In contrast to the majority of computer components and peripherals, the humble keyboard has quietly undergone a revolution over the past half-decade or so. Previously the last thing you cared about, and more often than not stuffed in the sub-£5 box at the local computer fair, the keyboard has been a major beneficiary of several shifts in computing.

For one, it's benefited from the media revolution, giving keyboard makers the world over a simple excuse to smack an array of media-related keys and extra buttons onto their boards. Secondly, people have become more health-aware, and thus the keyboard is rarely treated - except by the laptop market - as an afterthought any more.

And finally there's been the aesthetic overhaul of the PC, with eroding price margins forcing manufacturers to big-up the looks of their equipment to help snag a sale. End result? A good quality keyboard now at least demands £20-30, and it's not unreasonable to spend more.

Gembird's slim illuminated keyboard is very much in tune with modern day aesthetic demands, courtesy of a blue backlight that may isolate some, but undeniably has some style about it. It's a board with a surprisingly small footprint, very much living up to its slim promise but also constraining its width down to the bare minimum.

Yet this has been achieved via some severe and quite damning compromises over the keyboard layout. Firstly, it commits a cardinal sin by cutting the Enter button vertically in half; those people expecting to move their fingers to the usual place for a quick Return are as likely to hit the hash key, which has cut into its space.

Also, to the left of the space bar now lies the backslash key and there's no Control button to the right of the space bar. Add in a cut-down backspace button and a reasonably compact space bar, and it's a keyboard that does no favours to any but the most precise of typists.

It's a pity, as the idea of a keyboard without the added collection of media buttons is going to be an attraction for many. And the keys themselves are comfortable to use, with a levelled amount of travel and a happy enough feel. Plus, turn the lights out and that blue glow really began to grow on us. Its aluminium construction also makes it light yet sturdy.

However, the final mark against the Gembird is an equally damning one, and that's the £40 price tag. Market leaders such as Logitech and Microsoft will sell you more comfortable and more practical devices than this, and there's little reason why they shouldn't get your money.

Their keyboards may not light up in the dark, but the chances of you getting frustrated with them, and having to worry about a layout that's getting in the way of your work, are non-existent.

A reasonably comfortable keyboard to work with, yet it's overpriced and it makes too many practical compromises to achieve its minimal footprint. The pretty blue glow doesn't really compensate for these shortfalls.