Photos: An alphabetical keyboard

Electrical engineer John Parkinson developed the concept for this keyboard in time for last year's Consumer Electronics Show, but had no prototype to display. At this year's show, in Las Vegas, he'll have keyboards on hand that reflect his design, which he says is more efficient than the QWERTY layout.

Not everyone sees the need to move away from QWERTY. Ergonomically friendly keyboards, such as this one from Microsoft, are a staple of cubicle life.

This variation on the standard QWERTY keyboard is intended for people with vision problems. This is the Keys-U-See model from The Key Connection.

IBM has developed Shark, an advanced pen-based shorthand method that allows users to input words into mobile devices by tracing them letter by letter on a virtual keyboard. Pictured is the shorthand for the word "layout" on a QWERTY keyboard.

Some designs don't even look much like a keyboard. The Ergodex DX1 Input System, which is primarily aimed at game enthusiasts, includes a pad, a removable tray, 25 numbered keys with a storage tray, preprinted labels, an installation CD and a quick-start guide.