Homeschoolers can be pretty hard on their computers, or at least this family of homeschoolers is.

Newer Technology provided me with a red keyboard cover for my MacBook Pro and a Wireless Keypad that works with my MacBook and also my iPad.

The Keyboard Cover is great. I pulled it out of the box, laid it on my keyboard, and smiled at the cheery red keys. Initially, I worried a bit, as I wasn’t quite sure it was going to stay put. That is hard to explain, but there was something just a little off about how it fit to the keyboard. Within 24 hours, it was like it settled in and fit like a glove.

The “F” and “J” keys have the little bumps on them to help you find your place when touch-typing, and those feel totally natural. All of the keys are well labeled. The first day of typing felt strange, probably relating to the fit I mentioned above. After the cover settled in, my typing speed was back to normal. I do type in the 100 words per minute range, and this cover does not at all interfere with my typing speed. My family’s speed ranges from hunt and peck to 40 or so words per minute, and this cover doesn’t impact their typing either.

I am always surprised at how much dust, crumbs and stuff build up on this cover. Once a week or so, I will pick the cover up and shake it off over the trashcan. When it needs a bit more attention, I can easily take the cover over to the sink, rinse it off, and then make sure it is thoroughly dry before slipping it back on my computer.

At prices ranging from $11.99 to $19.99, depending on the style of your MacBook, this is a complete bargain. Keep that stuff out of your computer and extend computer life.

The Wireless Keypad surprised me a bit. This has your basic number pad (numbers 0-9, decimal point, operations like + and -) like I expected. It also includes keys like page up, page down, home, end, two different delete keys, and some extra function keys. The 5 key has the little bump on it, so you can touch-key easily.

It is Bluetooth, so setting it up was a breeze. It coordinates beautifully with my MacBook and is the same look and feel as the keyboard. Once it has been paired up, I simply need to turn it on and use it. One of the things I find frustrating about using a laptop is not having the number pad available to me. Now I do.

And that means that now I can make my children learn 10-Key skills. I think it is important to be able to touch-type the numbers on an adding machine

The back of the Keypad gives basic instructions, so you don’t have to find the instruction booklet when you need to pair it to a different device. Flip it over, and it tells you what the light colors mean, how to turn it on and off, and how to pair via Bluetooth.

NewerTech carries high quality products. I’m looking at replacing my MacBook’s battery and getting a cover that I can snap into place.

-Product review by Debra Brinkman, Crew Administrator, The Old Schoolhouse® Homeschool Review Crew, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, April, 2017