Installation

Installation of a keyboard is... well, just that. I don't think I need to go into the details beyond telling you that the keyboard works well with both USB and PS/2 ports. Logitech's iTouch software is very much like their MouseWare software, except that it is for their keyboards. The functionality of any key can be configured, to a degree, and the software is easy to use. All that is needed after installation is perhaps a quick reboot. As noted before, the iTouch software is needed to use the majority of the extra keys on the Internet Navigator.

Typical configuration options for an iTouch key.

Configure the E-mail key to open up your default e-mail client.

iNav options are more specific.

The iTouch software works with almost any recent Logitech keyboard, so if you've used one before you may be familiar with the software. There are many options for the Internet Navigator on account of the many extra keys. Each key can be configured to do task, but not just any function. Typical settings are limited to:

1. iTouch website function
2. Goto other website
3. Launch Program
4. Menu of programs

The iTouch website feature directs you to a section on the iTouch website (http://www.myitouch.com), and offers you an option to register with them to save your personalized settings at that site. I didn't fine this feature to be the most useful. Launch program would have to be the most useful, since it provides a shortcut to the most used program, such as winamp, trillian, etc. The menu of programs allows you to configure a list of programs that pops up when the key is pressed. You can then select a program from that list to launch. One thing I didn't like is that the quick keys could not be configured to perform any function. For example, the 'Search' quick key (without the use of iTouch software) normally performs the function of a Winkey+F combo, or F3 if you're using a program like Internet Explorer. I couldn't find a way to configure the 'Search' key to perform a Winkey+F with the iTouch software, leaving me to configure it to launch Google.com instead.

Onscreen effects are nice, but can be disabled.

Right-clicking the iTouch systray icon displays a plethora of options.

Onscreen display works well with some 3D games (such as CS), but not well for the majority.

The 'Media' key suffered from a similar fate. Using it presents you with a limited menu of media programs to launch that are present on your computer. To my knowledge, you cannot edit this list by adding other programs to it, and sadly, winamp was excluded so that the 'Media' key could not be used to launch it. However, the other media keys such as play/stop can be used to control winamp once it has been opened. A nice feature, but I've been using the plugin CraZy Toolbar for a while that allows you to use Winkey+Z, Winkey+X, etc. to control winamp. I did, however, find the media keys easier to use than these shortcuts. The onscreen effects tell you what program or function you've just messed with, and are a nice feature but not necessary except for the volume control. As expected, the onscreen effects don't work well with most 3D games that I tested with, but did appear to work okay with Counter-Strike. (Good for you CS fans out there) I found the iNav wheel to the most useful, and configured it to scroll through applications much like Alt-Tab would. Very useful when you have a lot of application windows open. I would have preferred that you could bind any key or keystrokes to any of the quick keys and iNav wheel, as this would have made them much more useful. If this were the case, you could, for example, use the iNav wheel to scroll through your items in Jedi Knight II while using the mouse wheel to scroll through weapons.

Testing

As with my Logitech Dual Optical review, testing was conducted on a subjective basis beyond the critique of the iTouch software. I've used this keyboard for about three weeks during regular sessions of web browsing, essay typing, and relaxing sessions of gaming with FPS's and my current addiction, Dungeon Siege.

As mentioned before, this keyboard is comfy to use, despite its different posture. I suffered no problems whatsoever. I've never been a big fan of big palm rests, and the Internet Navigator was comfortable even without a rest. The sloping space bar felt a bit different since this was the first keyboard of that kind I've used, but I've adjusted to it to the point where it feels very good. The keys are very quiet, though they do have adequate tactile feedback and do not feel 'mushy' in the slightest. Although I've complained about the smaller function keys, I didn't find myself having a hard time using them. Nor did I find myself accidentally pressing any quick keys although the suspend/sleep key is very near the Escape key.

Conclusion

This keyboard is very comfortable to use (have I said that enough?), and also has some very useful extra functions, the greatest being the iNav wheel. Quality tactile feedback and the extra keys make it a good buy, though not a perfect one. The only complaints I have is a lack of configuration options for the extra keys, and the closeness of the sleep/suspend key to the Escape key which may result in accidental activation of that feature.

Pros

• Very comfortable to use for any period of time
• Extra keys can be useful; iNav wheel especially
• iTouch software easy to use
• Media keys are larger-sized and easy to use
• Works with USB and PS/2 ports

Cons

• Quick keys cannot be configured to perform any keystroke
• Sleep/suspend key close to Escape key

As a last note, I want to thank Logitech for providing this keyboard for review. This review just wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. Thanks!

UPDATE:

"It appears that I was mistaken when I claimed that Winamp could not be launched using the Media key on this keyboard. With the latest version of the iTouch software from Logitech it appears that the ability to launch Winamp *is* present. I'm truly sorry for the error. Thanks to all of you who notified me about this error." Sorry for the mistake!

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