Cherry G83-6191 keyboard for children

The Cherry G83-6191 is a keyboard with a small but significant difference from most models: the printed letters on the key-tops are in lower-case, not the usual capital letters.

Cherry's idea is that because children learn to write in lower-case letters, it doesn't make sense for them to have to switch to upper-case when they use a computer keyboard, as children nowadays do early in their education.

The simple answer, printing the letters in lower-case, works well here, and it gives the keyboard a friendly, easy-to-read feel. The letters are large, which also helps with readability, and the contrast between off-white keys and dark letters is good.

Those key-tops are specially coated to be ‘abrasion-proof', which means the print should remain for longer than on a standard keyboard, even after repeated use.

Like many Cherry products we've reviewed, the G83-6191 was sturdy and well-built, and the keys had a definitive, pleasant action when pressed.

It's a wired keyboard though it comes with an older PS/2 plug, not the more common USB plug. If your computer doesn't have a PS/2 keyboard socket you'll need an adapter for a few pounds.

Its list price is a little high but the keyboard is available for just over £20 online from Scan Computers, which makes it excellent value whether your house has learners or not.