Create a FREE flash website
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 42 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
-
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful
2.0 stars
"Returned keyboard within 1 week."
Pros: Looks great with black/silver color scheme, comfortable to rest your hands on, and keyboard has a good solid feel (except for feet).
Cons: Tiny plastic feet are useless, some letters on keyboard are much larger than others, keys feel too soft and spongy (offer no feedback), and missing media controls.
Summary: I'm normally a big fan of microsoft ergo keyboards, and have always prefered ergo over a standard keyboard. However, after a few days of using this newly redesigned keyboard, I was extremely disappointed and had to exchange it for a standard logitech keyboard.
First, this keyboard is very large. This really isn't a problem. However, the tiny plastic feet that support the back of the keyboard can barely support it's weight. Any pressure on these feet will cause them to bend or break. Once looking at them, you'll easily see why.
Second, it looks like Microsoft decided that since the keyboard was split and that they had extra room, they would change the size of a few lettered keys towards the middle so they are twice the size of a normal key! Add this to the fact that the keys feel "squishy" and you've got one crazy typing experience. It certainly does not feel natural at all. I really did try to get use to this, but I kept finding myself pressing incorrect keys, or having to look at the keyboard to make sure I hit the right key.
The large hot keys at the top of the keyboard are a nice touch. But for media playback, it has a Play/Pause button, and that's it. No next, forward, back, or even a stop button. For no apparent reason, they are simply nowhere to be found.
Now, it does feel comfortable (even though you can barely type at half your normal typing speed), and it looks great. And that's where the compliments end. I even had 2 other friends try out the keyboard, and they agreed... it's just not natural.
While this keyboard may be "comfortable" and looks nice, it's just not practical for daily use if the feet break, the keys feel strange, and it slows down your typing experience. I'd suggest going with an older microsoft ergo keyboard or sticking with a standard keyboard.
- 1 reply to this review
-
Too bad?.but if your going to compare apples to oranges, you?ll never be happy. I think we will all agree, this is not a MEDIA keyboard, and is not marketed as such. We can also agree that the size of the ?b? ?h? ?t? & ?g? keys make no difference in your typing because the leading edge is the same distance from the adjacent keys as all the others (there is no need to look down to verify the fact). You can?t blame Microsoft because the new curves of the board required some stretching of the center keys to make is visually appealing, can we?
It?s still unclear as to why you have lost half your typing speed (when you are a self-professed split keyboard user). The board has the same layout and key spacing as the NATURAL ELITE (except for the new raised center), if anything your typing should be as fast, if not faster thanks to the new design.
I am willing to go out on a limb and say that the keyboard is not designed to use the rear stabilizing feet. As the unit comes out of the box (with the -7 degree riser attached) the rear feet are retracted because the new design is optimized without them. I have a feeling that they were added as an afterthought because some users would look for them. If you?re buying this keyboard as the upgraded NATURAL design (that it is) you would never think of using the rear feet, as it defeats the purpose of the new design.
If I were to guess, I would say you are a big fan of Logitech. So be it. For the rest of us who can look at this keyboard objectively, we can see that the 4000 is the a great advancement in ergonomic technology.
Where to buy
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000:
$23.99 - $69.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$57.00 | Yes |
|
|
$54.99 | Yes |
|
|
$49.99 | Yes |
|
|
$35.99 | Yes |
|
|
$49.99 | Yes |
|
