I guess that phrases like 'upmarket' and 'downmarket' are still around. A certain sort of person used to label a certain kind of commodity this way. As so often with such expressions, they merely indicate a boringly obvious fact. Namely that, given any sort of product, you will find examples which are on the one hand little more than functional. That is, they do what is required of them without glamour or glitter. And, on the other hand, examples which have been given the luxury touch, or the executive touch, the super deluxe... and, needless to say, these are the most expensive. In between there is always something to suit everybody.

The keyboard which Ricoll Electronics have brought out for the Spectrum is a no nonsense steel housing which will put any office dweller in mind of filing cabinets and other office equipment with respect to appearances but not of course to size. Colour is similar too. Solid, sturdy and reliable, there are no trimmings, no smooth finish, indeed the finish is rough to the touch.

The space bar and keys follow the traditional typewriter pattern and transferring from the typewriter to this keyboard holds no problems. Nothing could be simpler or more straightforward. It's a keyboard. No more, no less. I've hinted that this is a functional piece of equipment, the lettering and information on the keys in fact consists of transfers or stick-on. They look vulnerable but do not come unstuck. They do collect marks around the edges, however.

I've been using mine non-stop now for several months and I can vouch for its reliability and ease of use. Personally I find the keys positive and responsive and can use them for hours when writing without frustration or tiredness. When using it for programming, the small size lettering will prove a problem to those not already familiar with the Spectrum keyboard.

It's quite a heavy piece of equipment and obviously designed for heavy use. Well, I've certainly given it that. And when I haven't been using it, my sons have and they are no respectors of fragile technology. In short, the keyboard has taken a fair old 'hammering' and is still going strong.

It measures approximately 280mm x 210mm x 55mm and is mounted firmly on four solid rubber cushions. Installation is no problem provided the Spectrum is handled with the care and respect it deserves in its exposed state while being transferred from one home to another. It stands to reason that disconnecting and reconnecting the ribbon cable PCBs, and fixing the board into the new housing must be done carefully. Even so, it is not a task which requires much time, or expertise for the serious Spectrum user.

If looks are not important but solid, hard-wearing efficiency is, then many people will be more than satisfied with this keyboard.