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- First reviewNovember 7, 2009
- Last reviewNovember 7, 2009
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brstilson's Reviews
It's important to be comfortable in a place where you spend a lot of your time. This Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 has even more comfort features to make your day-to-day tasks that much easier.
Customer Rating
2
Leaves much to be desired
on November 7, 2009
Posted by: brstilson
from Grand Rapids, MI
I bought this keyboard a few years ago and it's been my main one all this time. I bought it because of the height platform it came with that raises the wrists up to a very ergonomically comfortable level. Unfortunately, this also makes the keyboard take up a huge footprint and will not fit on the keyboard drawer in a lot of desks. Thus, I've taken it off and don't use it.
The keyboard is a standard Win95 format which includes several media buttons for extra functionality. I personally am not a big fan of them except in the case of audio controls, which do not function since I use iTunes instead of Windows Media Player.
Value for Price
There are far better keyboards out there for the price you'll pay for this one. The ergonomic shape, however, is great if you're really concerned about ergonomics and wrist injuries.
There are far better keyboards out there for the price you'll pay for this one. The ergonomic shape, however, is great if you're really concerned about ergonomics and wrist injuries.
Compatibility
Works "out of the box" in Windows of course. Haven't tried it on a Mac. It is only compatible with Windows Media Player. It will not control iTunes. Anyone with an iPod will find the audio controls useless.
Works "out of the box" in Windows of course. Haven't tried it on a Mac. It is only compatible with Windows Media Player. It will not control iTunes. Anyone with an iPod will find the audio controls useless.
Design
The ergonomics and shape of the keyboard are, like I mentioned, very well designed for the human hand. I write quite a bit and do not experience any wrist fatigue. However, that's about the only good I can say about it.
My first grip is the audio controls. Only Volume Up/Down and Play/Pause are present. No next track or previous track buttons. Come on Microsoft! I use the Next and previous track buttons way more than the Play/Pause button, but since it doesn't work with iTunes anyway that makes it a moot point.
The ergonomics and shape of the keyboard are, like I mentioned, very well designed for the human hand. I write quite a bit and do not experience any wrist fatigue. However, that's about the only good I can say about it.
My first grip is the audio controls. Only Volume Up/Down and Play/Pause are present. No next track or previous track buttons. Come on Microsoft! I use the Next and previous track buttons way more than the Play/Pause button, but since it doesn't work with iTunes anyway that makes it a moot point.
The other problem I have with the design is that its extremely LOUD. It reminds me of those old clickety-clackety keyboards from the 80's. Plus, the space bar's curved shape makes it difficult to press down. I have to slam it hard with my thumb every time. If it were a standard keyboard with no curved shape and platform it would be a carpal tunnel machine without a doubt. My wife's computer is in the same room and she can barely stand it when I'm typing because it's so loud and annoying.
Ease of Use
Hey, it's a keyboard. You type on it and words appear on the screen. It's not rocket science. All the keys are in the right place and the only issue would be if you've never typed on an ergonomic keyboard before. I regularly switch from a standard keyboard at work to this one and I never even notice. So in short it may take some getting used to, but it's not that bad.
Hey, it's a keyboard. You type on it and words appear on the screen. It's not rocket science. All the keys are in the right place and the only issue would be if you've never typed on an ergonomic keyboard before. I regularly switch from a standard keyboard at work to this one and I never even notice. So in short it may take some getting used to, but it's not that bad.
Overall
Overall this keyboard is NOT worth the money. Next time I'm probably going to go with Logitech or some other brand that has full audio controls and doesn't sound like a train going over tracks when I type on it.
Overall this keyboard is NOT worth the money. Next time I'm probably going to go with Logitech or some other brand that has full audio controls and doesn't sound like a train going over tracks when I type on it.
What's great about it: Comfortable for the wrists
What's not so great: Extremely loud, space bar is hard to press down, lack of basic media keys
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Design
2
Ease of Use
4
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