The keyboard features chiclet-style(or island-style) keys, and they’re widely spaced for a comfortably typing experience. The keys, however, are thin and feel a bit flimsy, particularly if you don’t hit each key dead center. And unlike most island-key designs, where the keyboard tray comes up to the bottom edge of the keys, the keyboard tray below the keys here is sunken down, giving the appearance that the keys are floating in air. While that might be a fun illusion, the wide gaps between the keys and around the edge of the keyboard make it easy for dust and dirt to accumulate beneath the keys.
A dedicated number pad to the right of the keyboard results in a few keys being shortened, namely the Ctrl keys, the Tab key, and four arrow keys, which are half-height. Like most if not all budget laptops, the AS5742Z-4097 lacks media control keys and requires you to use the Function keys to adjust the volume and control your media.
The laptop features a single, rocker-style mouse button. It’s firm to press unless you are clicking on either end of the button. Generally, two separate mouse buttons are preferred. The touchpad is responsive, featuring a matte surface and support for multitouch gestures such as two-finger scrolling and pinch zooming.