Product Details
Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000

Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000
From Microsoft

List Price: $59.95
Price: $39.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com

60 new or used available from $12.99

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: #86 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.

     
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:
  • Better Support - Cushioned Palm Rest - Get better support while resting your hands with this plush integrated palm rest.
  • See It Your Way - Zoom Slider - Easily zoom in for close-ups of digital pictures, maps, and more.
  • Instant Access - My Favorites Hot Keys - Customize Hot Keys to instantly open the programs, files, and Web pages you use the most. Simply push and hold to set-just like your car radio.
  • Improved Number Pad - Common numeric functions such as =, (, ), and Backspace right where you need them most - above the number pad.
   

 

System Requirements:
  • Windows Vista™, Windows XP Pro/Pro x64 Edition/Home/Media Center Edition/Tablet PC Edition, Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 (SP4) or later
    • 60 MB free
  • or Mac® OS X v10.2x*–10.4x. Exposé™ will only work on Mac OS X v10.3** or later
    • 30 MB free
  • Powered USB port
  • CD drive

*Users of Mac OS X v10.2.x must install IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software before connecting the hardware.
**Users of Mac OS X v10.3.x must upgrade to Mac OS X v10.3.9 before connecting hardware OR install IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint software before connecting the hardware.

   


Customer Reviews

Nice design, bad execution2
It's a comfortable keyboard to use, and the extras like the volume buttons and other shortcut keys are nice, but the workmanship and quality is just lousy. It often misses the 'i' key when I'm typing which is quite annoying. Yesterday my escape key stopped working all night until it magically started working again this morning.

I have also had problems with a recent Microsoft mouse that I bought, which they replaced for free after 6 months when I called them and complained, but the replacement lasted only another 6 months.

I love MS's ergonomic designs for their mice, keyboards, and gaming devices, but they really need to get some quality control if they want to keep their reputation in this market segment.

Comfort and Quiet5
Just a couple points on this keyboard. Its not good for 2-finger typing, so for those of you that hunt-and-peck, don't get this keyboard!
For the rest of us, you will notice reduced hand and wrist strain (I noticed it immediately). Its fast (you will probably increase in typing speed) and its quiet (One of the reasons I choose it). AFTER you get used to it (about 2 weeks), you will love it! The padded, leather-like material in the wrist support is very comfortable.
I find the "calculator" key quite useful. Its just a short-cut key to the windows calculator, but its handy because I use mine a lot.
I am a college student finishing up a degree in Computer Science. I use my new Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 for typing term papers, essays, and writing a lot of programs and JAVA code for school. Happy hunting!

Key placement is great, space bar makes me regret the purchase2
I've had this keyboard for a few weeks. It's my third split ergonomic keyboard, my first from Microsoft. The hand position feels just right, but depressing the keys is noisy and unpleasant. The space bar is worst of all, since hitting it anywhere but right in the middle requires an extra hard press. And since this is a split keyboard, my thumbs don't reach to the middle of the space bar when in the standard typing position. I had hoped the space key would loosen up to allow my off-center use without requiring so much force to depress it. It hasn't, and I still find myself correcting missed space typos weeks later. I use this keyboard with a laptop when at my desk, and I keep catching myself typing at desk height on the laptop to avoid the Microsoft keyboard, a no-no for me due to a repetitive stress injury. While I read about the space bar issue before purchasing, and decided it wouldn't bother me enough to make me choose something else, buying this keybord was a mistake for me.