Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 | 
 enlarge | Brand: Microsoft
Category: CE
List Price: $59.95
Buy New: $24.99
You Save: $34.96 (58%)
New (55) Used (5) from $12.99
Rating:  480 reviews
Sales Rank: 91
Color: N/A
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: MS Windows XP Media Center compatible
Keyboard: QWERTY
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 20 x 11 x 3
nv:Keyboard Type: Ergonomic
Connection Type: USB
Special Features: Zoom
Special Features: Multimedia Controls
Warranty: 3 years warranty
MPN: B2M-00012
Model: B2M-00012
UPC: 882224015462
EAN: 0882224015462
ASIN: B000A6PPOK
Release Date: September 15, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Cutting-edge design and improved performance for maximium productivity | | • | E-mail and Internet hot keys |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
A 14 degree gable separates the two groups of keys, which is complemented by the curved key bed and 7-degree wrist rest for what looks to be a truly comfortable typing experience. Other notable features include a zoom slider, five programmable favorites keys for launching documents and applications, forward & backward keys located in the center of the keyboard, hotkeys, and the standard enhanced function keys.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 45 more reviews...
 Very happy with the keyboard October 29, 2005
Greg Broiles (San Jose, CA United States)
75 out of 80 found this review helpful
I just picked this up this afternoon and have been very pleased with it so far. I used it to replace a Microsoft Natural Elite keyboard. The wrist/palm rests feel very nice, and I like the fact that the keys are quiet - I'm trying to train myself to take notes while on the phone using the computer instead of using a pad of paper, and I find that loud typing while I'm talking on the phone can interfere with my hearing the other person, and with their perception of my attention. The software does seem relatively Spartan but to be honest I'm not a big user of customization features, so it doesn't impact my use of the device. In the past, I haven't even bothered to install keyboard driver software. The zoom feature works nicely in Firefox, I don't use IE much.
So, for my use - standard typing for many hours/day, minimal use of special features - it's a great keyboard. I'm glad it's got the older-style cursor key/insert-delete-scroll key setup, rather than the setup used on the Natural Elite, that I never did really become accustomed to.
Chances are pretty good I'll buy another one to use at home this weekend - I am really happy with this, enough so that I'm ready to give up the old ergo keyboard I've got at home that doesn't have the negative tilt but does have the arrow-key configuration that I prefer.
I realize that split keyboards are interesting to a minority of the population (and everyone should use what works best for them) - but if you're one of the split keyboard people, I suggest giving this one a try.
I love this keyboard! September 6, 2006
Neilisa (Tulsa, OK United States)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
I'm one of the many who have been typing for years; from college where I earned money as a typist, to secretarial work, and now as a software engineer and a part-time writer, so needless to say that my keyboard is basically a constant companion.
From years of typing I've come to learn my likes and dislikes of keyboards. I was one of those who ordered the very first Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard as soon as it came out, and I fell in love with it. After seven years, my faithful keyboard finally gave up the ghost and so I was forced to purchase another.
I was at first lured to purchase a different brand name ergonomic keyboard because it was cheaper, and boy did I regret that decision. Some of the keys were moved from their standard positions, the ENTER key was much larger, which meant the SHIFT key was smaller and the back slash key was moved to the last row. The spacing between the number keys was wider so I had to readjust my reach, and, to make things worse, the keys kept sticking. The whole layout was not to my taste.
In contrast, this keyboard is perfectly suited to me. The keys tap much softer which means my fingers don't absorb as much shock when I'm typing. I type over a 100 wpm and when your fingers fly over the board, they tend to tap harder. The keys are also laid out exactly how you would expect them to like any other keyboard. The shortcuts are my favorites where some are pre-set with others that you can set yourself.
Basically, I have no complaints. I'm very happy with my purchase.
The best ergo keyboard - even for a Mac April 14, 2007
S. Chaturvedi (San Francisco, CA)
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I use a Mac and I like ergo keyboards. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't make any ergo keyboards. This MS keyboard is one of the few PC keyboards out there that also have the Apple logo on the box - Macs are fully supported and the included CD contains drivers for the Mac.
Installation was easy and all the special keys worked right out of the box. I'm not a big fan of special keys but now I find myself using volume up/down and play/pause buttons which work seamlessly with iTunes. There are five shortcut keys labeled 1-5 across the top. You can set these up to launch five of your frequently used applications. These provide Mac-like simplicity in the setup - you simply push the key and it gives you a dialog box where you can browse and select the application you want to assign to the key. Once that is done, pressing the key launches the application. To change applications, there is a 'star' key that pops up the key settings dialog box for all 5 keys. You can also reprogram the other special keys (e.g. volume up/down, calculator, home, search, mute etc.) if you want.
The zoom function (a two way 'sliding key' you can push up or down), located right in the middle of the keyboard, is pretty useful too. It works great with web pages, letting me quickly make the font bigger or smaller. It also works with iPhoto (letting me zoom into and out of pictures) and many other apps.
The wrist pad is non-detachable but it blends in nicely with rest of the keyboard. It is also built with a high quality material (not the cheap rubbery stuff that makes the wrists sweat). They keys themselves have a good typing feel to them - they're not soft or tinny but pretty well-defined - just the kind I like. Definitely try it out since in the end that's the feature you'll use the most :). Key-press feel is a matter of preference and I've bought keyboards (Adesso Ergo for Mac comes to mind) that I just couldn't use.
Couple of things to remember when using on a Mac - the command, option and control keys (Mac terminology) are labeled the PC-way (i.e. Alt, Ctrl etc.). There is no CD-eject button, but I set-up the 'home' key in the top left corner to eject the CD. Also, watch out for the 'F Lock' key next the F1-F12 function keys - it is a toggle key that changes the function of F1-F12.
Best keyboard I've used October 12, 2005
T. Becker (Raleigh, NC USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I've had a Natural Keyboard Pro for years, and now use it at work. I was looking for a new home keyboard to replace the one from the MS Wireless Optical Desktop Comfort Edition (which is also a fine keyboard - if you're not a gamer; see the reviews for details). While I liked the comfort curve keyboard, it wasn't a true ergonomic, and it gave me problems in gaming. So when I saw that MS had redone the Natural Keyboard Pro, I jumped on it. The reverse slope feels different at first but it isn't difficult to get used to at all. The attachment does come off if you don't like it though. The keyboard feels very well put together, typical of MS periphrials in my experience.
I noticed that one user had complained about the software. If you've used Intellitype before, don't expect anything new in version 5.3, which ships with this keyboard. As far as I can tell, the only thing added was support for the new keyboards. I have no major faults with it, although I've never owned a Logitech keyboard so I'm unable to compare it with their software.
The only downsides to this keyboard are that the keys, despite having good feel and feedback are pretty quiet; it's not a clicky keyboard. Also, with the reverse slope attachment on, it's a very high keyboard, something to keep in mind if you use a keyboard drawer or tray. My tray will not quite slide under the desk anymore with this keyboard on it. Still, these are minor faults with an otherwise excellent product.
Negative Tilt! A Plus! May 9, 2006
Lady Naava
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I don't understand why most keyboard manufacturers don't buy a clue and realize that keyboards like this one (with a negative tilt), (negative tilt is when a keyboard has lifts in front to tilt the keyboard forward, so your fingers are lower than your palm) are what typists need to have correct ergonomic position.
After some careful research, I decided to purchase this keyboard, and I'm not disappointed. This keyboard is extremely comfortable, the keys are very 'soft' the wrist wrest comfortable and the position of all the keys quite natural. It shipped from Amazon's partner in 2 days and I got it quite quickly. It is easy to install with a drivers CD, and I thoroughly recommend it. One of the few keyboards on the market with Negative tilt.
5 Stars.
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