Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Pros: It's very comfortable to use and the keys are fairly quiet which is nice - black with white letters is fine BUT ----

Cons: in less than a year most of the alphabet keys are worn off - blank.-- and there is no way to replace them short of buying yet another keyboard.

Summary: The black keyboard is impossible to read once the letters are worn off - I have only 8 alphabet letters that I can read after less than 1 year of use - this is the third keyboard that has done the same thing - - all I have left is q w z x y h n p - at least on the beige keyboard a sharpie could be used to remark the keys as the letters wore off - for normal touch typing it's not a problem but when filling out forms or those distorted letter security things not being able to read where a key is is a major hassle - how about indenting the letters and selling a white sharpie? or stick on replacement letters? I'm tired of buying a new keyboard every year.

Updated on Jan 28, 2011

I purchased a Pilot Silverliner Extra Fine Metallic Ink Marker at Staples and have drawn in the missing letter on each of the 19 (3 more had gone blank since I wrote my review) previously blank keys - I do not know how long the Ink/Paint will stand up but it is certainly easier to use this keyboard now that the letters are back on the keys and with the Marker here I can remark the keys as needed. The line left by the marker is a bit wider than the original lines making up the letters but it looks quite good being silver and black like the original. Maybe Microsoft should include one of these markers with their keyboards - they retail for under $4.00 CDN.
Now I'm happy with the keyboard. The Blank keys were my only complaint.

Updated on Jan 29, 2011

Okay the Silverliner Ink pen works but only stays on the keys for just over one day of moderately light typing - the ink had already worn off S D E F I O L K - mostly from answering a few emails each day so the problem with the letter markings wearing off the keys still exists - I'll be replacing the newly worn off letters each night before going to bed so I can start each day with all the keys having their letters visible.

Microsoft really needs to address this issue. This is a BIG CON.

Updated on Apr 20, 2011

Worn off letters problem solved? Time will tell.

I don't know where a recommendation to solve a problem becomes an advertisement but hopefully this amount of information can remain posted as a possible solution for those of us so frustrated with the worn off letters we could scream.

I could not find anything like replacement stickers locally so I searched for Replacement Keyboard Stickers for Microsoft Keyboards online and found some at

http://www.buypcsupplies.com/

They arrived (international shipping available into Canada) and they are great. They claim the letters are seen through the sticker so they won't wear off.

I've only replaced all the alphabet letters, the < and > and the "enter" and "backspace" keys - I'll do others as they wear out.
They arrived by mail in a week.