Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 21.1 x 2.8 inches ; 3.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002JXFH
• Item model number: B61-00002
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 29, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Your hands might be ready for a change and you don't even know it. Why not give them a break with a completely new style of keyboard: the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. It has a split keyboard design that's remarkably comfortable to type on--you'll wonder how you ever got along with out it.

The keyboard comes with a USB connection and PS/2 adapter. Once you've plugged it into your port of choice, all you need to do is install the included software so you can program all those nifty hot keys that run the length of the keyboard's top. We found the volume control and general multimedia functions to be the most useful, but there were also Internet and e-mail hot keys such as Back, Forward, Stop, Refresh, Home, Favorites, and Mail that made online activities a breeze. We also appreciated the inclusion of two USB ports on the rear of the keyboard, allowing you to conveniently plug in a USB mouse or game controller.

After years of typing on a standard keyboard, we found getting used to the new layout slightly difficult. However, after an hour or so, we were typing more quickly than we ever had before. Fingers have an easy time finding the correct key because of the natural layout. We also appreciated the fact that Microsoft went back to the inverted-T arrow-key layout in the Natural Keyboard Pro, which is imperative for serious gaming.

The only feature we had a problem with was the key action. The keys are made of such a lightweight plastic that it's hard to tell if you're even typing at times. While some may consider this is an asset, others might prefer a heavier, louder keyboard.

However, if the action doesn't bother you and the split layout appeals to you, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro has your name written all over it.

Pros:

• Comfortable to use
• Retains inverted-T arrow-key layout
• Easy to install
• Keyboard includes two USB ports

Cons:

• Keyboard action is difficult to get used to

Amazon.com Product Description

The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro design encourages a natural hand, wrist, and forearm position. Its features include 19 hot keys that provide one-touch access to the Internet, your e-mail, and your favorite multimedia controls. With its IntelliType Pro software and two built-in USB ports, plugging in peripherals is easy. The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Key Layout Problems Fixed, January 11, 2000

By 

TT (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (Personal Computers)

In Microsoft's previous design of their Natural Elite keyboard, they attempted to decrease the footprint size of the keyboard by rearranging the cursor keypad along with the PAGE UP/DOWN, HOME/END, and DELETE/INSERT keys. This unfamiliar and unnatural key arrangement caused problems for many users. Now the original standard arrangement has been restored. Yes!

New with this keyboard is a massive row of programmable shortcut buttons along the top. Many of them replicate your web browser's buttons like back/forward, stop, and so on. Others are quick launch buttons for applications like e-mail, web browser, and the calculator. The calculator is probably the most useful shortcut button because it would normally take four mouse movements to launch the calculator from the Accessories Programs Start Menu folder. Believe it or not, the calculator launch button is right above the numeric keypad--good deal!

Another bonus feature of this keyboard is the common shortcut keys printed on the front edge of the respective keys. The CTRL key has a star-like symbol next to it, and you'll find the same symbol printed on the front of several keys like C, X, and V with the shortcut names "Copy", "Cut", and "Paste". These cues are good for helping users learn the keyboard shotcuts to eliminate slower mouse movements.

What's left to improve on? Well, how abot a set of buttons that correspond to the common buttons found in every window? There's the minimize, maximize/restore, close, and scrollbar up/down/left/right. Arrange these buttons on the keyboard in a layout that represents their visual arrangement on screen.

The keys are responsive and fast, but they still seem to lack a feel that provides good tactile feedback for fast typists. Good keys tend to spring back quickly and have a definite threshold point and resistance level; this is more commonly found in more expensive keyboards. I prefer the feel of some Hewlett Packard keyboards I've used that ship with their high-end workstations/servers--other people probably have different tastes for keyboard feel. Overall, the feel of the Microsoft keyboard is comfortable and quiet, but maybe they will work on the keys a little more in a newer model.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best ergonomic keyboard on the planet., April 26, 2000

By 

Deinabo D. George "DDG" (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (Personal Computers)

As I write this review from work I wish I were using Microsoft's Natural Keyboard Pro. I bought two last year and gave one to my aunt; if it were possible to fall in love with a keyboard, then this thing would steal my heart.

The Natural Keyboard Pro is the true successor to the original Natural Keyboard; forget about the Keyboard Elite. This board sports 19 multimedia "hot keys" that launch browsers, refresh web pages, and much more. There are connectors for USB and PS/2 ports; Microsoft recommends plugging the keyboard into both ports although you can use whatever port you want.

Key response is good without feeling mushy and the built-in wrist rest is good for those users who like to relax theirs wrists at the bottom of the keyboard. The IntelliType software that ships with the keyboard is version 1.0; users of America Online will want to download the patch for compatibility with AOL's 5.0 software.

I like Microsoft's latest keyboard. It's a good, sturdy keyboard with cool features that are really useful. Users with small hands might need some time to get used to the board's rather large layout; even still the Natural Keyboard Pro is proof that if Microsoft quit the software business tomorrow they'd have a great future in hardware.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best Keyboard, January 29, 2000

By 

Scott (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro (Personal Computers)

This keyboard came with my new Dell computer. It was such a good buy I would of payed any price for it. This keyboard has a nice hand rest so your hands never get tired. The mutimedia keys on the top make it even better you have buttons to browse through the web (for example back,stop...) you can contol the sound so you don't have to take your hands off the keyboard to crank up the volume. You can even change a CD track in the touch of a button. I even set up the Mail button to start up Aol. The only other thing I can say is BUY THIS KEYBOARD.