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| Germ-Free Typing |
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Reviews October 2009 • Vol.20 Issue 10 Page(s) 17 in print issue |
Germ-Free Typing Kensington Washable Keyboard | ||
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Washable USB/PS2 Keyboard $39.99 Kensington (800) 235-6708 us.kensington.com  Microbiophobia, mysophobia, bacteriophobia, germophobia . . . whatever phobia it is that relates to the fear of germs and dirt, I think I have that. OK, that might be a bit of an exaggeration—I’ve never actually been clinically diagnosed with any type of phobia, but I am a tad paranoid about germs and the spread of bacteria. And, I do spend an unusual amount of time washing my hands. That said, I might border on obsessive compulsive disorder. The bottom line is: I like to keep things clean, organized, and sanitary. And then there’s my keyboard. At my workplace, I have this one keyboard at my desk that has gotten really grungy over time (and that’s just what you can see on the surface). Somehow, even after I hook up another keyboard to test or review, I end up with the same old dirty one. The new keyboard I’ve been testing the past few weeks, the Kensington USB/PS2 Washable Keyboard, is a wise idea for a hygiene-conscious person like me—if it gets dirty or gets passed around the office and used by others, I can just give it a bath. Literally. The Kensington Washable Keyboard is waterproof, it can be easily cleaned, and it features a “built-in microbial finish that provides continuous microbe-fighting action.” To make it sound less like a superhero and more like a keyboard, simply put, the special antimicrobial coating helps protect against the spread of germs. I had only been using the keyboard for less than a month, so it really wasn’t noticeably dirty. But, as fellow germophobes know, it’s not necessarily what meets the eyes. I knew there had been some colds spreading around the office, and although not many people use my keyboard (except for the friendly IT folks who occasionally fix my computer after I’ve broken it), I still wanted to put the Kensington keyboard through its paces and give it a little rinse. The concept of a washable keyboard isn’t new; I’ve seen others on the market, but the idea of soaking an electronic device in water still seemed novel. So, I took it home after the first few weeks of use and ran it under the kitchen tap. I used a sponge and some general purpose cleaner to lightly scrub the keys. Afterward, I turned the keyboard upside-down to let it air-dry overnight. Going against all caution that electronics and liquids don’t mix, it felt as though I had just done something terribly wrong. However, the next morning, I plugged in the keyboard to find it fully functional—and most importantly, clean. (Of course, as Kensington instructs, never immerse the USB connector in water. Therefore, don’t go tossing this keyboard in the dishwasher or dunking it in the bathtub, because you likely won’t have the success I had in keeping it functional.) This keyboard is primarily intended for use in communal work environments, such as hospitals, labs, schools, and government agencies. However, it would also be fitting for a small-business setting or a family office, where lots of hands (especially the little hands of kids and grandkids) frequently share the computer peripherals. Admittedly, without its waterproof and antimicrobial qualities, there is nothing fancy about the keyboard itself. There are no multimedia keys and no special features, but typing on the keyboard is comfortable. The keys are soft-touch but responsive, and they are somewhat textured (almost like you can feel the special antimicrobial coating). Otherwise, it’s a typical, standard-sized, USB/PS2 plug-and-play keyboard. And it’s bright white—ah, clean. That said, if you need a new keyboard, and you’re looking for a basic model, you might consider this washable keyboard. At just under $40, the friendly price is comparable to other low-end keyboards, but you also gain the peace of mind knowing you can safely wash it and that it reduces the spread of germs all on its own. Whether you’re constantly in an environment where sanitization is crucial, or you simply like the idea of clean, germ-free typing, the Kensington Washable Keyboard is a good fit for all the neat freaks among us.  by Linné Ourada Send your comments to Linné@smartcomputing.com
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