Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard, K50-00001

Other products by Microsoft

Product Details

Product Manual [187kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006D2LD
• Item model number: K50-00001
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,426 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 1, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

The trend toward adding extra function keys to keyboards to control specific parts of Windows or applications continues with Microsoft's introduction of the Natural MultiMedia keyboard. This device takes the ergonomics of Microsoft's Natural keyboard, with its split keypads, shaped surface, and wrist rest, and adds a variety of useful function keys.

Before plugging the Natural MultiMedia keyboard into the PS/2 socket on the back of your PC, it is necessary to install the included IntelliType Pro 2.2 software. It works with Windows 98 and later, though some hot keys require specific versions of applications, such as Internet Explorer.

The keyboard is styled in dark blue, cream, and grey, so it fits in well with other Microsoft peripherals. As with earlier versions of the Natural keyboard, the keys accessed by the left hand are separated from those intended for the right by being angled away, with a triangular spacer in the middle, above the Spacebar. The bottom-row keys, like Ctrl, Start, and Alt, are enlarged to make them easier to press, and the Spacebar itself can still be used with either thumb.

A new F Lock key, positioned to the right of F12, locks the row of function keys into alternate functions, such as Undo, Close, Send, and Print. This makes working with many applications, including e-mail clients, much quicker. There are a further 17 dedicated, special keys behind the function key row that handle things like music playback, opening the My Documents folder, starting the calculator, and switching the PC to sleep mode.

While this keyboard will undoubtedly make most users' lives easier, some "pick-and-peck" typists may have difficulty with the separated keyboard layout. --Simon Williams, Amazon.co.uk

Product Description

Discover the Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard, with one-touch buttons that take you directly to your favorite multimedia activities - navigate music and video clips, surf the Web, start many of the programs you use most, and more. With custom blue accents and a stylish ergonomic design, this keyboard adds dynamic features and vibrant looks to any desktop.Experience a faster way to perform common tasks. Just press a key to open, close, save, and print documents, send and forward e-mails, and more. Switch between standard and enhanced function key commands, giving you more flexibility. Vibrant color and design add personality to your desktop. Split, gently sloped shape encourages a natural hand, wrist, and forearm position for maximum comfort. With the press of a button, you get instant access to Messenger, Mail, Internet, and Calculator commands. Hot keys for My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music put the files you use most within easy reach.

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Funky Function Fantasy, September 30, 2002

By	Richard W. Watson (Talent, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This would be a great keyboard if either the software did just a bit more, or if Microsoft would leave the function keys alone. The additional "media center" at the top of the keyboard is very handy and conveniently located. The calculator button above the keypad is great as are the logoff and sleep functions. Quick access to My Documents also comes in handy.

The downside is that nasty function key redesign. The software has no place to permanently enable the "F Lock" key so that the function keys operate as normal function keys. If you EVER use a function key in any software, use the insert key for anything, or even hit ALT-F4 to close an app, avoid this keyboard... it will frustrate you for weeks to come.

I will probably buy another keyboard and try to recover some money in an auction somewhere.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It all depends on your preference, May 24, 2003

By A Customer

I've been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite ergonomic keyboard for a few years now and love it but when I decided to get an ergonomic keyboard for a second computer I decided to try something new. In comparision, I agree with a previous reviewer in that this keyboard does feel stiffer than the Elite. It all depends on whether you like soft keys or slightly stiffer ones. I prefer the softer keys myself because it's easier on my wrist muscles after hours of typing. When I say stiffer keys, I don't mean terribly stiff but you will notice a difference if you use both keyboards daily like I do. It just makes sense that the softer keyboard would put less strain on your wrist muscles, since it's less of an effort to press it.

The other differences between the two keyboards is that the Elite has smaller keys for the Home, End, arrows, etc buttons whereas this one has basically the standard size, and the Elite also doesn't have the multimedia buttons. The arrows are also rearranged on the Elite but that doesn't bother me because I don't use them much, nor do I use the multimedia buttons much either.

If you get a chance, I would recommend trying them both out first before buying. Both keyboards have about the same ergonomic shape so it comes down to whether you like how it feels when typing, if you need the multimedia functions, or don't like the Elite arrow layout. I gave this keyboard 3 stars because I can type longer on the Elite before feeling pain, which for me is the most important factor in buying an ergonomic keyboard.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Leave well enough alone (programmers beware), July 28, 2003

By A Customer

First I should give Micro$oft credit for attempting to continue to produce a line of ergonomic keyboards with functions for everyone. However, and despite the nice features of the Natural Multimedia keyboard, they dropped the ball, again. I am one of the lucky users who bought an original Microsoft Natural keyboard when they first came out and, after the break-in period (to get used to the split keyboard), I was hooked and never went back to another (in-line) keyboard (actually, I can't go back as they hurt my wrists if I use them for any prolonged period). However, like most computer hardware, those keyboards had a limited life and mine broke. I tried the Natural Elite but, as a programmer/web person, I just couldn't get used to the rearranged arrow keys and small size in general. I was happy to see the original, traditional arrow key arrangement restored on this Natural Multimedia keyboard. However, M$ just couldn't leave well enough alone and saw fit to rearrange/modify the HOME/END/INSERT/DELETE... "location" keys above them. I'm in the same position I was in with the Elite board, I just won't be able to get used to the newly arranged "location" keys (and don't want to as all the other keyboards here at work and the one I have at home orgainize them correctly in their original configuration). Certainly if you don't use the arrow keys or "location" keys much this won't be an issue for you but if you do much coding and depending on your "style" you may find yourself not able to or not wanting to get used to the alternate key layout of the Multimedia Keyboard.

So far I don't mind the added keys as I can choose to use them, remap them to the programs I want, or just ignore them if I don't like them. This is what they should have done with the extended function keys, just made them separate keys as I think there is probably enough room for them. Oh well.

As far as the "F Lock" function key business, it's not that big of a deal to hit the key once whenever you boot your computer. However, there really should have been an option in the driver software that let's you modify the default behavior for this key. Also, it seems that the registry fix for this issue (that can be found on google groups) is only good for Windows 2000, XP, and greater (future); I have not tried it on my NT PC as I'm not sure what it will do since, per M$'s site RE key mapping, it is not supported on that O/S. But let's face it, users should not have to download possibly suspect 3rd party registry hacks to get the typical function key behavior back. It's almost as if Micro$oft is keen on getting everyone to "keyboard" to their specs, even if that means relearning how to type to some degree. Silly.

I was hoping this keyboard would be the redeemer M$ needed after the inferior Elite replaced the original Natural board, a nearly perfect product in my estimation (Dubious? just look at the prices those puppies command now - if you can find them!). But I'm afraid that, due to the placement of the HOME/END/DELETE/INSERT... "location" keys, the flub with the "F Lock" key setting, no USB support, and the fact that they eliminated the front flip-up "foot" found on the underside of the original Natural (that raised the front of the keyboard up and greatly reducing wrist strain - for me) leaves me with no choice but to give this product just 2 stars. Here's hoping they get it right next time :o(