Microsoft brand keyboards come with an extra key, decorated with a Windows logo, called the Windows Key. If your keyboard does not have one, you can hit Ctrl+Esc instead.

Ideally you don’t want a numeric keypad. Without the keypad the keyboard is considerably narrower. The means you don’t have to stretch to reach the mouse. This saves shoulder strain. Most people never use the numeric keypad. You can buy a detachable keypad you can move out the way when you are not using it, or a keyboard with a logical embedded keypad, such as the Kinesis, you can turn on using the normal keys. Such narrow keyboards are hard to find at retail outlets. Kinesis, Microsoft and Gyration, GoldTouch, and A4Tech make them.

Black or grey keyboards have the practical advantage of hiding grime. You still have to clean them to get rid of grit and hair that will interfere with the key action.

Replacement keyboards cost from $30.00 CAD to $100.00 CAD Canadian. If the one you are using offends you, throw it out and get another.