Customer Reviews

Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I tried very hard to like this keyboard, but I just couldn't. Though it has a lot of very cool special function buttons, it fails to do the basic thing a keyboard should do: be comfortable to type on. And the packaging is mildly misleading about the nature of the USB ports.

I didn't find anything particularly "ergonomic" about the keyboard. The curve of the board is just a little too steep for my hands. It's awkward getting to the extreme upper corners, such as the all-important "backspace" key. I found the distorted size of the bottom row of keys hard to get used to as well. And the hand rest can't be detached. Most disappointingly, the key action is awkward and loud. I'm not sure I've ever encountered any keyboard which felt worse under my fingertips. Even the non-ergonomic version of this keyboard has keys that feel better.

Likewise, the much-touted USB ports are a mixed bag. Though prominent among the advertised features, the USB ports aren't sufficiently explained on the packaging. You don't actually increase the total number of USB ports on your system by two. You MUST plug the keyboard into an existing USB port, so you get a net gain of only ONE port. And they're unpowered ports which means you can't plug bigger USB devices--like hubs, printers, and scanners--into them and expect great results. This is not a way to add USB functionality to your system; it only rearranges where the ports are. This redistribution does have its utility, however. Game controllers, microphones, and digital audio player downloads can be moved forward to the keyboard. If you find yourself crawling under your desk all the time to switch out your smaller USB devices, this keyboard will add some needed convenience to your life.

In sum, I strongly advise anyone who's thinking of buying this keyboard to test it first. Find a demonstration model in a computer store and try typing on it. If you like it, fine: come back here and buy it. As long as you understand the limitations of the USB ports and can deal with the key action, the keyboard is actually a good value for money. But while you're testing keyboards, make sure you try a whole range of them. Get one that's really comfortable for your hands-not just one that seems to be cool.

I purchased this board for Christmas and find it to function well. I wish all the buttons were programmable, as I only use those that I can program and about 2-3 of the rest. The keyboard design matches that of other ergo keyboards and it has a comfortable feel.

If you are looking for an ergo keybaord, then this is a good choice, if you want ultimate progammability, you will find this one somewhat limiting.

I use the SmartBoard from Darwin Keyboards at work, and find it to be a superior ergo board. It has a much more thought-out key positioning which both improves typing speed and provides more ergo comfort.

In my opinion, everyone should use an ergo keyboard. Use the MS natural boards if you don't have any repetative injuries, but look for better ergonomically designed boards if you already exhibit symptoms (as the MS boards use only midrange ergo technology).

I have tendonitis in my wrist so finding something that was comfortable and unobtrusive was essential. This keyboard fit the bill perfectly. I now use this keyboard both at home and at work. It's a tired analogy, but it rings true here: using this keyboard is like trying on that pair of jeans that fit you just right. You won't want to go back to anything less.

Everyone asks the same question: isn't this keyboard hard to get used to? I too thought it would take weeks, but I was comfortable with it after two days (~8 hrs/day). I find the built-in wrist rest to be quite good and the row of multi-media keys are a nice bonus feature (great to be able to mute your music or adjust the volume with a quick keypress, especially if you use headphones).

No regrets, but there are two downsides you should be aware of: 1) you may become more sensitive to non-ergonomic keyboards (I get aches after using any cramped laptop keyboard now; normal keyboards are still ok, just less comfortable) , and 2) the re-arrangement of the function keys makes them a bit of a chore to get used to.

I spent a fair amount of dithering before I bought this keyboard. Not that it's excessively expensive. Rather, it looked a bit of an ugly duckling up there on the shelf and I wasn't sure if it would be comfortable enough.

On my third trip to the shelf, I finally studied it a bit more carefully. I noticed the little messages on the keys to remind my failing mind of control functions. I noticed the special function keys that provided web navigation, media control, instant access to My Computer and the calculator, and the sleep key. I noticed the volume control keys. I remember that I hadstarted to turn off the sound on my Klisch 4.1's because their volume occasionally gave the cats heart attacks.

I figured, "What the heck, I've made dumber mistakes" and brought one home. I already had an old, grungy Intellipoint keyboard, so intallation took about 30 seconds of hardware time and a minute to install the software. "So far so good" I say to myself. One star for installation.

Test one: typing. Ooh the extra large wrist rest that looked so ugly in the store looks pretty good. And the angle feels a bit better. The keys have a nice thunk and a springy feel. One star for feel.

Next I try the volume control - Wow! The look of worry vanishes from the cat's faces. The rest of the media keys work fine and the internet navigators are great. When I hit the sleep button my machine does exactly that. One star for cool features.

The software is simplicity itself. Adjustments for speed, language, hotkeys, some special options and a nifty little on screen display for keys like volume. Everything works just great! One star for easy of use and clear instructions.

The last star is for the two USB ports on the back of the keyboard. This basically changes one of the USB ports from the back of my machine into two on my desk. Works great for a mouse and, in my case, a zip drive.

I've gotten used to the original funny shaped Intellitype. This new model seems like the perfect set of improvements in functionality and ergonomics. Given the amount of time I spend with my fingers on the keyboard it's well worth the money.

The basics are this is a great keyboard if you have jacked up wrists from being on the computer way too long. Another basic, it's gonna force you to use your keyboard the proper way. Small price to pay for comfort. I don't use the extra keys at the top as much as i thought i would, but they are convenient. Volume, stop, play, previous track, and browser back are used often. I rock while I work. This keyboard is not one you would probably put in your lap. It is much heaver than it's predecessor, the natural keyboard elite 2.0. I have both and still prefer the the Pro. This keyboard is pretty durable. I've not used the USB built in hub much at all, since USB is low power. Also the key layout of the Pro is better as compared to the natural elite 2.0. I keep using the pause key as I leave my desk. You can also tell when you are running out of resources on your PC. The top bonus keys don't work anymore. Oh I guess i use the calculator bonus button too. A cool thing for those that hate using mice, remember the pain it causes. The keys are coded for some of the standard hot key actions in Microsoft programs. I'm not changing my keyboard until the Bluetooth Keyboard and mouse become affordable. PS--I am a programmer. I have heavy keyboard use. This keyboard is a solid performer.

I found that I can type far faster on this keyboard than I can on a straight keyboard, which was a pleasant surprise. I expected it to be more comfortable to use (and it is), but the speed increase was a nice bonus. The keys have just the right amount of resistance for high speed typing.

Of course, the standard warning about this kind of keyboard is: ONLY BUY A "NATURAL" KEYBOARD IF YOU ARE A TOUCH TYPIST! If you hunt and peck, you will HATE this keyboard.

The multi-function keys are a really nice touch. Best of all, they work without you having to do a lot of setup. ;-)

This keyboard can be connected to your computer via the USB port, OR the PS2 port, OR both. That's really important, because all the information I could find on this keyboard never made this quite clear. For me, it was crucial that ONLY the USB connection be required for my laptop, because my laptop has no keyboard connector whatsoever. For my desktop, I have both USB and PS2, so I went ahead and plugged in both.

If you only have USB, you will not be able to use your keyboard until the machine has booted at least up to the Windows password prompt. If you have a BIOS password, and you are not using the PS2 connector, you will have to enter the password another way (like by using the irritating, mushy keyboard built into your laptop).

One complaint that I have is that it is very hard to use the CTRL keys. You have to get your hands pretty far out of home position to hit them, and it's awkward. I write software for a living, and I use CTRL characters all the time, so I find this a bit annoying.

However, overall I find the experience to be supperior to using a straight keyboard.

I bought this keyboard a couple of weeks ago and I have no regrets. The hot keys are great for internet surfing and for listening to media files such as Winamp. I also plugged my Intellimouse Optical into the USB ports in the back and did not have to use a valuable USB port in the back of my machine. I would suggest this keyboard to anyone who likes the ergonomic feel and who spends a lot of time on the internet and listening to or watching media.