Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Second Natural Keyboard in 15 Years – Finally had to give up my original Gen 1 natural keyboard from more than a decade ago. But not because of the keyboard but the PS/2 connector was becoming loose. I do not have a single bad thing to say about that keyboard. So naturally, my replacement would also be a natural keyboard since I've learned to type with it (even if I don't type as much… Read more

as I used to).

The Gen 1 keyboard with the split design was mainly designed for the arm spread circular motion when typing. This 4000 keyboard have also accounted for the wrist twist rotation motion towards the centre. Even for me who have used the natural keyboard for over a decade still need a bit of relearning and adjusting with this keyboard. But that leap is no where near what it would have been if transitioning from a "standard" or a laptop keyboard. But that retraining is highly worthwhile for those who do A LOT of typing long term. Microsoft have also added 4 additional keys (equal, parentheses, back space) above the number pad for those who do a lot of data entry. Again, takes some getting used to. The leather covered wrist support is also a nice touch (pun intended). This full size ergonomic keyboard is fantastic in keeping your fingers aligned with the arm to eliminate wrist strain and lateral bending.

Now on to the bad points. Microsoft should have split the space bar into two. The keys at the centre (t,y,g,h,b,n) are pressed at an angle following the wrist rotation so they are easy to press. But the single space bar is pressed vertically which makes it feel a bit stiffer. The second problem is the most complained about online relating to the zoom wheel. It looks like the scroll wheel on the mouse but it is used to zoom in and out instead. And the IntelliType driver doesn't let you customise the wheel function. There are custom hack available online on how to change the function to scroll but you need to do that for each program and the result is not always as intended. I guess Microsoft have already moved on from this keyboard to create any updated software. Lastly, I wish I could use the function keys as traditional function keys (as in F1, F2, etc). Microsoft have assigned other shortcuts to those keys as default so I need to leave the function lock on to use them as function keys and hence the indicator light (similar to the Num lock and Caps lock) is always on.

For those who don't like this "chunky" look then there is the Sculpt which is better looking and more compact. But I prefer a chorded keyboard.

Great keyboard for *traditional* touch-typists – I had one of these for roughly four years. I was consistently happy with it! Please note, however, that this keyboard is intended for traditional touch-typing, and most of this review is from that perspective. Don't get it if you don't type that way; otherwise you'll probably find it difficult to work with and counter-intuitive for the way you… Read more ·  1

want to use it. In case you don't know what I mean when I say "traditional touch-typing", I'm talking about typing using the method that uses the concepts of a "home row", "one finger per letter" and "bottom-right to upper-left columns".

Even if you do touch type using a better or different technique than the traditional method, this probably won't suit you, since it's designed with the traditional method in mind. If that's you, you might have already figured out how to type ergonomically on standard keyboards, which is better anyway since your skills can be transferred to most keyboards rather than limited to niche ones like this.

Being a split keyboard, using it is much easier on your wrists. The wrist-rest at the front is very comfortable for your wrists. The ergonomic curvature of the keyboard makes typing a lot more natural; your hands literally sit in a completely relaxed and natural position over the keys. The backwards tilt is also a good idea and keeps your wrists at a natural angle.

The keys are soft and light to press. On mine, half of the letter D has rubbed off, which shows that the printing of the symbols on the keys is poor and not as durable as with older, robust keyboards. Of course, this isn't much of a problem since the users of these keyboards should be touch-typing most of the time anyway.

One other issue I found was the sensitivity of the keys. When I first moved to this keyboard, I found that sometimes keyboard shortcut combinations did not work. For example, pressing Ctrl+C would not work. After a while, I found that the problem was that the keys were not sensitive enough. This is not a problem for normal key presses, but when you have to hold a key down, it can be an issue. Because of this, my concern is mainly with the Ctrl and Shift keys, which I use regularly in keyboard shortcuts. I don't have any problems with this now, however. I think this is due to a combination of the keyboard wearing in and me learning to press the Ctrl, Alt, Window and Shift keys a bit harder when I use them, which is unergonomic. The sensitivity of the keys is otherwise very reasonable, so the keyboard is still fully functional.

Being a curved and split keyboard with ergonomic design, the relative positioning of the keys feels different to traditional keyboards. I found that this took a while to get used to, but I definitely don't consider it a problem; I prefer ergonomics over backwards compatibility. I also found that it then took me a little bit of time to get used to the traditional layout when I was using someone else's computer, but you eventually get used to comfortably typing using both physical layouts.

At some points, I used the keyboard for playing games. It was still usable, but I don't think it's as well suited for gaming as traditional keyboards. This is primarily because it is a split keyboard. Gamers may want a lot of access to the keys using their left hands, so the split works against them in this area. Being a split keyboard, you are sacrificing the traditional design for ergonomics.

The keyboard also has a variety of extra buttons. It includes the standard multimedia buttons, a calculator button and some Internet-oriented buttons, and some designated customisable buttons. It also has a zoom slider in the middle, which I have sometimes found useful. I also like the additional row of keys above the number pad. These include an equals sign, two round brackets and another backspace key. Having this extra row was a good design decision. Unfortunately, the keyboard does not include the power and sleep buttons that some keyboards have, and I have missed them.

As another reviewer pointed out, the plastic for the wrist rest mount can make a tiny bit of noise if you push it. This may give the impression of poor construction, but it still functions properly. I have found the keyboard's construction to be good and durable. The wrist rest mount is nice and light, which I appreciate since it doesn't add to the weight of the overall keyboard. I think it's main construction problem is it lacks water resistance; I don't think it even has any water drainage holes. It only took a tiny spill of water to break mine.

Some people have also pointed out that the keyboard is bigger than others. This is true because of the added wrist rest, extra space in between the keys, and the plastic bit that you attach to the front of the keyboard to tilt it backwards. I think ergonomics have been prioritised over compact design here. This has not been an issue for me because I have had adequate desk space, but it is something to keep in mind if space could be a concern.

I regularly touch type at over one hundred words per minute, and I seldom had any soreness or pain when I use this keyboard. (However, I do not touch type for extended periods of time. I'm sure you can still get sore hands while using this keyboard, but I found it to be a lot easier on my hands than traditional keyboards.)

In summary, when I was a traditional touch-typist, I was very happy with this keyboard, and I highly recommend it to anyone else who wants to touch type using the traditional method and doesn't mind compromising in the other areas for the sake of ergonomic design.

However, if you want to improve the ergonomics of your typing, it's better to learn to touch-type ergonomically on standard keyboards rather than using niche ones. This way you avoid all the disadvantages of these keyboards while still getting the same benefit. Since my Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 died, I've learnt to do this. Just think outside the box. If you play guitar, this might be easier for you to understand. Here are some pointers to get started:

-Don't always use the same finger to press a single key; try to use whichever is most efficient and ergonomic for the given context/word

-You don't need to always stay aligned with the home row

-You don't need to keep your index fingers aligned with the F and J keys

-You don't need to align your wrists with the keyboard; just keep that at a comfortable angle and learn to type that way

-It's better to visualise the columns of the keyboard in this shape ///\\\ rather than this shape \\\\\\ Extremely comfortable, easy on your hands and wrists, solid construction, plenty of customisable extra buttons, well designed enhanced number pad, reasonably priced Doesn't suit non-touch-typists, only suitable *traditional* touch-typing, not suitable for desk/computer sharing, key symbols may rub off over time, no power or sleep buttons, problems with sensitivity of some keys, not water resistant, requires adjustment of typing technique due to different letter spacing, can be difficult to switch between it and normal keyboards, bigger than normal keyboards, inferior for gaming, addresses the symptom (uncomfortable typing) rather than the root problem (unergonomic touch-typing technique)

Good – Nice keyboard good feel with ergonomic curve less pressure on shoulders and wrist rest pad across the front. The keys are soft touch not clicky like cheaper ones. Great extra keys for internet surfing, favoutites, play music Cd's volume control and more. The zoom key is intersting and is useful on some sites that make things to small. great to… Read more

be able to zoom in with the toggle switch.

Annoying that the keyboard is USB only had to get a USB Hub to accomadate. (oh well my fault to many extra gadgets. shape of keyboard comes in USB only or wireless (costs lot more)

Excellent – I always love Microsoft's Natural Keyboard. I started unsing Natural keyboard when they first came out. This one is the third one that I am on. I used it at work and it is great. I realised some comments saying that the key layout is awful. I suggest to anyone considering this keyboard to try it out first in the shop before buying. If you are… Read more

only looking for a normal keyboard, don't waste your money on this.

Once you get used to the keyboard layout, you will find it very comfortable to type. Very comfortable. Can be customised to perform functions that you often do. A bit big on a small desk.

Excellent – I love this keyboard. 3 years of use and it is still going strong. The only keys that show any sign of wear are 'D' and 'S', mainly due to heavy gaming. No buttons have stopped functioning, I will certainly be replacing it with an equivilant when the time comes. Comfortable to use as wrists are in a better position, the wrist support is fantastic.… Read more

Great keyboard for extensive use if you type for long periods of time. The wrist support is a little too big, especially in the middle where it has a tendancy to hang over the edge of your desk, I find I am constantly knocking it with the arms of my chair when getting up.

Chunky keyboard! – The build quality is good but not great - the wrist rest a bit squeaky. The USB cable is long enough to connect to systems standing on the floor beside/under the table. Geometry of this keyboard is not really for small hands. Reliable keyboard, smooth typing and not too expensive Key prints rub off after a few month of use.

Terrible – The layout for this keyboard makes typing slow and very awkward. The raised central part of the keyboard will leave you with the nastiest case of carpal tunnel sydrome you've ever experienced and will slow down even the most proficient typist. I still can't figure out how this is supposed to be "ergonomic", unless you have massive hands with… Read more

very long fingers and forearms that have enough fat on them to keep your wrists reasonably straight.

Given time, it's possible to get used to it but why bother... just buy something else.

Overall? Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard = Fail. Not a whole lot! Expensive and very uncomfortable to use. Keyboard layout is awful.

Terrible – i found it very hard to type with this keyboard. part of my job is to type fast - at least 45 words per minute. when this keyboard was introduced my typing speed dropped dramaticly, i went from approx 50 words per mintue to around 40 woords per minute. i think the drop in typing speed was due to the lay out of the keyboard. maybe if i starte to… Read more

type on this type of keyboard there would be no difference to my typing speed but because i had to keep looking where my fingers go it was time consuming. I didnt like anything about this the shape