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While we here
at HotHardware have written countless articles on
motherboards, video cards, and the like, we haven't often
found the time or reason to comment on one piece of
everyone's setup, the keyboard. For the most
part, keyboards and mice get the short thrift by most
users. We know we need them (in fact, we couldn't
really do anything without them) but they are often an
afterthought. However, as more and more people are
customizing their computers, every individual piece of
hardware starts to come under consideration.
When in comes
to keyboards, Microsoft and Logitech are two big names
that probably come to mind first. Today's article
features a board from Auravision, that goes where the
other two companies have never gone before. Imagine
a board that's sturdy and light, and comes with its own
built-in light source, glowing in what we would refer to
as an "Indiglo" effect. It would be perfect for LAN
gaming, late night web surfing, and anything in between.
Well, imagine no further. Auravision's EluminX
keyboard has arrived, and it may change the way we think
of peripherals like this, forever.
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Specifications / Features of the EluminX
keyboard |
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A
lean, mean, glowing machine |
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CLICK ANY IMAGE FOR AN
ENLARGED VIEW
Technical Specifications:
General Description
Features: 1 Year Warranty, Highest Quality EL lamp, Sleep
Function
Interface: PS/2, Plug and Play
Compatibility: Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME/XP
Keys: 104 keys, 12 Function keys, Hard Plastic, Full Size
Key Caps
Patented Scissor Keys, Laser Printed Keys for Long Wear
High Quality Hard Plastic Keys, Ergonomic Tactile Key
Technology
Environmental
Operating Temp: 0° C to 50° C
Storage Temp: -20° C to + 60° C
Humidity (Operating): 80% RH to 95% RH
Key Technical Parameters
Size: 420 (L) x 156 (W) x 16 (H) mm
Cable: 1.35 m Straight
Connector: PS/2
Keyboard Weight: 0.8 kgs/pc + (EL Panel + Components ~
TBD)
Total Key Travel: 4.0 +/- 0.5mm
Peak Tactile Force: 30 +/- 8 Grams
Contact Resistance: 500 Ohms Maximum
Switch Reliability: 10 Million minimum
MTBF: 60,000 Hours
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Let there be light!
At first
glance, the board reminded us of a laptop's keyboard;
compact, with all of the keys grouped tightly
together. It also has a sleek profile, coming in
less than 2 inches in height. One might have
expected a thicker, bulkier board considering the
lighting mechanism, but the EluminX is light and thin.
Although it has such a slim profile, the EluminX
keyboard didn't feel brittle or flimsy, and should
stand up to some rough game play. The keys are
necessarily translucent to allow the light to pass
through, and gave a good tactile feel when typing out
a few e-mails and letters.
We
connected the EluminX to our test system via the PS/2
port, although an open USB port could be utilized with
the appropriate adapter (not included). Although
the board stands out in its own right, once we turned
out the lights and turned on our test system, we were
really in for a show. First used for military
purposes, the electroluminescent back panel lights up
the keys for use in dimly lit areas, radiating a soft
light blue glow. The keys are easily readable,
yet the light is not too bright, so it is not to harsh
on your eyes. The illuminated keys are an
absolute boon for gamers playing late at night in dark
rooms, or those working in the wee hours to write
reports (or reviews!). Rather than fumble around
or tilt the keyboard to the monitor to find a certain
keystroke, everything can easily be seen. Words
are not enough to fully describe the clarity that the
keys can be viewed with, and we highly recommend
viewing close-ups of the lit keys by clicking on the
thumbnails above.
We did
have a few minor complaints, none of which have
anything to do with the actual use of the board.
First, when powered, the keyboard emits a fine
high-pitched whine. It's mostly noticeable when
using the keyboard in a quiet room, and would be
completely drowned out by other ambient noises, but it
did begin to get on our nerves while testing.
The other issue we had was that the keys remained lit
for a good 10 minutes or so after we powered our
system down. Again, this is a minor point, and
might normally not be noticed, but if you keep your
system in your bedroom, the glow makes it harder to
get some well-earned shut-eye at the end of the day.
Auravision
has definitely come up with an innovative product with
the EluminX keyboard. It's a perfect fit for
late night surfers, LAN-party gamers, or anyone
looking to get something different when customizing
their system. The EluminX is slim and light and
can easily be setup on most desks, or carried with a
system in a LAN-party bag. While we received a
black/aquamarine board for testing, Auravision plans
on eventually offering three base colors (bone, black,
& silver) and six illumination colors (citrine, white,
amethyst, sapphire, aquamarine, and tourmaline) to
satisfy all wants and needs. One area that may
keep the EluminX from reaching widespread acceptance
is its price. We think the $99 MSRP may be a bit
steep for some to pay when non-illuminated boards go
for a fraction of this price. As far as we are
concerned, the cost equals the coolness and "wow"
factor. We recommend giving it a try.
Our
friends over at Crazy PC carry them. Tell
Nick HH sent you. We'll give the Auravision
EluminX keyboard a
8.5
on the HotHardware Heat Meter.
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