I work all day at a PC and the lettering on the keyboards always starts wearing out after two or three months. After a year, the lettering on a number of the keys has completely disappeared. Can you recommend a keyboard where this won't happen? William Humble
Most keyboards today are cheap and therefore shoddily made compared to the IBM Model M range, which I have used for decades. These are still available but may have connection problems if connected via a USB adaptor; I've only used them with PS2 ports and they've been fine.
The nearest modern equivalent is the Cherry G-80 range, such as the G80-3000, with laser-engraved lettering. Again, this is a professional clicky keyboard designed for use with a PS2 port. More recently, Peter Cherry has branched out with the Sirius, a cheap wireless keyboard and mouse, and the eVolution range (Marlin, Barracuda, Stingray), but I've not tried any of those. Also, Cherry doesn't have an ergonomic design like the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000.
Alternatively, you might have to resort to keyboard stickers or perhaps putting a thin coating of nail varnish on the keys to protect them. (Try a little touch on a hidden part of the keyboard first.) Has anyone tried this?
Otherwise, I've been using a black Dell RT7D20 for well over a year after tipping an orange juice into my IBM keyboard, and the letters still don't look worn. I've seen these new on eBay.co.uk for £3.50, which compares with the £70 I paid for my last Model M
Backchat via email: Kate Bevan says: "The best and most rugged keyboard EVER" is the Enermax Aurora. "I love mine: sturdy, not losing its lettering, lovely touch, worth every penny."
