Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Wired Keyboard 4000 b2m for Retail (Retail)

I am now about a week and a half into using this keyboard. It is the first time I have used an ergonomic split keyboard. I am a medical transcriptionist and type for a living. At first I found it awkward, I kept reaching too far for some keys, and it seemed that I was always missing the right-sided home row by one key. Now I find that I'm not thinking about the keyboard at all, which means it is working well for me. I find the key "touch" to be a little on the firm side, which means that I occasionally miss a letter because I didn't push hard enough, but I think over time I will adjust to that, too. This keyboard does not "click" when you type, which means it is generally quiet. Personally, I prefer the clicking, but for work, I wear a headset and don't hear the keyboard at all, so this is not an issue. Of course, with the need to press the keys harder, there is more thumping than I think I would normally hear when I type. As far as the alignment, it seems excellent. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is well controlled, but I still have some stiffness and loss of range of motion in my fingers and wrists, and the angles of the keyboard seem to be perfect for me, and I don't feel as much strain as I used to in my wrists after working all day. There is one thing I wish was included, and that is a lighted keyboard. I have never had one, but I have worn the letters off the keys of several keyboards, plus it would just be helpful to be able to see the keys more easily for those times when you don't have bright light or so your eyes don't have to adjust to dim lighting after staring at your bright monitor screen for a long period of time. After less than two weeks, I can already see shiny spots on the space bar and some of the most-used keys, so I know the letters will start wearing off soon. Not a big deal, but a lighted keyboard would be a really nice feature, perhaps an option that could be offered in the future. If you are considering this type of keyboard, I think it is worth the minor aggravation of needing some time to get used to it. My impression is that my hands and wrists will be thankful I made this purchase. UPDATE JULY 22, 2015: The keyboard started acting strangely yesterday morning, some keys not working at all, some keys creating the wrong letter or digit, and the period key seemed to be stuck. I tried to file a claim using the extended warranty, but because it was still under the manufacturer's warranty, they told me to contact Microsoft, and they gave me the wrong phone number for Microsoft. Microsoft wanted the keyboard to be shipped back to them in California, and they would send a replacement AFTER they received this one. I use the keyboard for work, and I don't have a week or more to wait for a replacement. I asked for my money back, which they agreed to do, BUT they then sent me on a wild goose chase trying to make that happen. It seemed that no one with Microsoft had any idea of how to help me and they didn't seem interested at all in helping me, although one person I spoke to at one of the wrong numbers I was given was very kind and helpful in spite of my anger and frustration (thanks, Sachin!), but he couldn't help me either, and he said I needed to contact Amazon. This was definitely NOT Amazon's problem, but you know what? They made it right. No arguments, no questions, no lengthy explanations, no making me feel like I was trying to take advantage of them. I asked for their help, and they apologized for the troubles I had experienced and sent a new keyboard. I have heard people complain about Amazon, but as far as I'm concerned, they are AWESOME. Microsoft and Square Trade Warranties not so much. This keyboard should have lasted longer than a few months, and Microsoft's customer service was horrible when I needed help, so when I have to purchase another keyboard, I probably won't buy another Microsoft product. That said, I have been very happy with the layout of the keyboard and I wish it hadn't malfunctioned so quickly.

I've been using this type of keyboard for years. I remember back in the late 1990/early 2000s, I was working as a medical transcriptionist and my supervisor at the time was using a "curved" white Microsoft Natural Elite keyboard. I was still using the typical, out-of-the-box, straight keyboard. She gave me hers to try out for a while. At first, I HATED it. My typing speed was terrible, I was pressing every wrong key, etc. But after I got used to it, I realized there was no way I could ever go back to a straight keyboard. Now, all of these years later I'm still working as a medical transcriptionist and have graduated up to the Microsoft 4000. I still have problems using a straight keyboard - in fact, when I'm using my laptop for work I cannot use the laptop keyboard and have to hook up my own keyboard in order to transcribe.Compared to all of the other "ergo" keyboards out there that I have tried (and I have tried quite a few), this is the best I've found. Now, I have never tried the Kinesis which I hear once you try and actually get used to you will never go back to anything else ever again and that it's the "best of the best." I have thought about trying one of those out, but I just cannot justify the cost. Perhaps if I was suffering from more carpal tunnel symptoms, more wrist pain, etc., I would give it a try, but as of now the Microsoft 4000 works for what I need it for. I am pairing it with an Anker wireless mouse, which took me a while to get used to but now I couldn't function without it! My sister was visiting me a few months ago and she was having a terrible time using my keyboard and mouse just to function on the internet and I then realized how somebody who isn't used to it feels. As I mentioned above, I've been using one of these "curved" split keyboards for nearly 20 years now, so I'm definitely used to it. With this keyboard, my hands feel like they are at a more natural position compared to a regular standard keyboard where they feel to be unnaturally squished close together.When I worked in-house at a local clinic (I currently work from home), we had occupational therapists come over to evaluate our work stations, etc. I was told I have hyperreflexia and that the best position for this keyboard was to keep the lower bottom "riser" attached and to keep the top legs folded up so that my hands are sloping down from my wrist placement. That is the best position for me, but others may be different.As I mentioned before, I have used this brand of keyboard for years, though I need replacements every six months or so as I am definitely NOT easy on my keyboards!! I always keep a spare one around which is good as the other day my Diet Coke spilled all over the one I was using. I thought I caught it early enough and got it all drained out, but nope, it was (and still remains) dead. So the spare I keep around does come in handy!!All in all, this is a great keyboard for those of us who type on a regular basis. My only complaint (and this is not with EVERY Microsoft 4000 I've purchased, only a few) is that there are times when the space bar is a bit sticky. I pound the keys so hard while I'm typing that I generally don't notice this, but I have had a few that I have noticed it on. Otherwise, all keys seem to depress well. The letters on the "common" keys do wear off around four or five months, but that is something I could care less about as I don't ever look at my keyboard when I'm transcribing (though those that attempt to use my keyboard have commented on it)!!

UPDATE 3 : After using this smart keyboard for 4 yrs and 8 months some of the keys stopped working in within 1 day or so. These keys are: both Shift keys, x, F5, Enter(middle) & Calculator.A computer technician told me that it's not repairable at all. Unfortunately, right now it's OUT OF STOCK in Amazon. Hope Microsoft brings out a Wireless version.UPDATE 2 : After using this keyboard for 2 year & 4 months, please see the condition of the Keyboard in the uploaded image.UPDATE 1 : After using this keyboard for 1 year & 9 months, only the following keys have faded: Backspace, S, C, & E. Everything else is OK!==============================================================================I've been using the Microsoft Natural Ergo 4000 Wired Keyboard since Dec. 2016. Looks gorgeous, stylish and futuristic - almost like the top of a space ship! LOL!Ok...enough of these glorious superlatives. Now let's have a reality check.THE SPACEBAR ISSUESome buyers had complained that you've to press hard the middle of the Spacebar to get the space. The sides are supposed to be weak. That is not true in my case, at all. I can get the Space my pressing the sides of the Spacebar.But the Spacebar has an issue:The big Spacebar makes 'thak'thak'thak'' noise while pressing at the sides. If you are heavily into typing, this can irritate you (otherwise not). And if you are sitting in a quiet, small office space with colleagues around you, it may cause serious noise pollution (unless your colleagues do not mind, which is most unlikely).Obviously this is bit of a design flaw. [But the middle of the big Spacebar is softer than the sides, for pressing.]Tip: To remove this noise some smart users have given their solutions. Type "remove spacebar noise ms ergonomic 4000" in Google.THE ENTER KEY ISSUEIt is strange that the Enter key is smaller in width than the Shift & Backspace keys. It should be the other way around. Interestingly, the H key is slightly wider than J, K, L (all in the same row as Enter). Why? Had the width of H been the same as J, K, L then Enter could have been wider.Or we could've got the traditional reverse 'L' shaped Enter by keeping intact H, but reducing the (unnecessarily long) width of Tab and T in the upper row, then shifting Y to the left and creating some space at the top of Enter to get the reverse 'L' shape. Simple.Were the MS designers dozing while designing this keyboard?Traditionally, the Enter key has always been the biggest one, for a very obvious reason. And it has to be maintained that way.THE PREVIOUS-NEXT KEYS ISSUEThese keys exist on the (sensuously-shaped) palm rest.You can use them to go back and forth between visited sites on an opened Tab or visited paths in File Explorer.But these keys are the noisiest in the MS Ergo 4000 keyboard. As if such (avoidable) noise is music to the ears of MS keyboard designers.BUT, THANKS TO THESE DESIGNERS, I'VE LOTS TO LIKE ABOUT THIS KEYBOARD1 - Just love typing on it. It feels very comfortable and natural while typing on it. The position of the wrists and hands is more natural than the position on a flat keyboard. After all, it is Ergonomically designed.This keyboard is THE solution to Repetitive Stress Injuries like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome.2 - The keyboard allows you to programme any key you want.But for this you've to download Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Centre software.3 - You've lights for Caps Lock, Num Lock, F Lock and Scroll Lock keys.4 - The keyboard has Zoom slider using which you can very quietly Zoom In and Zoom Out any webpage, MS Office document and even on OneNote.5 - MS Ergo 4000 has audio buttons at the top plus 5 buttons each of which corresponds to open apps on the Taskbar. Press the relevant button to display the related app on top of others.6 - The keyboard comes with a special detachable attachment that elevates the front part and creates a mild slope towards the back. This offers another ergonomic angle to do typing comfortably. In case you find it odd, you can easily detach it.FINALLYThis is a special keyboard which very few people in the world have. You need to give yourself a few days to get used to this ergonomically-designed keyboard that is specially designed to protect your wrists.Believe me you will start liking it after a few days, and you will never feel like going back to those flat (unergonomic) keyboards.PS: I will update my views based on my experience on this keyboard in the coming days, weeks and months.

What is like is the gentle slope, the comfortable pad (the wrist just falls naturally), the rocker switch in the middle and the two arrow keys just above the status LEDs.The under-the-board attachment is also a plus for me because I like to place the keyboard on my lap and sit in a reclined position.The best part is that, all these without breaking the bank (ok only a little - 11000 for a keyboard - but then wrist pain can be quite painful)Any cons? Well, now the backspace key, enter key feels like a bridge too far, ditto for the numpad and the arrow keys section. But then again, this is not the Kinesis Freestyle 2 (and that one is double the price and without the pad)

It has a few quirks, but it's been good overall. The letters have been wearing off the keys at an alarming rate, but so far everything still works. Keyboard design isn't quite as good as my ancient Microsoft Natural Elite keyboards were, but overall it's an acceptable replacement. A bit better for gaming than that keyboard was too, but honestly both of them are bad for that. These keyboards are intended for work or school use, and gaming was clearly (and purposefully) not a priority when designing them.

I would give this keyboard 5 stars, except these keyboards don't last that long for me. Any tiny bit of moisture at all gets on them, and the circuits between the switches corrode and stop working. Every one of these I've ever owned for the last ten years has had keys fail from moisture corrosion. I keep buying them because this is the most comfortable natural keyboard I've ever used. Just wish they were more resistant to spills! Keep this keyboard clean and it will last years. Otherwise they tend to last about 18 months for me.

Es mi segundo teclado ergonomico microsoft el anterior fue el combo inalambrico 7000. El cúal dejo de funcionar después de 7 años de servicio ininterrumpido y calculo que fue por la cantidad de polvo. Voy a cuidar este un poco más. La calidad de materiales es suprema, el teclear en este teclado es una delicia, si tu trabajo consiste en estar 8 horas o más trabajando con una computadora, no hay mejor inversión para tu salud que un teclado ergonomico. La curva de aprendizaje para aquellos que les asuste la forma del teclado es de minutos. Después se daran cuenta de cuanto les lastima teclear en un teclado normal y ya no querran trabajar de otra forma. Solo necesitan conectarlo y listo para trabajar, se puede bajar SW de la pagína oficial para habilitar aún más funciones como macros y otras cosas lo cúal puede ser util para programadores o diseñadores o simplemente por comodidad.