For the at Only-A Great New Keyboard
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BIG GUNS "While the For the AT Only-A Great New Keyboard layout make: The AT's keyboard is an improved version of the PC's and defuses with the good points retained and the irritating ones of the tired c corrected. But it only works with the AT. complaints, upward and outward-comfortable to new locations on the new keyboard. One as most other keys on the keyboard). won't make much difference, but the At doesn'tfirst glanceseemthemuchPC AT'sdifferentkeyboardfrom the touch and a breeze to use. As does Each key has been moved inward: Num• perfect." other one will. The tilde (-) key has Lock is now over the 8 key and Scroll• the PC's. When you take a closer look, the new Enter key, the shift keys leave been moved to make way for the larger Lock over the 9 key. you'J] fmd most of the changes are sub• you plenty of room to hit your mark, a Enter key. It won't be missed by most IBM must have heard the complaints tle, but they are all important-and long change that will certainly cut down on from PC users about the PC's not-quite• overdue. errors. PC users in it. new position where the The AT's is still the same keyboard IBM has not labeled the Tab or Back• Esc key used to be. long-enough 6-foot cord, because the cord to the AT's keyboard is 10 feet with that now-familiar clicking sound space keys-they still only have arrows The shift of the Pipe symbol key (I and \) will be noticeable. Since the back• long-a marvelous (and badly needed) and whitel gray color scheme. on them. The Tab key is wider, while the touch. Backspace key is narrower and has been slash is u~ extensively in OOS path names, it will take some time for those The keyboard is basically the same Enter, Shift, Space moved to the right slightly (above the who work with hard disks to get used to size, although it's a bit deeper at the top. The Enter key, shift keys, and space Enter key). its new position near the smaller Back• The changes have made it cleaner look• bar are most altered. The space bar now It's hard to miss the row of three has extra room around the outer edges, green LED indicator light. on the upper space key. ing and less cluttered. right-hand side of the keyboard. They All the improvements were needed; The PC AT's keyboard is separating it from the Alt and Caps Lock show wben the CapsLock, NumLock, Numeric Keypad you'll find you have fewer problems substantially different from its keys. The shift keys are wider and are since most of the nuisances and irrita• now contoured and labeled. Even the and ScrollLock keys are activated. The function keys are untouched. The predecessors. Note the enlarged numeric keypad is now distinctly sepa• tions are gone. Sadly, this keyboard is Enter and Shift keys, the Enter key is labeled. The arrows remain This arrangement is better than that rate from the typing area, with no over• only for the AT: It will not work with the segregation of the number! on those keys, but the labels are wel• on Key Tronic' s enhanced PC keyboard, PC orXT. cursor pad from the main come additions. which has red LED indicator lights on lapping Ins key. Ins has been moved completely into the keypad. Its top is In inches. this keyboard's dimensions . typewriter keys, and the general The Enter key now has a different the keys themselves. Placing the lights contoured like most of the larger keys, are: width, 18.4; depth, 8.3; height, 1.5, Selectric appearance. The three shape, strongly resembling that of a high on the keyboard makes it easy to see while the Del key has been shrunk. and it weighs in at 6 pounds. squares above the pencil ledge typewriter Return key. It will be hard to which keys are on without lifting your contain indicator lights for the This new arrangement for Ins and Del Of course there will be those who, as miss the "target" from now on when frogers. CapsLock, NumLock, and will delight WordStar users, because the always "want more;" and such im• Scroll Lock keys. entering data. The shift keys slope Moved Keys two are more easily distinguishable. The provements as an LED indicator for the The sometimes troublesome Ese key changes in the Ins key will reduce your Ins key, function keys across the key• has been moved to a relatively hannless likelihood of tapping the CapsLock key board's top, and perhaps a separate cur• instead. sor movement keypad (like on the Texas position at the top left-hand side of the numeric keypad above the Home key. The numeric keypad also sports such Instruments personal computer) will be valid items on the PC AT wish list. Anyone wbo has ever tapped the Esc key improvements as a shorter plus sign key. instead of the Tab or I key will appreci• The minus sign key is the same size, but That wish list and slight adjustments ate this change. it has moved down slightly to make to be made are more than compensated The Backspace key, although it room for the newly positioned PrtSc key. for by all of the PC AT's slick improve• hasn't been moved far, could be a prob• which is now just above it. Just above ments and welcomed refmements. lem on the AT because of its small size. PrtSc is the newest key. SysReq, which If you do get an AT, you may need The combination of the shrinkage and will be used in networking. time to get used to it. But for the most the move could cause you to tap the Pipe The NumLock and ScrollLock keys part, the new keyboard will prove to be an effortless link to the new AT technol• symbol key instead. still rest at the top of the numeric keypad, Two typing keys hav~ been moved to but they are now smaller (the same size ogy. -BU. A1vemaz PC MAGAZINE. NOVEMBER 13. 1984 PC MAGAZINE. NOVEMBER 13. 1984 120.