Evaluation:  
Conclusion: Nice design, bad execution
Review: It's a comfortable keyboard to use, and the extras like the volume buttons and other shortcut keys are nice, but the workmanship and quality is just lousy. It often misses the 'i' key when I'm typing which is quite annoying. Yesterday my escape key stopped working all night until it magically started working again this morning.
I have also had problems with a recent Microsoft mouse that I bought, which they replaced for free after 6 months when I called them and complained, but the replacement lasted only another 6 months.
I love MS's ergonomic designs for their mice, keyboards, and gaming devices, but they really need to get some quality control if they want to keep their reputation in this market segment.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Comfort and Quiet
Review: Just a couple points on this keyboard. Its not good for 2-finger typing, so for those of you that hunt-and-peck, don't get this keyboard!
For the rest of us, you will notice reduced hand and wrist strain (I noticed it immediately). Its fast (you will probably increase in typing speed) and its quiet (One of the reasons I choose it). AFTER you get used to it (about 2 weeks), you will love it! The padded, leather-like material in the wrist support is very comfortable.
I find the "calculator" key quite useful. Its just a short-cut key to the windows calculator, but its handy because I use mine a lot.
I am a college student finishing up a degree in Computer Science. I use my new Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 for typing term papers, essays, and writing a lot of programs and JAVA code for school. Happy hunting!
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Key placement is great, space bar makes me regret the purchase
Review: I've had this keyboard for a few weeks. It's my third split ergonomic keyboard, my first from Microsoft. The hand position feels just right, but depressing the keys is noisy and unpleasant. The space bar is worst of all, since hitting it anywhere but right in the middle requires an extra hard press. And since this is a split keyboard, my thumbs don't reach to the middle of the space bar when in the standard typing position. I had hoped the space key would loosen up to allow my off-center use without requiring so much force to depress it. It hasn't, and I still find myself correcting missed space typos weeks later. I use this keyboard with a laptop when at my desk, and I keep catching myself typing at desk height on the laptop to avoid the Microsoft keyboard, a no-no for me due to a repetitive stress injury. While I read about the space bar issue before purchasing, and decided it wouldn't bother me enough to make me choose something else, buying this keybord was a mistake for me.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: What is up with the SPACEBAR?
Review: I upgraded from the Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard to this one and I am back to using my original keyboard. The good thing about this keyboard is that it allows you type in a more comfortable and natural position. The wrist rests are a bit softer than my original natural ergo keyboard.
If you use this for typing out letters, amazon reviews, and essays, you will do just fine. That's because your two thumbs will rest in the center of the SPACEBAR. This is enough force to get desired response.
If you use the keyboard for typing and game playing, then you will have an issue with this keyboard. That's because a gamer will most likely press the SPACEBAR key from the sides and that will cause a sticking seesaw motion with the key. I went to the store and tested other Microsoft keyboards and it seems they addressed this issue with the wireless 7000 combo keyboard. It costs a lot more than this one.
Let's call this keyboard Windows ME. It works for some but annoys others. Go for the 7000 which is Windows XP. Hope this helps.
Evaluation:
Conclusion: Small price to pay
Review: If you spend too long at a desk and the aches and pains associated with typing your life away are getting to you, I would heartily recommend this keyboard as part of an ergonomic make-over. There are plenty of other very competent reviews here that go into the finer points, but my 2 cents? It probably won't cure major woes on it's own, but with proper monitor height, foot position and all that jazz, I have certainly noticed a significant improvement. Bottom line my wrists and hands are more comfortable during the day and they don't hurt at the end of it. I'm also typing with greater speed and accuracy with this keyboard.
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