We’ve reached a point where more and more devices within our home are connecting to the internet; televisions that can access YouTube, video game consoles that connect to Facebook, and tablet computers that surf the web in our kitchens. With each a keyboard is optional, but as we all know, sure would be handy. The Arc Keyboard is precisely the right tool for the job. Small and practical, it is surprisingly simple to install, very comfortable to use, wireless, and yes, stylish.

There is no installation. No drivers, no software, nothing. nada, zip, zero. PC or Mac, it doesn’t matter. You simply plug it into the USB port and it “just works”. When you’re done you simply unplug it. You don’t have to mess with the “Safely Remove Hardware” wizard or wait for the system to power down. Pop it in, pop it out, it’s that easy.

This is quite a reversal from using Microsoft’s keyboards and mice in the past, which come wrapped with green warning stickers that predict dire consequences for those who forget to install the set-up disc before plugging in their hardware. You have to wait for driver files to load and go through set-up wizards, all for a set of Windows-only features that only a small percentage of owners actually use. The Arc Keyboard seems to reflect the new simplicity philosophy embraced in Windows 7, let’s hope it continues with Microsoft’s future hardware products.

The Arc uses a wireless USB system. This involves a tiny “Nano Transceiver” that plugs into the USB port of the computer or device you’re connecting to, creating a 2.4 GHz wireless connection for a range of about thirty feet to wander around with the keyboard. The transceiver is so small that with machines that have recessed USB ports (Xbox 360 for example) it can be a tricky task to remove it later on.

Since the keyboard is designed to be moved from one device to another, from one room to the next, the Nano Transceiver is magnetic, allowing it to be held in place within a small hole in the back of the keyboard. It pops in place quite easily and, despite my best efforts, won’t fall out.

Unfortunately it’s not a Bluetooth keyboard and so can only connect with devices that have a USB port. This means that it won’t work with Smartphones, for example, but works just fine with the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, not just for typing, but also for navigating menus and settings.

The Arc name refers to the ergonomic curve within the design of the keyboard, as well as a marketing nod to Microsoft’s design-friendly Arc mouse. They keyboard’s highest point is in the middle of the function keys and the number row, then in slopes down to the spacebar and curves out to the left and right to make it easier to rest on your lap.

The size is just right, wide enough and with raised keys to make it comfortable for typing, but small enough that you can grip it from the sides like a steering wheel. This allows your right thumbs to grab a directional pad (disguised as an extra key) in the lower-right corner and your left thumb to reach the Escape key, used as the “back” function for most devices, at the upper-left.

Just two AAA batteries are used and to help you conserve juice you can power on and off they keyboard by holding down the function and escape keys. The power light flashes to match, three flashes when shutting off, one long flash when turned on.

Piano black with a white underbelly, the Arc keyboard looks far better in real life than in pictures. Its finish is a bit too polished, it collects fingerprints and smudges with alarming ease.

Perhaps the best market for the Arc Keyboard at the moment will come from those with Media Centre PCs connected to their televisions. Over the years Microsoft has tried to market a number of remotes and media centre keyboards to go with their software, but they’ve been too encumbered to really deliver much value. The Arc Keyboard, which launches at the end of March for $70, is so lightweight and practical it’s easily their best solution for the task.