When it comes to buying a keyboard with backlighting, EL-indexed models of SVEN product line pop up in mind first. Indeed, for the last several years a great deal of keyboards with both LED and electroluminescent backlighting were released by this manufacturer. And the price has been rather affordable.

Today we’ll comment on multimedia keyboard with electroluminescent backlighting and, moreover, having compact and unusual design – SVEN Multimedia EL 4001.

Package and Contents

The keyboard comes in a cardboard box which appearance is a clear evidence of its miniature dimensions: 34.5 х 18 cm. The proper keyboard may be discerned through transparent «window» of the box cover.

Inside the box, except for the keyboard itself, we see an operation manual, software mini-CD and a warranty card. As with other standard functionality multimedia keyboards, drivers installation is totally unnecessary for Windows 2000 and later. So, there is nothing special about the package contents, but all the traditional attributes are available.

Ergonomics and Design

General silvery white colouring of the keyboard imparts a peculiar futuristic dash to the design. The back surface facing table, however, is black, but it is practically unseen. The bottom of the keyboard shows a pair of slip preventing feet and two fold-back legs at the rear part used to raise the keyboard above table surface at some slope to it.

A 135 cm USB cable issues from the right part of the back end.

The keyboard operating panel is divided into two sections. The multimedia control keys section at the top is arranged as a set of small black round buttons. Here we see all the classical set of functions for internet operation and media player control.

The main section is as compact as possible due to notebook-type layout specific to Dell and Acer models. Text handling keys (Insert, Delete, Home etc.) are scattered and will require some effort to get used to them. Some symbols are accessible through Fn button. Indicators are located at their usual place; they are bright enough when looked directly upon, but their brightness reduces remarkably when looked upon at an angle, as is typical for regular operation.

The keys are low-profile; the keyboard as a whole may be qualified as a slim type one though the oval «tubus» with multimedia keys on it disturbs to some extent the monotony of common slim keyboard profiles.

Operation

First off, we decided to try the chief «edge» feature of the keyboard and turn the backlighting on. This is done by pressing Scroll Lock key. Electroluminescent backlighting differs from LED one and in most cases is more pleasant. Here we see the keyboard flooded with uniform dimmed blue light making the symbols clearly visible both at night and day time. Squeak specific to electroluminescent backlighting is perceptible only in total silence from the distance of 30-40 cm, so it brings no unpleasant feelings during usual work with the keyboard.

The keyboard is extremely noiseless. Actually, it is an excellent option for night owls living with their family members and not wishing to disturb their folks with noisy hitting of the keys. This makes the key pressings not so distinct as with conventional «noisy» keyboard, but the keyboard is still handy to operate. Specific layout and tactile response demand from the user a sort of two-days effort to get used to the keyboard.

The keyboard layout is undoubtedly unusual to the desktop keyboard users, but long-time and intensive notebook users will master it practically in no time. The only thing really hard to get accustomed to is location of Insert and Delete keys; besides this nothing causes problems. Big Shift and Enter keys are especially worth appreciating.

Conclusion

In general, SVEN Multimedia EL 4001 impressed us as a pretty good keyboard which will reach its buyer provided he needs a combination of the following features: compact design, multimedia keys and electroluminescent backlighting. Besides, this keyboard is very silent-working and ideal for those who like to sit at their PCs far into the night. Its backlighting has a pleasant colour, good intensity and is very uniform, while squeaking, this chief disadvantage specific to this type of keyboards, is virtually imperceptible to the ear. Moreover, as is already traditional with SVEN products, the price for this type of keyboard is quite affordable.