March 3, 2013, three years later: FOUR STARS - I just bought two more of their MUCH improved keyboards. (Never say die!) When my wife got her new computer in December, I bought the backlit keyboard. The first thing that I noticed was that they finally got rid of the silver keys, keys where the letters AND silver letters would rub off. The next thing was that you could actually see a little light - not so that it was distracting - through the letters. For that alone, I decided to order another of thei keyboards when I bought a new computer a month later. I might have given these 5 stars, but the mute button doesn't always work, and the volume control is too small. It should be the size and type of the light intensity knob. But all and all, it is significantly improved and kudos for the changes.

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This is my third backlit Saitek keyboard, and I'll give Saitek a "B" for sending one full set of keys, and three sets of specific keys when the letters blurred and then "disappeared." It's hard to articulate, but the letters just plain wear off. After the W, E, N, U, I, and H wore out for the third time, Saitek sent me a whole set and told me to install the new "board." That was too much trouble, so I've been picking them off one at a time and replacing them. Today, I replaced the B, C, U, and H. I have to admit that the E, W, and N have lasted longer.

Second, the blue back lighting is difficult to read. I would think white or yellow would have been better. During the day, I turn off the backlight. At night, I really have to squint to see what keys are what. I'm not a touch typist, but with an old IBM typewriter, I can still do 65-70 wpm. And I've been typing for 50 years, so this should have been the dream keyboard. It isn't quite a nightmare, but it's no dream either.

Am looking for a replacement. Suggestions welcome.
March 3, 2013, three years later: FOUR STARS - I just bought two more of their MUCH improved keyboards. (Never say die! ) When my wife got her new computer in December, I bought the backlit keyboard. The first thing that I noticed was that they finally got rid of the silver keys, keys where the letters AND silver letters would rub off. The next thing was that you could actually see a little light - not so that it was distracting - through the letters. For that alone, I decided to order another of thei keyboards when I bought a new computer a month later. I might have given these 5 stars, but the mute button doesn't always work, and the volume control is too small. It should be the size and type of the light intensity knob. But all and all, it is significantly improved and kudos for the changes. ***

This is my third backlit Saitek keyboard, and I'll give Saitek a "B" for sending one full set of keys, and three sets of specific keys when the letters blurred and then "disappeared. " It's hard to articulate, but the letters just plain wear off. After the W, E, N, U, I, and H wore out for the third time, Saitek sent me a whole set and told me to install the new "board. " That was too much trouble, so I've been picking them off one at a time and replacing them. Today, I replaced the B, C, U, and H. I have to admit that the E, W, and N have lasted longer. Second, the blue back lighting is difficult to read. I would think white or yellow would have been better. During the day, I turn off the backlight. At night, I really have to squint to see what keys are what. I'm not a touch typist, but with an old IBM typewriter, I can still do 65-70 wpm. And I've been typing for 50 years, so this should have been the dream keyboard. It isn't quite a nightmare, but it's no dream either. Am looking for a replacement. Suggestions welcome.