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Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000
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| List Price: | $59.95 |
| Price: | $31.86 |
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from and sold by Brainstorm Corporation
45 new or used available from $23.95
Average customer review:
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.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #120 in Consumer Electronics
- Color: N/A
- Brand: Microsoft
- Model: B2M-00012
- Released on: 2005-09-15
- Dimensions: 3.00" h x 11.00" w x 20.00" l, 5.00 pounds
Features
- Cutting-edge design and improved performance for maximium productivity
- E-mail and Internet hot keys
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
Overview:
Make the move to superior comfort with this breakthrough keyboard design
Place your hands and arms naturally and comfortably with the Microsoft® Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. The improved split design encourages a more natural hand, wrist, and forearm position and its new curved key layout makes keys easier to reach. The Zoom Slider lets you zoom in for close-ups of Web pages, images, and more — with just the touch of a finger. And 5 customizable "My Favorites" keys give you instant access to the folders, files, and Web pages you use most.
Features:
Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard Design
The advanced design of the Microsoft® Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard promotes a more natural hand, wrist, and forearm position for greater comfort.
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| 14-Degree Gable Advanced ergonomic design with enhanced slope reduces wrist pronation. | 12-Degree Split and Natural Arc The split keyboard design encourages natural wrist posture, while mimicking the curved placement of the fingertips to reduce key reach. | 7-Degree Reverse Slope Removable palm lift creates a reverse slope for a more natural wrist posture. |
Additional Features:
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System Requirements:
*Users of Mac OS X v10.2.x must install IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software before connecting the hardware. |  |
Customer Reviews
Do NOT buy this keyboard!!!
I've used earlier Microsoft ergonomic keyboards previously, and liked them very much. I wanted to update to a USB model, and so I bought the 4000 model without hesitation. Unfortunately, as other reviewers discovered, the space bar is difficult to press down.....so much so that it makes typing rather difficult, which is exactly what an ergonomic keyboard is supposed to help alleviate!! As such, this keyboard is all but unusable, unless you type with only your index fingers. If I could give it zero stars, I would.
Did MS even *test* this product? It's a disgrace that they would release something that has such a glaring deficiency.....but then, it's Microsoft, so why be surprised. Too bad because the rest of the keyboard is really pretty good.
Quiet Keys
MY MAIN GOALS: ERGONOMICS + QUIET KEYS
The two major things I was looking for was ergonomics and quiet keys, which this product is successful with. I don't have any wrist problems yet, but why wait until you have it? The plush wrist wrest is definitely a plus feeling somewhat like soft leather.
I finally have a keyboard with quiet keys! I was rather annoyed by the clakkity-clak sounds from my old Logitech Internet Navigator Keyboard. I know logitech has a few models that are much less noisy; the keyboard that comes with the MX3200 set actually being a bit more silent.
MINOR ISSUES
(why I gave 4/5 instead of 5/5):
- Subtle variances in clakkity sounds (spacebar and backspace are, on a scale of 1-10 in noisiness, a 3.5; the rest are a 2; MX3200 is 1.5).
- Useless Media keys above the F-keys imho. I prefer to use the mouse because it takes less movement. This wouldn't be a problem for those who like big obvious keys rather than clicking icons. For me, it's just adds more unnecessary bulk to the keyboard.
- Zoom nob is useless, although I've read there's a way to change it to act as a scroller instead (after installing the driver). Since I don't need the media keys, it's not worth installing more drivers on my system.
- Unnecessary Back/Forward keys. I think more mice now generally include the back/forward feature already (normally near the thumb) and it's much easier to use that instead of the one on the keyboard.
SPACEBAR BUTTON
I've had no problems pressing down on it like a few reviewers seem to have. The only way I'd have a problem is if I tried to press down on the very edges of the button (tip of my thumb being 1/8" or less from the sides; 1/4" away is still fine), which would be an odd way to type. It might need slightly more pressure to press down on overall, but it's not at all sticky.
GAMING
(solidifying 4/5, 3.5/5 if it were possible)
For FPS games I don't see there being a problem (former Counter-Strike player, not CSS). For those who use shortcut keys often like in MMO's (massively multiplayer online) gamers my only real issue is the F-keys split up the way they are. I prefer if they were split into sections of four like traditional keyboard (eg. F1-4, F5-8, F9-12. It's easier to distinguish them without having to look down, particularly F6-F12. Also, due to the ergo curve, using your left hand on the right side of the curve can be a little awkward. If they're going to only split it into two, I think they need a better way to distinguish them through touch (like positioning or texture; definitely not by color).
CLEANLINESS
There are multiple 1mm gaps lining the keyboard that may be problematic to clean/vacuum when dust/gunk builds up over time. The buttons seem easy enough to pop out with a paperclip or nailclipper (except for the media keys and back/forward button)
Love it!
I love this keyboard. The price is awesome & I am so happy NOT to have shoulder tension anymore. I highly recommend this product
