Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite Reviews

• Good for wrists, not so good for wallet

  
  By AG4CVJALRXJC3 on 2004-10-28
  I bought the very first issue of the Microsoft Natural keyboard when it came out. It lasted at least five years, after a terrible adjustment period of nearly three weeks. The next one lasted about 16 months. It went downhill for two or three keyboards after that. I've had several models, including the Elite and the Pro and the one with 99 buttons all over the place. The letters now wear off in six months unless you apply clear nail polish to the key tops right away and keep it up. You can't wash it in the shower any more, it no longer has good isolation inside. Use Dow Bathroom Bubbles on a microfiber cloth - rinse VERY carefully, holding the board upside down. Let it dry naturally, don't blow water all over with compressed air, the keyboard just isn't as sturdy as it used to be.
  
  Your wrists/arms/hands can get so used to the comfort that it's impossible to buy a laptop because your wrists ACHE within minutes of using the usual flat keyboard. That's the only downside I see. Otherwise, this is the only affordable ergonomic keyboard around. Keep your receipts handy, tape them underneath the board, in case you have to use the warranty.
  
  

• Keeps your wrists straight

  
  By A3NJCGROMKG9SR on 2004-03-06
  I've been using my Microsoft keyboard for about 4 years now. I'm a fairly wide guy, and when I put my hands together, the arms are pointed in from the shoulders. If I'm using a regular keyboard my wrists have to bend outward from my arms to make my hands line up with the keys. Using the Microsoft keyboard, my wrists are more straight so long use doesn't tire them out. It also is supposed to reduce carpal tunnel syndrome where the tendons would have to bend through a bent wrist to work the fingers. The keyboard has all the regular keys laid out fairly well. It only takes a few minutes getting used to the split board. The cursor moving arrows and special function keys are in groups between the letters and number pad, which works well. One thing that seems strange is that the upper row, the numbers, are split between 6 and 7, instead of between 5 and 6. That's because there are the dashes and such on the right of that row. Seems strange though sometimes. You get used to it pretty quick. The wrist pad extension seems good too.
  
  

• Touch typists (and programmers and gamers) beware

  
  By ANBJ6T65F2XN9 on 2006-03-21
  First off, let me say that this is a pretty solid keyboard. No complaints about the quality.
  
  However, be aware that Microsoft decided to rearrange several clusters of keys on this keyboard. The arrow keys are in a diamond pattern rather than the traditional (and IMHO efficient) "inverted-T". Also, the home/end/insert/del/pg up/pg down cluster has been dissected and rearranged, which causes me no end of grief and mis-keys.
  
  As a touch-typist and a programmer, I've come to expect these keys to be in a certain position. I don't see any added value from Microsoft's updated positioning of these keys. However, they definitely do ding my productivity.
  
  Your milage may vary.
  
  

• Wish I'd read these reviews before buying the Elite

  
  By A1E4UE2SQF3F3J on 2002-08-16
  If you only occasionally type, or you're a hunt-and-peck typist, then this keyboard would be an excellent choice for you. The split keyboard takes some getting used to if you've never used one before, but once you have, you'll never want to go back to a regular square model. The keys on this keyboard are perfectly shaped to cradle your fingers, and the space bar works effortlessly without having to pound your thumb.

  But, if you are a touch-typist and your fingers already know where the keys are supposed to be, then you'll be greatly disappointed and/or frustrated with this Natural Keyboard Elite. I agree with the other negative reviews regarding the smaller size and changed arrangement of the Insert/Home keys, and the smaller squished-together arrow keys. To paraphrase a saying, they shouldn't have fixed something that wasn't broke. I use my keyboard 8 hours a day in my occupation as a medical transcriptionist. I've been typing/keyboarding for 30+ years and my fingers know where the keys are even if I can't remember. So it is a great nuisance to have to constantly look down away from the monitor to see what key my finger is trying to reach. I keep hitting the Home key when I intend to hit the Insert key, because that's the place the Insert key is supposed to be. The newly sized and arranged directional arrows are impossible to correctly hit without first hitting every other key around them.

  It's been mentioned in prior reviews that the keyboard I'm looking for is the Natural Pro, so I guess I'll need to go for a "test drive" of that one. And I'll be sure to bring along a map of the key placement I know and love so I won't make this mistake again.
  
  

• Problematic Key Configuration

  
  By A2BZOVMM5CNWQ2 on 2002-05-21
  I used an older Microsoft Natural keyboard for over five years, and it was excellent. By comparison, conventional keyboards are an occupational hazard. Unfortunately, I broke it while cleaning it, and I had to buy a new one. I picked up the Elite model without looking too closely ... but soon after I started using it, I was cursing under my breath ... because of the arrangement of the Home/Page Up/Page Dn/End/Delete/Insert and arrow keys. They've lost the inverted-T configuration used with the older Natural keyboard. Also, these keys are now half-sized, and therefore harder to hit. These may seem like minor quibbles to some of you -- but they preclude the possibility of hitting these keys without looking at them. This inability is detrimental to any serious touch-typist. I'm a full time IT professional, and as far as I'm concerned, this keyboard is unusable. (My suspicious mind guesses that Microsoft used this bogus configuration to push us to pay for the upscale Pro model, which has the correct key configuration.)
  
  
• Why does Microsoft break standards?
  By A2309QMAQ4MNJ9 on 2004-11-07
  I am a programmer, and I touch type my code. I navigate through pages of text using only the keyboard. Switching to a split keyboard design was not difficult since I touch type anyway. I love the split keyboard part of the design--the old Microsoft Natural Pro keyboard has a great design, and works well for me. I've used other split ("ergonomic") keyboards as well.
  
  However, on the Natural Keyboard Elite, Microsoft has taken the standard arrow key and navigation key clusters and ruined them. The arrow keys are much more difficult to use than the standard, well-designed inverted T layout. While your fingers rested comfortably on the bottom row of arrow keys in the old layout, in the new your fingers don't really fit at all--you can only put two fingers on at once, and you need to move them in awkward ways to switch to the up and down keys from the left and right keys. Ergonomic it is not. Aerodynamic, maybe--after a short time using this keyboard, I certainly feel like throwing it somewhere to find out. Also, the "Insert" key has been removed entirely from the block above the arrow keys after they pointlessly randomized its layout. Insert isn't a super-popular key, but I actually use it frequently, and my fingers expect the entire block to be in the traditional layout.
  
  Why break the standard? Why move the keys around into a LESS useful layout? If you're like me and you end up typing on lots of different keyboards, AND you use the arrow keys a lot to navigate, it turns out to be quite painful to switch back and forth between the different layouts. And some of the keys I use frequently just aren't there.
  
  Bad move Microsoft. Please don't change things "just because you can."
  
  
• Lacks
  By A2Q3S23EZ8X5FM on 2003-07-23
  This keyboard is a decent ergonomic, but I would expect better for this price. Especially from Microsoft. It is nice that the feet to angle the keyboard are in the back as opposed to the front like many ergonomic keyboards. It is more comfortable that way. However, like many others have noted, the key layout of the arrow keys, the 6 keys above them, and the function keys (F1 - F12) are not the standard size/shape. This slows me down considerably. Also, the wrist rest is not removable or replacable. Overall Microsoft could have done a LOT better. Major thumbs down.
  
  
• Great Product!!
  By A381STSWH7L0GY on 2004-08-24
  I am a computer programmer who spends 8+ hours a day using a keyboard. I used one of these keyboards regularly several years ago, but switched back to a standard keyboard after that. Recently, I developed severe tendonitis in both wrists and decided to switch back to see if it made a difference. Within two weeks, my tendonitis was gone and has not returned. Although the layout is slightly different, it does not take long to get used to at all. I recommend this product to anyone and everyone who uses a computer.
  
  
• Typing for many years.
  By on 2003-11-28
  Having used my fingers on keyboards for more years than I want to remember, I finally found a keyboard with my hands, fingers, wrists, and arms in mind. This keyboard takes a few days to get used to because of the ergonomic split in the middle; but, it is well worth the time and effort to get used to it and you'll wonder what you ever did without it. I even got myself an extra one, just in case I should drop a cup of sticky substance in it...I don't want to be without it. You can mostly just rest your hands on the bottom edge and move only your fingers to reach just about all the keys...except for the numeric pad at the right. It even has feet to raise the upper end to a slant if you prefer. I have carpal tunnels and arthritis in both hands and find this has helped them tremendously, it is almost like exercise the doctor would order. I don't think I could ever go back to a normal keyboard again. Try it for a week and you'll be ordering a spare, too. I think it is great that they finally thought of what typists go through when they use a keyboard all day long. Depending on the length of your fingers, you don't even have to lift your hands off the resting part for the heels of your hands; you can just slide them along to the numeric pad and the keys to the left of it. You would only need to lift them to reach the 'F' row at the very top. The way it is layed out, there are even a few extra helpful keys right at your fingertips. In the center split area are little lights that remind you that you have the caps lock key on, and other handy things. I think you know I love it. I think you would, too.
  
  
• Too foreign for me to use...
  By AQ9LWA5CTD3Y9 on 2004-08-04
  I have used the Microsoft Ergo Keyboard for a decade. I still have the one that I bought for my Pentium 120 in my office hooked up to my modern day AMD Athlon XP machine. It's been a real trooper and has probably single handedly saved me from carpal tunnel surgery.
  
  The first time that I sat down with the Elite version of this keyboard, I thought my fingers just weren't doing what they were told. As stated in many of the other reviews, the displacement of the arrow keys and the 6 navigation keys is VERY unnerving. I use the mouse as little as possible and not having the keys where I'm used to them is not a good thing. I probably use ctrl+arrow key combinations more than any other and this keyboard makes that difficult.
  
  For those that are just starting out, and get used to this keyboard from the beginning, will probably be fine. For the long hardened IT guy's like myself and anyone that's been using a computer since the early 90's, should try to find a Pro version somewhere.
  
  
• Never again !!!!
  By A33UZR8DNZ3D1A on 2004-03-27
  I had one of these and sold it because of the key arrangements that are mentioned in other reviews. If you like swearing a lot then this keyboard is for you! If you are a touch typist then my advice is to stay away from this one and get a PRO version. The best advice is to test drive a new ergonomic keyboard at a computer store before buying it.
  
  
• Addictive
  By A2NGBJUC1MJYO9 on 2005-02-15
  I have two of these keyboards at home and two at work (I'm a programmer). All four are over 5 years old and still work perfectly. I started using them after I began to develop tendonitis; they feel very natural and I can type quickly and accurately for long periods of time without a second thought. I'm so used to them that I stumble a little bit on regular keyboards, but it's worth the tradeoff. As for the arrow keys being in a non-standard layout, I don't understand what the big deal is; if you can get used to the split keyboard, you can get used to the arrow keys.
  
  By the way, I use both PCs and Macs and these work fine for both -- on Macs, just pretend the Windows key is the Command (Apple) key, Alt is the Option key, F12 is the Eject key, Insert is the Help key, and you're good to go (although there's no way to control volume from the keyboard, like Mac keyboards can).
  
  Beware of cheap imitations. There are a lot of so-called "ergonomic" keyboards out there but I have yet to see one that is as well designed, as well constructed, and, well, as natural as the Microsoft line.
  
  If you do a lot of typing, do your hands a favor and pick up one of these 'boards. If you can last the first several days of transition, you won't go back.
  
  
• Keys rearranged
  By A1KEKYQV2G8D4R on 2006-05-11
  I went and got this keyboard after the first one broke. I found the keys were re-arranged. Instead of hitting home - I wound up deleting my work.
  
  This is a keyboard I cannot work with. Model Number 1 and 3's were better.
  
  
• More Microsoft Garbage
  By A2ENEGKNVXBANF on 2002-09-04
  I don't know what Microsoft did from their 1st generation of this keyboard to their latest, but they've totally destroyed whatever reputation their original natural keyboard had.
  I have both the old kind (arrow keys in an inverted-T shape) and a new kind (arrow keys in a cross pattern)
  This keyboard had inherent problems with Windows NT 4.0 (certain keys would not work properly) and the keyboard feels cheap.
  Their original keyboard had a hinge underneath the back which would recurve the keyboard away from you. This is the most comfortable setup for a typist. The new kind now has the traditional lift-up on the back that cants the keyboard towards you....a very bad no-no and you are asking for permanent wrist damage.
  The original cost [$], this one is [$], and is exactly 1/2 the quality of the original version. We bought a bunch of these for people at work and most have since swapped them out and have gone back to the standard wrist killers because this keyboard performed so poorly.

  If you can still find a 1st generation MS Natural Keyboard, buy it, but stay away from any later versions.
  
  

• Keys poorly laid out and miniature in size
  By A1F0BLKFXG71ZV on 2002-09-13
  As with several other people who have shared their thoughts on this product, I must say that I absolutely hate it because of the tiny arrow, page up/down, home, insert, delete, and end keys. Pretty much the entire right section of the keyboard requires me to glance off the screen and look at the keyboard before typing.
  
  
• Works Fine
  By A2RR46ALKQNAD9 on 2002-12-12
  I bought this keyboard even though I was fully aware of the key-placement issues that several other folks have describe. But I wanted a USB ergonomic keyboard and couldn't wait for a different brand/model to be shipped (this particular keyboard is easy to find at local office supply stores), and I didn't have a need for the much more expensive wireless keyboards. I can honestly say after about 2 days of use, I don't find it the arrow key configuration an issue at all. Since I'm used to typing on a laptop keyboard, I also didn't find the placement of the PgUp/PgDn/Home/etc. keys a problem.

  I primarily use this keyboard for Office applications, and I think it will suit most users.

  I do like the feel of the keys, and the reduced space that it takes on my desk.
  
  

• very comfortable keyboard
  By A3FYRK1XRP9VDL on 2004-02-08
  I have been using ergo keyboards from Microsoft for many years, and my other one finally gave out after the heavy use I've done with it. I like this keyboard, has a lighter touch for me, since I'm a speed typist. It is smaller than the previous Microsoft ergo keyboard I've used, keys are fine, no issue on smallness. While I use the PS2 portion, I would have had to buy a separate USB card for the USB connector, which is not necessary for my immediate needs. The PS2 part works in the standard keyboard connection on the back of the PC. I recommend this keyboard for those folks with CTS or other hand injuries due to the lighter touch & not having to pound on those smaller keyboards by other brands. The wave shape is great, you can rest your hands on the bottom base portion.
  
  
• Awesome Keyboard!
  By A3IXUBQHZ0H7RO on 2004-03-10
  I have to admit that I love my Natural Keyboard "Pro" version I bought many years ago. (...)

  This keyboard has a smaller footprint, is light, and very very quiet, exactly what I was looking for. Also, it is a basic keyboard with nothing more than the normal keyboard keys so a special driver is not needed for the Elite.

  Once again, awesome keyboard!
  
  

• broke in less than 6 months
  By on 2003-02-17
  the darn thing just quit working entirely- very cheaply made apparently- what a disapointment!
  
  
• Once you go Natural you don't go Back
  By A26MY8PFS8MUIX on 2004-03-02
  I've tried several expensive ergonomic keyboards, but this is still my favorite keyboard. Each key press feels just right, with the right amount of tension. It's definitely easy-going on the hands. I would highly recommend this keyboard first before trying a crazy expensive ergonomic model.
  
  
• good try, not sufficient
  By A1W785HCQHXKZ0 on 2005-10-27
  You need more than a slight tilt and slight elevation if you want to seriously avoid CTS in the wrists.
  The ONLY natural position would be one that has your palms facing each other, just as if you were holding a book out in front of you. There ARE a few keyboards like that out there - dramatic and hi-tech looking - but they cost around $250.
  If you TYPED for a living, all day long, OBVIOUSLY the $250 would be WELL worth it.
  I don't, and I'm on a budget, so I got the Microsloth Natural as an upgrade with the unit I bought several years ago.
  While I CAN report that all of the keys look and function fine, even after ENDLESS hours of gaming, I can NOT recommend this keyboard to a gamer.
  Why? The simultaneous pressing of 3 or 4 keys causes some sort of lock-up and your keyboard will send a constant signal of movement, even though you've lifted your hands off the keyboard.
  It usually happens when you're trying to strafe/run/shoot/jump, etc all at once. It will lock-up and have my character running in some random direction no matter which keys I hit after that.
  I usually have to hit ESC and re-enter the game to regain control.
  I've since read in hardware forums that even the newer versions of Microsloth ergo keyboards have the same tendency.
  So I guess it's a microsloth thing.
  Either way, in summary - if you type for a living: invest in a real ergo keyboard. The kind where both halves of the keyboard are actually separated, nearly waist-width apart, and the halves are turned up and away from each other at nearly 90 degree angles to the desk. And if you game seriously: get another brand, something that won't lock up on you at critical moments.
  Then email me to let me know which model you found!
  
  
  
• Evil key layout!
  By AEBAUPOM4TF9S on 2002-06-11
  My experience parallels a previous review. I also used the older Microsoft Natural keyboard (now the Natural Pro) and it relieved my persistent pain. When I accidentally killed my keyboard, I ordered the Elite model without thinking. Within a few days I was desperate enough to go back to a conventional keyboard. The arrangement of the Home/Page Up/Page Dn/End/Delete/Insert and arrow keys may allow the keyboard to fit in trays, but otherwise it is insane. I never realized how much I use those keys until I was swearing at this keyboard. The arrows keys are nearly impossible to use, especially for gaming. Unless you truly need the keyboard to fit in a tray, please stay away from this annoying, frustrating, and unusable keyboard.
  
  
• Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
  By on 2002-12-26
  I've used a Microsoft split keyboard for several years. I currently have the newer version (the lower cost one without the fancy buttons on the top row) which replaced my original [$$$] one, which was damaged by spilled soda. I can honestly say that these keyboards are more comfortable and create less stress for aching hands and wrists. These keyboards are also good for men that have large hands and have trouble with the cramped space and twisted wrists that result when using standard keyboards.

  I've had surgery on both hands/wrists for carpel tunnel syndrone, which gave some relief from the pain of keyboarding and musical instrument playing. The key to managing carpel tunnel pain from computer use is frequent breaks between typing, ensuring proper posture, and hand streching excercises. These split keyboards can also help.
  
  

• Comfortable, but unnatural placement of some keys
  By A5JLAU2ARJ0BO on 2003-08-21
  I, too, find Microsoft's re-arrangment of the Ins/Del set of keys as well as the arrow keys unfathomable. Hmm, maybe the geniuses at Sony designed this one. :) In any case, this is a comfortable keyboard, and affordable, and I would continue using mine despite the stupid key placements. The multimedia version if a little better, at least with the inverted T keys. BTW the pro version is discontinued.
  
  
• Great Deal!
  By A39PHHL2TU1H96 on 2004-04-11
  This keyboard is value priced and works great. My first Natural keyboard had stiff keys, but these are perfect. The only thing I wish it had was volume control, but I think that the more expensive version does have that feature. All in all, I think this keyboard give you great value for the money. I bought 2 -- one for home and one for work.
  
  
• Feels SO good!
  By A3N81AEB04Y594 on 2002-07-15
  This keyboard feels so good! Typing is effortless and flowing. Once you've used it for a few days, going back to traditional keyboards feels uncomfortable and awkward...that's because they are! --they force your wrists to be in an unnatural position. The keys on the Microsoft Natural Keyboard are set up at the angles your arms would be if you just let them rest in their natural position. See for yourself: hold your arms in front of you and let them fall naturally on the desk. See the angle they're in? That's the angle of this keyboard. Now don't fall for the imitations--only the Natural Keyboard by Microsoft feels this good and works this well.
  
  
• The arrows are very inconvenient
  By A1OKOVZWY563JY on 2005-10-26
  I like the overall keyboard layout with the exception of non-standard cursor arrows, after a week I still could not adapt to them, and I use them a lot in my work. I have noticed that newer versions of Natural keyboard use standard layout for arrows.
  
  
• MS hardware on the cheap
  By A1E914WUWMF7FJ on 2005-11-14
  I bought this to replace a MS ergonomic keyboard from 3 years ago that gave up the ghost. My previous keyboard had a solid feel and the keys were very responsive. This thing is cheap plastic junk. I broke off one of the "legs" just leaning on it the other day. The spacebar is half-responsive, and the tiny little function, arrow and page keys are a nightmare.
  
  Avoid this keyboard at all costs.
  
  
• What was Miscrosoft thinking?!
  By A3AYQRO8VQWWDD on 2005-12-29
  95% of this keyboard is of a fantastic ergonomic design. It's that last 5% that kills you. Specifically, the arrow keys.
  
  Granted, most people won't need them, but if you're a programmer, then having arrow keys chopped in half and shoved into a non-standard configuration is a major shortcoming. Even at a 49% discount, don't buy this keyboard. Buy an ergonomic keyboard with standard-sized and configured arrow keys. Trust me, you'll be happier for it.
  
  
• The worst of all Microsoft keyboards
  By A3M19T0ZVALQAS on 2002-07-06
  The Elite's key layout is non-standard: the Ins/Home/Pgup and Del/End/PgDn key grouping is rotated through 90 degrees. This means that you have to re-learn your right hand typing behaviour. To make matters worse the reduced-size cursor keys are not in the usual inverted T, but in a cruciform arrangement, which makes this keyboard pretty useless for people who engage in FPS games like Quake 2/3, Unreal etc. They're really only fit for people with fingers like pencils.

  On the whole, the Elite keyboard is only for those who suffer from restricted space (such as those who use pull-out keyboard trays), but MUST have a natural layout.
  
  

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