Design and Size. A basic rectangular keyboard with no wrist rests or adjustable mechanisms will suffice to get data into your computer. However, consider an ergonomically designed keyboard if you plan on doing a lot of typing; your wrists will thank you. Also keep the placement of the keyboard cable in mind: A cable that can be attached on the left or right provides more options for setting up a workspace.

Although nearly all standard keyboards made today consist of 101 keys, manufacturers have different ways of packaging those keys. For example, keyboards with a lot of room around their edges and a lot of space between the different blocks of keys have a wide, spacious feel to them, but they will also take up more desk space. Small-footprint keyboards, on the other hand, will minimize space, both on the keyboard itself and on the desktop. For instance, a standard keyboard is optimal for a desktop computer, whereas a compact portable keyboard would work best for expanding your laptop's keyboarding functions.

Make sure the keyboard meets all your needs. Those extra function, keypad and directional buttons are worth investigating. While mice and other pointing devices increase flexibility, people who do data entry or work with text documents often find that it's faster to move around the screen with directional keys than to take their hands off the keyboard and use a mouse.

Feel. Different methods are used to construct keyboards, and these methods affect how a key feels when you push down on it. At one extreme, some keyboards have a mushy feel to them, with little or no resistance against pressure on the keys. At the other end of the spectrum, some keyboards require a hard push on each key before it will register.

Sound. Noise may be another factor in keyboard choice. You can find a wide range of noise levels in keyboards, from ones that remain silent when keys are pressed to models that chatter along during high-speed typing.

Programmability. Some keyboards give you the option of programming certain keys to perform a specific task or series of tasks. A programmable keyboard can provide a great shortcut for repetitive computer tasks.

Function keys or "Hot Keys". These keys give you quick access to commands used in applications. Some newer keyboards also feature extra function keys designed specifically for use with their particular manufacturer's specifications in mind, such as sound, email, and web browser hot keys.

Enhanced features. Besides serving as an input device, some keyboards now include such features as built-in microphones and speakers. Some keyboards even incorporate a single-sheet scanner. Although none has a beverage holder yet, you can bet that manufacturers will keep looking for new ways to make keyboards more useful.