In contrast to the majority of computer components and peripherals, the humble keyboard has quietly undergone a revolution over the past half-decade or so. Previously the last thing you cared about, and more often than not stuffed in the sub-£5 box at the local computer fair, the keyboard has been a major beneficiary of several shifts in computing.For one, it's benefited from the media revolution, giving keyboard makers the world over a simple excuse to smack an array of media-related keys and extra buttons onto their boards. Secondly, people have become more health-aware, and thus the keyboard is rarely treated - except by the laptop market - as an afterthought any more.
And finally there's been the aesthetic overhaul of the PC, with eroding price margins forcing manufacturers to big-up the looks of their equipment to help snag a sale. End result? A good quality keyboard now at least demands £20-30, and it's not unreasonable to spend more.