Whether you use a desktop or a notebook computer, replacing your keyboard is often a great move--and a very cost-effective upgrade. 

You could opt to go wireless, for instance, saving space on your desk.  A new keyboard is almost certain to have some useful (and possibly some not so useful) hotkeys to activate your favorite programs or control the music that you're listening to.

Mice

We have an entirely separate Product Survey for mice, but manufacturers are increasingly likely to throw in a free mouse with new keyboards.

As a general rule, we think it's reasonable to expect to find a keyboard and a mouse of equal quality in the same box.

Unfortunately, though, the mice supplied are often tacky add-ons, and it seems that many manufacturers realize that users are often more sensitive to the quality of keyboards than they are mice.

The upshot of all this is that it's very often worth opting for a separate keyboard and mouse (which is why there's a separate survery for mice!)

Nevertheless, we'll still be commenting on the quality of the mice that are bundled with keyboards.

Although we weren't initially fans of Bluetooth, we have to admit that things have improved a lot since the first implementation of the specification.  

You can now take your keyboard up to 20 meters from your computer, and battery life is also much improved.  

Having said that, most of the team here has gone back to using wired keyboards after too many nasty scrapes with batteries running out at exactly the
wrong moment: it's all very well having batteries that last for months, but if those months come to an end five minutes before a deadline then you're still in trouble

Which brand?

This is probably the biggest question of all, but we can certainly give a few general pointers.  

For a long time, the market has been dominated by just two manufacturers, Logitech and Microsoft.

Microsoft usually offer the quietest keyboards, but are often the biggest sinners in terms of bundling rubbish mice.

Logitech, on the other hand, usually ship more rounded kits, but the sting is in the heavier price tag.

Recently, though, other manufacturers have joined the fray, trying to tempt users with a smattering of different offerings.

Noise

Many make a lot of noise about how quiet their keyboards are, so we've included videos with some of our reviews so you can see and hear what they're actually like to type on.