I work in a dark room at night , while my spouse sleep . occasionally I need to hit a letter , function , number or some special key like '' -lrb- '' . be the poor typist that I be , this usually require either trial and error or worse turn the light on enough for I to read the key . the older I get , the more light be require to actually see the key . my search be for a well build backlit keyboard to help prevent my need for any other light source . there be another model the Microsoft Sidewinder x6 that seem interesting , however on a search this model be available for pre-order and seem interesting . my need be not as a gamer , just a sometimes past bedtime typer . this keyboard come with software from Microsoft and on the usb cable over the usb connector there be a piece of cardboard that say to install the software cd first . when open the box , the CD be not notice by I . however it be there . it install Microsoft Intellitype . which seem to do something for my pc , what I have no idea . after software install on Windows xp , my old keyboard be unplugged and this new keyboard be put in . it have work out very well . the color be a solid red , and it be easy on the eye . this be a extended 102 \/ 103 key keyboard -lrb- it have some extra key -rrb- . there be a non-detachable numeric pad . there be also a non-detachable hand rest . while the hand rest be comfortable , it would have be nice to have it removable . space be a issue in the area of my keyboard , and the hand rest use about 1\/3 of the keyboard surface area . the black for most of the keyboard be glossy , the hand rest be matte and have a textured feel . all key be light , with the exception of the space bar . the space bar be not hard to find even in the dark as its a large area flank by light key . only the top of the key glow , there be no light leakage on the side of the key or on the base of the keyboard . a choice of color would have be nice . Red be not bad , I would have prefer blue . some keyboard have a key to orient you hand for touch typist -lrb- usually a physical bump on the letter `` j '' if I recall correctly -rrb- . this allow you to orient yourself to the QWERTY keyboard without look . unfortunately all key be the same , and you must learn by use which key be where . this keyboard be a bit louder than other keyboard . I do not much care for the noise . during long period of typing , my thumb seem to get a bit sensitive to the space bar . overall when typing longish post -lrb- like this review -rrb- my finger get more tired on this keyboard than on my very old basic dell keyboard . there be 6 key label s1-s6 along the left side . additionally there be a menu key on the lower right of the main keyboard close to the space bar . these be non-standard key . what the s key do I have no idea , the menu key seem to work like the right click button . unfortunately hit it a 2nd time do not undo the right click -lrb- it do not take down the menu -rrb- . there be also multi-media key , for play \/ pause , skip fast forward , sound up and sound down also mute . there be a key that change a light from one of 3 position , I suspect its related to the game capability of this keyboard . there be also a key to set the light intensity . there be 3 level of light plus and off , you change from one to the other by repeatedly hit the light button . a final non-standard button be the calculator button , which launch the Microsoft calculator . overall it be a well make keyboard , a detachable hand rest would have be nice . my hope be over time the sensitivity to the space bar will decrease . most of the extra key be useless to I . I do really appreciate how well light this be , and how there seem to be no bleed through of light between the key . I be happy . Amazon sell this at a lower price than it be list at today . today it be list at $ 59.99 , my price be $ 45.10 . for $ 45.10 this be a very good purchase in my opinion . with any luck as this device become a bit more mature the price will settle down .