Customer Reviews

Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This keyboard is a surprise. I am typing this with this new keyboard and with a perfectly good MS Natural Keyboard Pro right next to it. I never thought that any other keyboard could match the Pro but this is very close. The key action is actually better on this keyboard! I verified this by having my son try it out too (another Pro user). He types very fast and the first thing he did was turn to me and say "This is a great keyboard!" That agrees with what I felt. The keys are a little noisy but not as bad as the Pro. They definitely take an "off strike" better than the Pro does (The Pro will sometimes not recognize my off center press as it will hang a bit). The layout is exactly the same except for all of the media stuff on top of course. The keys are a little softer but in a good way. I actually prefer the larger delete key and never use the insert key. I will not type on anything but a split keyboard now and have been known to bring one with me when I go to a customer site.
Now the F-Lock problem for Windows XP... That is the one thing I do not like but it is a simple matter to fix. Go to Google and search on "F Lock Key Info". Open the site http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html. Download the 2gflockflip.zip file. Unzip the files and right click on the 2gfl-f.reg file and say merge (Say yes to the question- this is a very minor tweak). Reboot. Now the F lock key is reversed! The F keys work when the F Lock light is off and the other keys work when the F light is on. There is an undo file included (undo.reg) that turns things back to normal. I have done it and it works. Now get over it.
There is only one thing about the Pro that I am spoiled about and that are the little programmable grey buttons that I have mapped to Word, IE, Copy, Paste etc. I am going back but I will have several of these keyboards around for when my Pro finally dies. I just hope that the PS2 port is still on my regular motherboard upgrades.
Who would have thought?

This keyboard has a comfortable feel, but I prefer my 7-year-old original Microsoft Natural keyboard, as Microsoft has really fouled up the layout of this one.

The "home" and "end" keys have been moved, the "delete" key enlarged to twice its original size, and the "insert" key is entirely missing. What's more, the F keys have been replaced by Microsoft Office control keys (open, save, undo, print, etc.), and if you want them to act how they're supposed to, you have to manually turn on "F Lock" each and every time you boot--this key cannot be controlled by software! (There is a registry hack for Win2k/XP that can effectively disable "F lock" on the PS/2 version, but if you're using USB or another OS, then you're up a creek.)

It's a shame Microsoft had to add these annoyances to an otherwise good keyboard.

I am a professional programmer and spend 10 hours a day using Emacs. There has never been a better keyboard in my opinion.

The keys have a great feel. The weight of the stroke is good. I like the slightly soft start of the stroke and the strong crisp finish.

The main advantage over all other keyboards is the layout of the meta (alt) and control keys. They are perfectly balanced in size and position. Now entering Emacs commands is even easier that entering Capital letters. The right hand shift key is one position farther away than the left shift key is, but the control and alt keys are perfectly balanced. On Linux (which I use exclusively) it is even possible to map the center keys to the Super modifier.

Another advantage is the weight of the keyboard. Because it is heavy it doesn't slowly slide away from me across the desk as I type.

The arrow keys are in a good layout and position. I like the double size delete key to the right of the \ key. As for the rest of the keys (keypad, function, fancy multimedia) I have no comment. Most of mine have dust on top.

Another important advantage is the split layout.


But it isn't a perfect keyboard. There are two, minor problems for me.

I have used and worn out many keyboards, and it does seem to me that these keyboard wear out a little bit faster. I usually get from 6 to 9 months (of 10 hour days). I think I was getting closer to 1 year out of the previous MS Natural Elite. The main reason they wear out for me is that I only just hit the left edge of the enter and right-hand shift keys. Eventually this leads to the keys beginning to stick. Depending on your typing habits this may not even be an issue.

A second minor disadvantage is that the keyboard does not permit setting a reverse angle (putting the space bar higher than the function keys.) But I haven't found a (reasonably priced) keyboard that does.

I do wish it wasn't made by Microsoft.

This is PS/2 not USB, and I wish it said it clearly in the product description. keyboard is large, looks fine but I can't connect it!

On the microsft site I got the idea this had a USB connector. It doesn't, and I had to return it.

They wouldn't let me post this with no rating, so I'm giving it 3 stars because of Microsoft's website error that cost me a few bucks in return shipping. The keyboard itself looks great, though of course I couldn't actually try it.

I program ten hours a day so my mouse and keyboard could be considered my primary tools. This is simply the best I've used yet.

The keyboard is sharp looking (in tones of grey, not blue as it appears in the Amazon pictures), very heavy and solidly constructed. The keys have a great feel with just the right amount of resistance and throw, and the large, squarish Ctrl and Alt keys look and feel right. I even find the programmable keys useful: Media brings Winamp to the front and I mapped the Log Off button to a little program I wrote that activates the screensaver.

There's been some hay made about the unusual layout of the cursor keys -- and I admit that I was initially skeptical -- but I was quickly sold. In fact, it's a clear evolutionary improvement. The oversized Delete key is great, and good riddance to the never-used Insert key. Now if only they'd find a place for Caps Lock where it didn't accidentally get pressed ten times a day.

The only annoyance is the F-Lock key which defaults to off and normally needs to be pressed after every reboot, but, as another reviewer pointed out, that's easily solved by a simple registry fix at this page: http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html. It's really such a minor issue that I can't see knocking more than half a star off for it, so...five stars.

I'm buying another one right now to replace my Natural Keyboard Pro at home.

The default behaviour of the F-Lock key is really annoying as it defaults to leaving F5 as Open (essentially Ctrl-O) which makes it difficult to refresh a webpage from the keyboard.

Also of GREAT annoyance are the Insert / Home / Delete / End / Page Up/Down buttons. Specifically, there ISN'T an Insert button. For those of us who use Ctrl-Insert and Shift-Insert to copy and paste, this is a major defect. Second, the buttons are in the incorrect configuration. Instead of the years-long standard of 3 buttons across by 2 buttons down, they are 2 buttons across and 2 down on one side and 3 down on the other.

Works great on older computers, most new Dell's come with a usb port only, tried an adapter, could not get it to work.

I really think if more pc users would try the multi media keyboard they would do like I and many others, fall in love with it. There's no doubt these keyboards are the way to go. Everywhere I go and I see on of these keyboards on a persons desk in front of their pc I always get the same reaction when I tell them I have one. Their reply: I couldn't do without it!, and it is true, try it you'll like it.

I've had this MS keyboard now for about two years. Usually, keyboards last me about a year before I wear out the home row keys or start to have problems, but from the moment I plucked this keyboard out of the box, I could tell it was a much sturdier unit than any I've typed on before. The keys feel good, the action is nice. I've worn a couple of smooth places into the textured palm rest, most notably where my left thumb rests as I type. I've also worn a smooth place on the space bar. So far, the clear coat on all the letters has remained intact and despite having to take the unit apart a couple of times to clean it, I've had no problem with the mechanical functionality of the keyboard.

The only problem I've had with this keyboard is the cord. Just a few months after receiving this keyboard, the insulation cracked and started pulling away from the cord right at the place where it goes into the back of the keyboard. I had to rig it with electrical tape and toothpicks (long story) to protect the exposed wires. So far, every Microsoft hardware product I've owned has had problems with the cord.

While I highly recommend this keyboard over anything else, I do so with the caveat to make sure you don't put any undue stress on the cord.