So I was looking through some of the keyboards at work the other day when I found this:

A waterproof and backlit keyboard for $4. What a steal! Why would this keyboard only be $4 you might ask?

Well there is one very, very, small issue:

The USB cable is a minuscule 7.5 inches in length. This makes this keyboard virtually unusable for most desktop users. However, laptop users who prefer a full-size keyboard  won’t be as affected by this fun-sized cord. In fact, it may prove to be less bulky to transport and provide a space saving alternative for those who are on-the-go. Now if someone wanted to use this keyboard badly enough, they could purchase a USB extension cable for about $4 and give this a normal sized cord. So it isn’t all that bad, and $8 is still a killer deal for a keyboard that has these sort of features.

IMAGE: left: regular length keyboard cord. right: waterproof keyboard cord.

So now the question is: How does the keyboard perform? Does it deliver on its promises?

Let’s find out shall we?

 

By plugging it in we can confirm that the keyboard does have a working backlight! Definitely not something you can usually find at the $4 price point. You can also turn the backlight on or off at the press of a button. Pretty neat-o mosquito if you ask me.

Now let’s get to the fun part:

 

Note that this keyboard doesn’t actually claim that it is waterproof, but it does claim to be dishwasher safe. So we should be able to extrapolate that it is waterproof right? Just to be sure, I’m about to get this keyboard absolutely soaked in a series of tests.

For science of course.

Test #1: Spill Test

Scenario: This test is to simulate the effect a spilled cup of water has on this keyboard.

Method: My method of testing is to pour 8 oz of room temperature water over the top of the keyboard, and then seeing if it will still function normally without giving it time to dry.

Hypothesis: If this keyboard claims to be dishwasher safe, this should be a walk in the park.

Results: Pass! After testing every key on the keyboard, it is still completely functional.

Although most scientific tests include a control to verify the results of the experiment, I am going to save the time and just tell you that a normal keyboard would not pass this test. You can just take my 6 years of IT experience and the word of the 100’s of customers I have assisted who’ve spilled liquid on their keyboard and had to buy a new one. Still don’t believe me? Feel free to conduct your own test right now, and I will see you tomorrow when you come in to recycle your keyboard, and help you pick out a new one 🙂

Test #2: Hot Spill Test

Scenario: It’s 3AM and that term paper you procrastinated on all week is due at 8:30, you go to take a sip of your coffee but accidentally knock it over and spill all over your keyboard! Will you be able to finish the essay in time?

This test will see if this keyboard’s waterproofing substance can hold up against hot liquids.

Method: Pour 8 oz of hot coffee on the top of the keyboard.

Hypothesis: Dishwasher water gets pretty hot, so once again I am going to say it will pass.

Results: Pass! Every key once again proved 100% functional.

If anyone is worried about this test being a waste of coffee, please rest assured knowing  it was decaf. It was a waste to begin with.

Test #3: Dishwasher Test

Scenario: Time to see if this keyboard can deliver on its promise of being ‘Dishwasher Safe’. That’s a sentence I never thought I would have to type.

Method: Run the keyboard through the dishwasher on the “normal” setting using the usual amount of detergent.

Hypothesis: This keyboard hasn’t disappointed me yet, and I don’t think it’s going to now.

Results: Pass! Is it bad that I am starting to hope this keyboard fails?

This is a real win for all you germophobes out there.

Test #4: Submersion Test

Scenario: So far this keyboard has survived everything we’ve thrown at it, now it’s time for a real challenge.

Method: Fully submerge the keyboard in hot bathwater for 1 hour.

Hypothesis: I think this is going to be it for Mr.(or Mrs.)Keyboard. Even waterproof electronics are not designed for prolonged exposure to water.

Results: PASS! Now that is impressive! A full hour of exposure and it still works perfectly!

As an added bonus, I discovered that this keyboard also floats!

Perfect for tech-savvy boaters who need an extra flotation device, as long as the person you are throwing it to is less than 8 inches away.

Conclusion

As a result of our less-than scientific tests, we can conclude with confidence that this keyboard is indeed waterproof.

For $4, I can definitely say that this keyboard is worth the money. Waterproofing may be a silly feature to have on a keyboard, but it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

I recommend this keyboard to medical professionals who need to have the ability to sanitize their equipment, clumsy college students, people who like to watch Netflix in the bathtub, novelists who like to write in the rain, scuba diving bloggers, and fish.

 

Thanks for reading!

-B