If you work in an office, chances are your surroundings can get to be a little jaded now and then.
While most of us don’t have the luxury or permission to gut-renovate our cubicles, we can at least take some measures to change the little things, like our tech accessories, so our work environment doesn’t become too lackluster. For starters, I bet you’ve been tapping on that same old hunk of plastic for a long time now. Well, a simple thing like your desktop keyboard is the perfect place to start revamping your space.
For both Mac and PC users alike, here are five chic keyboard choices, guaranteed to give your workspace a lift:
Microsoft Arc
The supermodel of keyboards, the Arc is a true representation of fabulous product design. Not only is she wireless, but she bends and features a curvaceous domed figure via the magnetic nano-receiver folding underneath for cozy, easy use on laps. Also, this stylish device is available in black, white and a too-cool-for-school lime green.
Logitech diNovo Edge
Both Mac and PC users can equally benefit from this elite device. Not only is it uber stylish with an onyx, glossy, almost-translucent Plexiglas sheath and elegant brushed aluminum detail, but the keyboard boasts some great features, too including:
• A cradle for charging the Edge upright, which also serves for maximizing your desk space
• A touch-sensitive volume adjuster
• A TouchDisc for scrolling/moving the cursor
• Ultra-quiet scissor-switch keys
Impecca Custom Carved Bamboo Keyboard
Tree huggers unite, here’s the best way to add a bit o’ green to your scene. This revolutionary keyboard is totally organic, as it is hand-carved from 100% biodegradable bamboo material. While the inner-workings of this doo-dad consist of the same techy metal and plastic stuff, it’s nice to know there’s one less hunk of plastic destined to be chucked atop a landfill.
Art Lebedev Optimus Maximus
For the avant-garde film lover, modern-art museum goer, and anyone willing to spend a hip $2,400 on a keyboard that doubles as a sculpture, this is the ideal accessory. It’s not just a work of art; this keyboard is a phenomenon. Each of Maximus’ 113 keys is a miniature, programmable OLED display! That means you’ve got about a million different options at your fingertips – literally. Program keys to display letters, symbols, macros, shortcuts, math functions and more (not to mention you can choose from a slew of languages like Ancient Greek, Georgian, Arabic and more). Hey, if you’re gonna shell out over two grand for a keyboard, you better be able to do whatever the heck you want with it – and with this one, you can.
Apple Wireless Keyboard by ColorWare
Minimalism is in, and Apple’s take at it is a suitable one with this slimline design that helps you keep your cool on the down-low. The keyboard features an anodized aluminum case and is even more waify than the average keyboard (about a quarter the size, in fact).
The hot spot of this keyboard, however, is that its low-profile style doesn’t fall into the aluminum-and-white mainstream category like most simplistically-designed devices do these days. Rather, users can “color outside the lines” with its ColorWare feature.
Custom specialists at Apple are at your service to coat this keyboard in your choice of color (you can even make the keys one color with contrasting-colored text). Classy, custom and creative: it doesn’t get much better than this.