Customer Reviews

Microsoft Wired Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 5-Pack Black

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This item is linked to several price searching websites as a 5-pack (including pricegrabber.com) although it ships as a single keyboard. the single keyboard link is listed on the same page directly from Amazon and is 4.5x less. So you can buy the true single for 42 bucks or pay 188 for "5 Pack" and receive the same single keyboard. Because it doesn't say "5 pack" on the amazon site, although it's linked as such at external sites and is priced as such, they refuse to remove or correct the product page. Good luck to others unlucky enough to fall into their trap.

Pros: It's the most comfortable keyboard I've ever used, and I've been typing extensively for decades. If you've never used this type of keyboard before, it will take a little time, like a week or two to get used to the placement of keyes, but I'm sure you will be enjoying it more and more every day. Soft tactile response is exceptionally pleasant. The zoom slider would be excellent, if it always worked as intended (see below).

Cons: I bought this keyboard to be sure it's compatible with my new 64-bit system. My reasoning was, if the 64-bit Windows are created by Microsoft and this keyboard is designed by Microsoft, the two must fit each other perfectly. Well, this is not exactly the case.

Apparently Microsoft was too busy to design a native 64-bit driver for their keyboards. The driver that comes with this keyboard works with both the 32 and 64-bit Windows, but functionality in the 64- bit OS is limited. You can type fine and most function keys work as intended, but you can not use the volume up/down function even with the Microsot Media Player in the 64-bit Windows, as it won't work. Also the zoom slider works fine in the MS Word and most IE browsing situations, but does not work with the 64-bit Mozilla (Deer Park version) and even in IE sometimes starts acting strange (such as suddenly becoming a scroll wheel, instead of a zoom). I guess, Microsoft shouldn't complain that many software and hardware companies ignore the 64-bit version of Windows, as they themselves keep "forgetting" about it.

Another small drawback is that the "Enter" key is a bit too small for comfort. But I got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore.

My conclusion: This is a fantastic keyboard for anyone who types a lot. It lliterally makes typing a joy. Let's hope its functionality in Windows XP Pro x64 OS will be upgraded with a new native 64-bit driver in the near future.

Keyboard takes getting used to. If you hop to other machines with a regular keyboard, you need to adjust back to using a regular keyboard.

I believe it has minimized the pain that was starting in my wrist (reason for trying keyboard).

The only problem that I had was with order. The description said (pack of 5) but only received one keyboard in a huge box. Upon research I received numerous reponses from Amazon on what "pack of 5" was; including this item was one keyboard with five USB components (totally did not make sense to me). I was expecting to received five keyboards. When they finally confirmed the order, there were no keyboards left so I was refunded for four keyboards. Resolving the order shortage took a lot of my time. Amazon said that they would check on what "pack of 5" meant and call me back but I ended up having to call them when I did not receive a reply. Credit for items not shipped was received timely.

I went through the return process twice, and they only sent 1 keyboard each time instead of 5. This listing will NOT get you 5 keyboards!

Great features and easy to setup especially with the unreliablility of VISTA. Office users are happy and have switched from conventional keyboards to ergo keyboards.

Paid for ONE (5)FIVE pack of keyboards, and received ONE (1) single keyboard. Amazon warehouse deals can't tell the difference between 1 and 5? Too much trouble for them to correct the order; instead must send back for a refund.

Great keyboard - EXCEPT the USB cable entering the back is VERY thin, and there is NO strain relief or even an attempt to make the entrance point curve gently. In addition, the cable enters the rear of the keyboard at its deepest point. The very thin cable, the sharp bend at the entry point, and the entry point being at the deepest point mean that if you ever take the keyboard anywhere, the USB cable is abused, and consequently, the internal wires of the USB cable break. Although I am very careful (I try not to bend the cable sharply), and although I have moved it only a few times (admittedly once in a suitcase, on an airplane) it has broken twice in a few years. This last time I cannot repair it, and I am looking for a different model.

I have one of these at work also, and it has worked for years just sitting on my desk.

So, it's a GREAT keyboard IF you never move it!

I had to type on a coworker's keyboard for a bit today, and the experienced spurred enough thought that it required a review. Even though I prefer a traditional keyboard, the ergonomic layout is difficult to get used to. And the keyboard additions almost betray the intent of ergonomics: to optimize well-being (yes) and performance (no). I have more errors when using this type of spread-arm keyboard, but it's "supposed" to be better for a repetitive typist. (Side note - I've been consistently jamming away on a computer since the early 90s, and I type like the Big Bang: Way more action and commotion than is probably necessary, but the results are amazing and lightning quick.)

There are a few positives to this keyboard that make it worthwhile. I know most will tout the ergonomic layout as the number one positive - more on that in a second - but I actually think the design of the Space Bar is ingenious. Everyone uses the Space Bar in a rough "U" shape. Both thumbs dive down and nearly never hit the upper-middle of the key. This keyboard makes use of that ignored location and cuts off part of the Space Bar. With that in mind, the empty spot on the Space Bar is occupied by the Zoom button. Normally a dead space on ergonomic keyboards, this Zoom button comes in handy for documents, maps, and just about anywhere else there is fine print. The wrist padding is soft and comfortable, and the plastic "elevator" provides the correct wrist support for even the worst desk sloucher. The "idea" of the function buttons is nice, since programs used often could be programmed in; but, isn't that what the Start Menu is for?

The negatives for this keyboard, however, outweigh the positives in my opinion. First, the minimized Right Shift and Enter keys are noticeable, and lead to fat fingers, but are overall not terrible. The Back and Forth button is just pointless because it's a function for nearly every mouse, but it's also in a horrible location. Positioned just far enough below the Space bar that it can't be reached without picking up one hand or the other, it's perfect for those oh-so-common typists with double-jointed thumbs. The key design and covering wears off far too quickly, or maybe I just don't wash my hands enough. The size of this keyboard is enormous compared to most others. This is the type of keyboard that allows maybe a tape dispenser and one of those dancing hula girls to occupy space; other than that, prepare for the keyboard manifest destiny. The function buttons are nearly a complete waste. Because of the aforementioned bulky size of this keyboard, the function buttons are a mile away and guaranteed for minimal usage. Without the extra, plastic attachment to the bottom of the keyboard, it lies far too flat on the desk, and feels quite uncomfortable.

VERDICT:
If you are starting to get repetitive motion injuries, or OSHA is brow-beating your company, this is a fine keyboard. Otherwise, ride the horse what brung ya.

Jason Elin

I loved using the keyboard for typing and it is very comfortable --- BUT.
The letters are painted on non-durably. After a year or so the E and D, evidently most commonly used, wore off. I contacted Microsoft and they were very nice about sending a free replacement keyboard. I assumed they would have fixed the problem. Bad assumption! After another year the same letters wore off again.

For an ergonomic keyboard, it has some of the shortcut buttons in a very stupid place; in the middle of the resting pad. Very often the heel of my hand would hit the buttons accidentally, change the settings, and require resetting.

The problems are not worth the benefits and, with my new computer, I returned to a conventional keyboard.

ok i had this keyboard for 1 year and it stoped working on me, and i take care of my keyboards, im writing this review from the first keyboard i brought, an ibm old style one with no fancdy keys etc and the mycrosoft always felt like a much more cheaper keyboard than this one, the plastic on the keys and casing of the ibm is about 2 times thicker and it still has all the letters on them, on the microsoft the letters started to fade away after 3 weeks! the keyboard started to malfunction after 6 months, the space bar felt like garbage from day one, and 8 keys on the keyboard stopped working after a year so i had to go back to my old and sturdy ibm, no more microsoft hardware for me, oh and by the way i paid 42 dollars for it.