If you're looking for an Ergonomic keyboard, this product is a good choice.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
Format: USB
Platform: WIndows: XP, Tablet PC Edition, 2000 Mac: OS-10.1 +

----- The Ergonomic Advantage -----

Both business computers I access frequently have run Microsoft Natural Ergo keyboards for as long as I can remember. I've typed frequently on both Natural Ergo and standard keyboards which (I feel) qualifies me to make a decent comparison.

While split keyboards aren’t for everyone, long hours spent in front of your computer can definitely take a toll on your nerves and tendons. Microsoft claims that their curved key layout, cushioned palm rest, and carefully researched split angle will promote healthier tendons and nerves in your hands. Microsoft also claims their natural keyboards reduce the occurence of carpal tunnel syndromes when used instead of a standard 101-key layout. To drive this point home each Natural 4000 box is signed by an 'ergonomist' as approved for use. This keyboard is part of Microsoft's overall 'workplace ergonomics program' which is supposed to help improve employees health.

----- Using the Natural 4000 -----

While there are quite a few ‘ergonomic’ keyboards out there right now, Microsoft has definitely been the leader with their Natural keyboards. Ergonomic keyboards are designed to give your wrists and forearms a better position to work from during long workdays of typing. Not only is the keyboard split and separated into two distinct halves, it’s also banked and dips down in the center of each bank of keys. This curved key layout presumably lets your fingers ‘fall’ onto the keys in a natural position.

If you’re unfamiliar with ergonomic keyboards you will definitely have a learning curve to master. The layout and placement of the spacebar and number keys will definitely slow down your typing the first week or two. On the Natural 4000 the T, H, and N keys are sized much larger than normal causing me to miss the right key occasionally. After you pick up the correct key locations you’ll be flying along at your normal speed again. Above and beyond the actual keyboard are the special function keys and shortcut keys, which should be a crucial part of your purchase decision. If you don’t want internet, media player, and other program shortcuts you should look at a different keyboard. A considerable part of this keyboard’s cost is due to the extra features included within.

A new feature on the Natural 4000 is the Zoom Slider for photos, now you can slide the rocker switch in or out to either zoom or return to standard view while viewing a photo slideshow. Also returning are multimedia keys for controlling Media Player, My Favorites Keys for quick access to your top-5 webpages, hotkeys for your web browser, search engine, and mail program, both back and forward keys to control your web browser, and lockable F-keys which give you a whole new set of 12 operational keys for email and program functionality. These keys include Undo, Redo, Open, Close, Reply, Fwd, Spellcheck, etc. To activate these keys F-Lock must be off. One detail I appreciated was the movement of the illuminated key-lock lights (Caps, Scroll, Num, etc.) front and center on the wrist-rest. This makes it easier to see when you correctly (or accidently) activated Caps Lock.

If an ergonomically correct keyboard is on your shopping list I’d strongly recommend looking at the Microsoft Natural 4000. It’s one of the best ergonomic keyboards I’ve used as far as comfort level and ease of use. The extra keys and functions fit seamlessly into the Windows XP environment and if you like shortcuts and hot keys this keyboard is definitely loaded with them. On the comfort level the wrist-rest is padded nicely and leaves your palms at a good angle for typing.

Another positive note about this keyboard I almost forgot, it's super quiet when typing. Key presses are nearly inaudible which is a big improvement over the old Natural this replaced. I'm used to keyboards that sound like an old Royal typewriter.

Now to the bottom line, will I switch to a Natural keyboard on my personal computer? No, I think I still like the old-fashioned layout of the non-ergo style keyboard. I have too many hours of typing experience into the old-school style to give up now. However, if you're slow at typing anyway the Natural won't be any slower. I don't mind using the Natural at work since everyone there is used to it, but I'll never be quite at home myself. I'm an electronics minimalist myself, hence my dislike for all the extra buttons and fluff on the Natural. However, others that have used it think those buttons are the best thing since Windows, so your opinion may vary. I haven't been able to try out the Natural 4000 on an Apple system as of this writing. I'm not optimistic about all the shortcut keys working very well in OS 10.x since they are clearly designed for Windows XP.

After all the positive things I said above it's starting to sound like I'm talking you out of this keyboard, right? Honestly I'm trying to give my unbiased opinion coming from someone that personally wouldn't choose any ergonomic keyboard. As I've said before, I like the Natural more than any other ergo style I tried out, so if you're shopping for one make sure and give this one a look.

Related links:

Logitech Click! Optical Mouse
Ideazon Zboard Gaming Keyboard


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