Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000

Will Smith — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:11:56 -0600

We’ve long admired Microsoft’s Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000; its combination of a downward tilting typing surface and a split layout is the perfect salve for our aching wrists. But we aren’t as fond of the Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000, which is unfortunate, as the devices are paired in one bundle for the weak-wristed.

The wireless version of the Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is virtually identical to the wired one, but it communicates with your PC via a 2.4GHz transmitter. The key action and layout of the two boards are the same; the only differences between the two are that the wireless board sports a slightly lighter color scheme and its status lights (for Caps Lock and its cronies) are replaced by software toggles to conserve battery life, which is good. The Ergo plank didn’t run down its two AA batteries after two months of constant use.

The Natural Wireless Laser Mouse is another story. While we appreciate that the mouse allows for a neutral hand position, which lets you grip it in your hand’s most relaxed position, we don’t like the loss of precision that holding the device like a soda can engenders. Even after several weeks of use, we weren’t able to consistently make horizontal mouse movements; the cursor invariably drifts down when you use your wrist to move the mouse from right to left. We also wonder why this mouse requires standard disposable batteries. Unlike keyboards, wireless mice need rechargeable batteries; they simply suck up too much power to use standard AAs.

Although we were able to use the mouse for extended periods of time unassisted, we don’t feel that this device is a significant improvement over a more accurate, traditional mouse paired with a good gel-covered wrist rest.

The keyboard is a good match for gamers, but we can’t recommend the mouse for anyone who needs to make high-precision movements. Unfortunately, this wireless keyboard’s score is brought down by its subpar companion.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Will Smith — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 15:38:25 -0600

Finding the perfect keyboard can be tricky, especially if you prefer the split “ergo” design to the traditional style—as the options for the former have become increasingly limited in recent years. Fortunately, we’ve long been able to count on Microsoft’s Natural Keyboard Pro, finding its combination of split design, traditional key layout, and integrated USB 1.0 ports superior to all others. Now it seems Microsoft’s Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 could finally replace the aged Natural Pro as our split-keyboard of choice.

Instead of sporting the typical, and potentially uncomfortable, upward-tilting design, the Natural 4000 tilts down, away from you. The downward action puts your wrists above your fingers, which prevents you from contorting your wrists into an unhealthy position. And, indeed, our sensitive wrists remained free of irritation throughout our testing of the keyboard.

The “added features” are useful, but not revolutionary. There’s a series of custom macro buttons above the standard keys. We immediately configured ours to control our media player; alternatively, you could have them open specific applications or fire up certain keyboard shortcuts. A zoom toggle between the two halves of the keyboard is nice, but we’d rather use it to scroll up and down than to perform the default zoom/magnify function.

The 4000’s key action is soft and quiet, even compared with others of its ilk. We personally don’t mind a keyboard with more resistance and a healthy click, but we know some users will truly value the Natural 4000’s quietude. Also, the keys reside in comparatively shallow pockets, making the distance of travel for each key much shorter than that of a standard Keytronics keyboard, and even the Natural Keyboard Pro.

Like most boards we’ve tested recently, this keyboard sports the “enhanced” F-keys that “supplement” the default function of the F1-F12 keys. We’re not fans of this tack. What’s the point of adding hardwired keyboard shortcuts for functions like Print and Cut that already have perfectly serviceable keyboard shortcuts?

We miss the Natural Keyboard Pro’s integrated USB hub. But because we haven’t been able to use the unpowered hub for USB thumb drives above 512MB, its absence on the Natural 4000 isn’t devastating.

Month Reviewed: March 2006

Verdict: 9
kickass=yes

URL: www.microsoft.com

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