Sunbeam Pro-Series Illuminated Keyboard

Introduction

Lately, illuminated keyboards have become very popular with the gaming and mainstream communities. From glow in the dark keys, to LED backlight models to almost everything in between. The popularity of these keyboards are due in part to the over-all look and functionality in low lit or dark rooms such as LAN Parties, late night frag fest - were a dark room sets the mood. Finding the input keys from a new game title or a late night surf session in total darkness has never been easier thanks in part of keyboards like the Pro-Series Illuminated Keyboards. Andrew over at Xoxide asked if we wanted to take a look at the latest entry into this realm with Sunbeam's latest edition. Let's take a look.

The typical keyboard box with the keyboard, installation manual and keyboard drivers. The retail package is short, sweet and to the point. After all what all can you expect from a keyboard besides proper functionality and comfortable feel? Maybe a little illumination? Well let’s get this out of the box and see what gives with this keyboard. First off we have the following specifications.

Specifications

• PS/2 Interface
• Full sized keyboard
• Volume control and multimedia keys
• Internet hot keys
• Translucent white keys
• Blue EL film backlighting
• Backlighting On/Off
• 133 Keys
• Compatible with all Windows operating systems

Requirements & Compatibility

• Windows 95/98/2000/XP; NT4.0 with Service Pack 6 or later
• Office 97/2000/XP or later (recommended but nor required)
• Internet explorer 5.0 or later
• CD-ROM or DVD drive
• Standard sourd card for CD and Video operations
• Available USB and or PS2 port

Out of box, what you see is what you get. The keyboard is light weight for its size, and our model is based on the PS2 input connection. Having been said the keyboard is available in USB, PS2 and USB+PS2 connections. You also have a choice of colors as Sunbeam offers this model in Black, Silver in standard and illumination offerings.

The feature rich keyboard offers instant access to a number of key applications and multimedia functionality.This keyboard comes loaded with featurs for those who like a all-in-one keyboard that includes Office application keys, Internet, multimedia, clipboard and enhanced key functions. You will also geta navigation wheel with pop-up function. The pop-up function is like a mouse wheel in that it gives you an assigned click input, giving the nav., wheel a nice touch. 

Here we can see the Navigation wheel and the Cut, Copy, Paste and Mark keys, or better known as clipboard utilities. This allows you to utilize clipboard features right from the keyboard. The round button next to the Escape ( Esc ) key is the function and enhanced function key switch, this allows the user to have double assigned key bindings allowing a dual role for each key. 

The keyboard features Microsoft Office compatible keys that allow you to open up applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Calendar. These short cuts might be a good feature for those who work in a office environment of makes use of that Office suite of applications. 

The stylish design incorporates Multimedia and Internet keys, giving the user total control over volume control, Play, Pause, Stop, Eject, Mute, Pre-track/Next track. These features allow you to instantly play your favorite CD-DVD without having to use the mouse to do so. The Internet keys allow you to browse the net with ease. 

Open E-mail, Homepage, and have control over how you surf the net with the ability to move back and forth on a website, giving you the ability to search, call up E-mail and favorite sites and much more right on the keyboard. This cuts down on mouse clicks and mouse usage when working or in a 2D application that requires a lot of input. Underneath the arrow keys we see two switches that allow you to switch from background to foreground windows and even close the operating window.