Jay Harris is Cpt. LoadTest

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Filed under: Reviews

Yesterday I finally got one: A Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. During a lunch run with Dennis to BestBuy, I broke down and bought one for work. You can buy it from Amazon for US$49.99.

First thoughts:

Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000

  • The extra keys are where they are supposed to be! Finally, a keyboard that is not mangled. The arrow keys are in an inverted T. The Insert/Delete keys are in a 3×2 configuration. You can finally sell that old Natural Pro that is turning green or yellow on your desk.
  • It is quiet. The keys do not click like many of the old Dell keyboards that we have lying around work.
  • It feels good. The shape and dimensions fit me nicely. However, it has been a while since I used a natural keyboard, so it will take a bit to get back in to the groove. In addition, the palm rest is padded!
  • I like the “Favorites” keys. There are 5 reprogrammable “Favorites” keys along the top. I set them do our different VS solutions.
  • Some of the buttons are stiff. They spacebar, particularly, is stiff. I am hoping that I just have to break it in.
  • No way to reprogram the “nipple.” The Zoom-slider, or “nipple” as we have come to call it, isn’t reprogrammable, yet. Right now, it zooms in apps like IE of Office. It would be much nicer if I could remap it to be a scroller. Someone needs to find a way!
  • The keyboard riser had to go. A riser that comes built on raises the front of they keyboard by an inch or so. I’m the guy who pops out the legs on the back of the keyboard to tilt it toward me, so this riser had to go right away. Luckily, it pops right off.

This is a nice keyboard. If my computer at home did not have a keyboard built in to it (or if I actually used my desktop), I would buy one for there, too. I hope that a future version of IntelliType Pro allows the nipple to be reprogrammed. Then this would be the perfect keyboard.

Friday, February 24, 2006 9:29:21 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)  #    Comments [2] - Trackback

Monday, February 27, 2006 6:56:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I got the Wireless Compfort Keyboard myself not too long ago. It’s the only wireless keyboard that I could find that is wireless and natural. Not as natural as your keyboard mind you, but it does have a curve that makes typing easier.

I like how is has volume, winamp controls, and I really really like the Calculator and “Lock Windows” keys above the keypad.

For security reasons, I LIke how the signal only goes about 7ft. And the battery (2 rechargable AAs not included) has lasted 5 months.

The only sucky things is the 2×3 layout of the home/end keys instead of your 3×2. This gets very confusing between home and work.
Monday, March 13, 2006 4:16:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
I just got one of these keyboards myself for work. Yes it’s been that long since your last update that I was able to comment on this once, think, order, recieve, and try out this keyboard before you made another post.

It’s ok… the “zoom” button does work as a scroll on windows that don’t have any zooming functionality, or that aren’t window applications i.e. Firefox.
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