:
I've got one of these and think it's OK, though I'm not too picky over keyboards. I program so I'm used to typing (though not by touch) and the only problem I have with it is that it's a 'mini' keyboard, so slightly more compressed than the one I'm used to. But then I had the same problem with my last keyboard and it'll just take some getting used too.

Hadn't noticed a single problem with the space bar.
 
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