For a week or so now my Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite has slowly started to go bad. I say “go bad” because I can’t think of another term to define sticking keys and keys that work when they want to. This will be the second Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite I’ve gone through in two years so I think it’s time to pick another brand of keyboard.

This morning I was set on going out and coming home with a new keyboard. Why wouldn’t you just order one online (you big geek)? Well, I need a keyboard now, not five days from now and I was bored.

My criteria for a new keyboard must be borderline picky these days. I don’t want a wireless keyboard unless it’s Bluetooth (Why I Don’t Like Wireless Networking also applies to other wireless devices). I don’t need a keyboard with dozens of other buttons to do things like open my e-mail or turn the volume up or down on my speakers (those keyboards annoy me). I have a Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer so I don’t need a keyboard that comes with a matching mouse.

My first stop in this quest for a new keyboard was at Best Buy. I walked in, went to the aisle with keyboards on it, and almost instantly walked out. All of the keyboards Best Buy had were either wireless, came with a mouse, or had the quality of a pizza box. So I left Best Buy thinking that maybe CompUSA would have a better selection.

On my way to CompUSA I found a Circuit City so I stopped in and looked there. Circuit City had five keyboards to choose from and none of them met my criteria. So I continued on to CompUSA which is near my apartment.

After searching for the CompUSA near my apartment for a while I decided to just head down to South Tampa and go to the CompUSA there. As I was walking into the store I thought for sure CompUSA would have a keyboard that met my needs.

The amount of keyboards CompUSA had in stock was stifling. However, only a hand full met my criteria. Out of that handful the only one that rose above the others was the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. I don’t want another one of those.

So needless to say I came home empty handed and I’m using a keyboard that requires me to use a word processor before I publish anything online.

I don’t understand how finding a good keyboard, that’s just a keyboard (and not a control center) with a hard wire, can be so difficult. Now I’m off to research what keyboard best suits my needs.

Keep an eye out for future updates on my quest for a new keyboard.

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