The Microsoft Arc keyboard is a light keyboard with a wonderful design and great usability. It comes along with dual AAA -size batteries, a driver disc and a nano transceiver. Moreover, the keyboard has a vertical arc and an apex near the centre of the keyboard.  It narrows on either end with the keys finding their place in the arc.

Microsoft has definitely been able to create a stunning looking keyboard. However, the absence of the number pad in order to make it compact would certainly put off the users who have to make use of the number pad very frequently.

The directional pad of the keyboard does not seem to be suitable for gaming, though it is ideal for your HTPC. There are just six F-keys in the Microsoft Arc keyboard and the buttons for Delete, End, Home, Page Up and Page Down have been located in the same row along with the F-keys. Users would be able to access the F7 to F12 keys by making use of FN key as the modifier.

The keyboard also has a rocker switch with four way direction instead of the conventional arrow keys. The keyboard is also not very convenient for users who are more into gaming and word processing. The absence of proper arrow keys and number pad makes the extended use of the keyboard rather discomforting. Although, the keyboard is comparatively comfortable to type and better spaced, the absence of num pad and a shallow key travel may give the users an unpleasing experience.