CNET Editor's rating: 7.0 out of 10
Reviewed by
Felisa Yang
Review date: 09/19/05
Release date: 09/06/05
The good: Ergonomic design leads to wrist comfort; enhanced function keys for common shortcuts; five programmable favorites keys; dedicated back/forward keys for Web surfing.
The bad: Takes up a lot of desktop space; isn't compatible with PS/2 adapters.
The bottom line: Microsoft's ergonomic keyboard is comfortable to use and supplies a few useful extras.
Computer keyboards are like mattresses--you don't know how crappy yours is until you try a good one. If you don't have an aversion to split keyboards, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 can help you keep RSI therapy off your list of things to do this year. The split keys and the angled keyboard keep your wrists in a more natural and comfortable position, and the dedicated (and programmable) buttons reduce the amount of mousing you do. At $64.95, however, the keyboard is rather pricey, and it takes up a lot of desktop acreage.
Setting up the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is a breeze. Load the IntelliType Pro 5.3 software from the included CD, restart your computer, and plug in the USB keyboard. The printed quick-start guide gives instructions for using a PS/2 adapter, but we tried it on two different systems and couldn't get that to work. Microsoft confirmed our findings that the keyboard isn't PS/2 compatible; we would rather use the PS/2 connector to free up a USB port.
Along the top edge of the bulky Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is a row of programmable silver buttons. Aside from the five Favorites buttons, they come preprogrammed to do things such as open a browser window, open an e-mail client, control media playback, and open the desktop calculator. You can easily reprogram them to open a different version of a program (for example, Firefox instead of Internet Explorer or Outlook instead of Hotmail) or to do something different altogether (such as open a particular file or launch a program). The five Favorites buttons aren't preprogrammed; if you forget what functions you've assigned them, hitting the My Favorites button calls up a window that shows you.
The function keys also do double duty on this keyboard. With the F Lock on, they perform their standard functions. With the F Lock off, they execute a number of shortcuts, including undo/redo, save, print, and reply/forward/send for e-mail programs. The F keys are all labeled with their secondary functions.
In the area between the split keys resides a two-way toggle that lets you zoom in and out of the active page. Below the spacebar (and between the wrist pads) are two buttons--back and forth--that allow you to move between Web pages without having to reach for your mouse. Both features are welcome additions, as they cut down on mousing.
The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 offers a couple of additional features that will appeal to those concerned about repetitive stress and proper wrist alignment. The two halves slant down from the middle, allowing you to keep your wrists in a more naturally rotated position. Also, the keyboard comes with a snap-on riser that gives the unit a bit of a backward slant, which prevents you from flexing your wrists. Some sort of faux leather covers the built-in wrist rests, giving them a smooth yet supple feel. Although the wrist rests are padded, they're still rather hard and not nearly as comfortable as the gel wrist rests you can get elsewhere.
Microsoft offers a three-year warranty on the keyboard and free phone support for the first 90-days--after that, support will cost $35 per request. Microsoft's support Web site has a searchable knowledge base, FAQs, and software updates. You can also access chat and e-mail support at the company's site.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Fantastic redesign by Microsoft
Whoever led the design team for this keyboard deserves a raise. I've been using this keyboard for a little ...
Whoever led the design team for this keyboard deserves a raise. I've been using this keyboard for a little over a week and must say I am thoroughly impressed. I switched to a split keyboard around 2 1/2 years ago. I found that after the initial few weeks of getting used to it (and I stopped tapping on the split between the keys every time I went to hit the B key with my right hand) I could no longer stand to type on a standard flat keyboard. This new design from Microsoft takes that comfort to the next level.
The geometry of the keys is such that it feels like there is almost no finger travel. The keys themselves have a pseudo notebook like feel but much better balanced than most notebook keys and they have a deeper travel. This is also, by far, the quietest keyboard I have ever used. Being a night person it's nice to not have that *click - clack - click - clack* pouring through the house at 4AM.
Although the alternate layout for the Delete, Home, etc. keys of the previous Natural keyboards didn't bother me as much as it did most people, I still prefer the original design. Thankfully Microsoft has returned to a traditional layout those keys. Another REALLY nice change over the previous keyboards that had the additional functions for the F keys is that if you have the function lock turned on when you reboot the system, it will stay on. I hated having to hit the function lock every time I booted to get the function keys to behave properly. Thank you Microsoft for wising up on that one!
The keyboard ships with a removable front foot that gives it a negative tilt. When in place the keyboard tilts away from you toward the monitor. Add that to the new wrist rest which is faux leather padding instead of hard plastic and you have a very natural (no pun intended) and comfortable hand position.
If you are willing to take the time to get used to the new shape of the key bed, your hands will thank you in the end. Highly recommended.
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by LobsterDK (see profile) -
September 27, 2005
65 out of 70 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre Returned keyboard within 1 week.
I'm normally a big fan of microsoft ergo keyboards, and have always prefered ergo over a standard keyboard. However, ...
I'm normally a big fan of microsoft ergo keyboards, and have always prefered ergo over a standard keyboard. However, after a few days of using this newly redesigned keyboard, I was extremely disappointed and had to exchange it for a standard logitech keyboard.
First, this keyboard is very large. This really isn't a problem. However, the tiny plastic feet that support the back of the keyboard can barely support it's weight. Any pressure on these feet will cause them to bend or break. Once looking at them, you'll easily see why.
Second, it looks like Microsoft decided that since the keyboard was split and that they had extra room, they would change the size of a few lettered keys towards the middle so they are twice the size of a normal key! Add this to the fact that the keys feel "squishy" and you've got one crazy typing experience. It certainly does not feel natural at all. I really did try to get use to this, but I kept finding myself pressing incorrect keys, or having to look at the keyboard to make sure I hit the right key.
The large hot keys at the top of the keyboard are a nice touch. But for media playback, it has a Play/Pause button, and that's it. No next, forward, back, or even a stop button. For no apparent reason, they are simply nowhere to be found.
Now, it does feel comfortable (even though you can barely type at half your normal typing speed), and it looks great. And that's where the compliments end. I even had 2 other friends try out the keyboard, and they agreed... it's just not natural.
While this keyboard may be "comfortable" and looks nice, it's just not practical for daily use if the feet break, the keys feel strange, and it slows down your typing experience. I'd suggest going with an older microsoft ergo keyboard or sticking with a standard keyboard.
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by omegafiler (see profile) -
December 18, 2005
35 out of 50 users found this user opinion helpful.
7 out of 10 - Very good Massive and comfortable, but terrible software.
Now let me just say there's nothing wrong with the software, it's just limited to the point of ...
Now let me just say there's nothing wrong with the software, it's just limited to the point of being almost nonexistent, it integrates itself into Windows, and does very little, I am spoiled by my Logitech Elite and it's plethora of media keys and their large amount of configurability, you could reconfigure any key to open up a menu and then add programs to that pop-up menu. I wouldn't have purchased this keyboard had I known you only got ONE program per key, which means I'm back to navigating and cluttering my desktop with shortcuts, one can only hope someone makes custom drivers and adds that wonderful functionality.
The keyboard itself is solid; it has the best space key I've ever felt and it's silent while feeling oh so sturdy. The zoom slider is interesting, but useless most of the time, if it could be configured to be a scroll bar that would be welcome. The fact that the back and forward buttons have to be reconfigured to work in Microsoft's own WMP 10 is annoying, they have to be dubbed media keys in order to work, which means they can't be used for Browsing, it'd be nice if they'd included back/forward media buttons, but this isn't a media keyboard so I have no room to whine.
The pretty and space saving volume popup is very nice and appreciated, the ability to use my default browser is highly appreciated, the fact that F-Lock has to be ON to use normal keys has always annoyed me, and the fact that the extended functionality of the F-keys doesn't come with any of the `My' folders preconfigured and painted on is annoying, but once again, it isn't a media keyboard.
This would be great for basic home-office usage, it might be too large for most work-office environments, overall, aside from lacking software, excellent keyboard.
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by Revrant (see profile) -
September 28, 2005
30 out of 35 users found this user opinion helpful.
2 out of 10 - Terrible Have to BEAT the keys!
After only two days of using this keyboard at work I returned it to IT. My fingers ached from having ...
After only two days of using this keyboard at work I returned it to IT. My fingers ached from having to slam the keys to make sure they registered properly. The space bar was particularly terrible. This keyboard has the most awful key response I have ever had the unpleasant experience of using.
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by cjtyo (see profile) -
March 31, 2006
20 out of 25 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Two wide to allow ergonomic mouse action
This keyboard feels great at first use, but if you are small, reaching the extra inches for the mouse will ...
This keyboard feels great at first use, but if you are small, reaching the extra inches for the mouse will take its toll on shoulder muscles. While it fixed the repetitive motions issues with my hands, it created chronic pain in my upper arm. Why not narrow the arrow key section and make this a little narrower?
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by jbergren (see profile) -
February 16, 2006
15 out of 20 users found this user opinion helpful.
Microsoft did their homework. ...
There are a number of things I like about this board:
1. It is very comfortable
Microsoft did their homework. The hand positioning is quite relaxed. There is also a very nice pleather (or something) pad that runs the whole length of the board.
2. Key positioning
It is almost the same as on other, flat keyboards. As soon your hands get used to being so far apart, they forget they're on a different keyboard.
However, there are a couple little, but important things that kept it from getting a better rating:
1. Stiff spacebar
I'm sure it's still stiff because I just got the board an hour ago. But it is noticable.
Hotkeys:
Meh. Average number of hotkeys. Programming them is not as free as I'd like, but that's the way all manufacturers do it now, so... Meh.
Conclusion:
All in all, a worth while purchase. It's got it where it counts (very comfortable, easy to adjust to key layout). I'll be buying another when this one kicks the bucket.
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by IamGav (see profile) -
September 28, 2006
What a lesson learned. ...
Bought this Microsoft product feeling that it would have some quality (PS: I like MS products).
What a lesson learned. The long space bar doesn't go down smoothly unless you hit it in the center. Well why do we call it a "bar", just make it a key.
Keys aren't anybetter either. Asides from my right thumb that is starting to ach (ergonomics!) I am starting to feel strain in both fore arms from. Not to mention the mental torment of finding "B" on the wrong side of touch typing split.
I think these design happy staff at keyboard companies should leave certain things intact. a) Dont mess with Insert-Delete-Home-End-PgUp-PgDn cluster ever, ever again. start with kids keyboard if you want to make a genrational change like that. b) Leave the keys where touch-typing tells where they should be. Dont reinvent every thing every time. c) please focus of usability not just fancy (cheap) design.
10 out of 20 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Wonderful tool for data entry...
I love this keyboard. I have had several Microsoft Natural keyboards over the years and this is the best one ...
I love this keyboard. I have had several Microsoft Natural keyboards over the years and this is the best one ever. The keys feel great and it is so quiet. I do recommend picking one up, if you have the means...
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by Robert.Tackett (see profile) -
October 10, 2005
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
4 out of 10 - Mediocre If you are a woman, child, or have average or smaller hands OUCH
This is definitely a keyboard you want to test at least a little before you buy. As said in the ...
This is definitely a keyboard you want to test at least a little before you buy. As said in the title if you are a child, woman, or anyone with average or smaller hands (mine are average) this keyboard will be more painful for you than a regular keyboard. When typing the main keys you are fine and this definitely has a much more ergonomic feel than other keyboards I have tested over the years. The problem lies when you have to reach for the keys (that are hard to reach even on a regular keyboard) such as the 1,2,0,-,+,and BACKSPACE keys. If you have above average length fingers this may not be a problem but if you have average to below-average length fingers/hands there is definitely a problem due to the fact that these keys slope downward away from the reach of your hands in addition to the regular reach you have on a non-ergonomic keyboard. Those keys are in a different zip-code on this keyboard. The downward slope feels great with the regular keys but constant reaching for the 1,2,0,-,+, and BACKSPACE keys will cause pain rapidly. If they would have made those keys closer or not had those keys slope down and away from your hands it might be OK. Or if they made the keys near them smaller to make these keys a little closer. Other than this, (although the main reason for getting an ergonomic keyboard is to cause less stress on your fingers, wrists, and lower arms), this keyboard is above average. This might not be a problem if you are someone with large hands. In that case this could be a great keyboard. Or if they made one with smaller keys, or keys not so far apart, or out of reach due to the downward slope of the keyboard. Also, the b key either feels out of place or should have been made bigger because with the reach you end up missing the key sometimes because you have to bend your finger just right to hit it. As for the non-ergonomic aspect of the keyboard there are plenty of keys along the top of the keyboard that can be programmed to limit the amount of times one has to use a mouse. Plus it has the same types of multimedia buttons other keyboards do. The zoom feature in the center of the keyboard is a nice (although rarely used) feature. Plus, the padded wrist rest feels nice and is sloped nicely. The installation went fine although I plugged this into a USB port and there are reports that this keyboard won't work if you try using a PS/2 port. All in all I give it a 2 out of 5 because I don't have large hands and this is after all an ergonomic keyboard and the benefit of getting one is to reduce pain, not increase it. If you have average to small-sized hands you would be better getting a non-ergonomic keyboard. If I had large hands and the key-reaching isn't a problem with large hands then I would give this a 4 out of 5. I hope this review helps and gives incentive to the majority of us without large hands/fingers to test it in a computer store/electronics store first to see how well your fingers can reach some of those out of out-of reach keys. This keyboard isn't one of the cheapest keyboard ever made after all.
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by Pilotwings (see profile) -
November 30, 2005
5 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
Manufacturer:
Microsoft Corp.
Part number: B2M-00012
General
Device Type
Keyboard
Form Factor
External
Color
Black
Localization
English:North America
Input Device
Connectivity Technology
Wired
Interface
USB
Key/Button Function
Multimedia,
Zoom,
Programmable,
E-mail
Ergonomic Design
Yes
Features
Spillproof,
Zoom slider,
Palm rest
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slot(s)
None
Interfaces
None
Connections
1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A
Miscellaneous
Cables Included
1 x USB cable
Software / System Requirements
Software Included
Microsoft IntelliType Pro
OS Required
Apple MacOS X 10.2 - 10.3,
Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition,
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,
Microsoft Windows 2000,
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
Microsoft Windows Vista,
Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional,
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
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