Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for Business - Wired

Not since the venerable "Keytronics 104" keyboard has a better keyboard been manufactured...until the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 came on the market many years ago.The main plus is the PADDED WRIST RESTS in front of the Excellently split and angled keyboard. One can comfortably rest the "heels" of their hands on the rests and type on the keys very comfortably.The keys are "large" - great for people with LARGE fingers/hands (like Me!). The "F-keys" are summarily "large" and well-placed at the top of the keyboard. They are also VISIBLY LABELED with their "alternate" functions when the "F-Lock" key is activated (the "F" LED at the bottom of the keyboard will light when it is activated). The CAPS LOCK, SHIFT, ALT and CTRL keys are equally "large", so you can't miss them. The SPACE BAR is "enormous" and can easily be pressed with EITHER thumb when needed. The key response is CRISP AND DEFINITE, even though it's a "membrane-based" keyboard. Key presses are relatively quiet, which may be an "obstacle" for those who desire keys that "click and clack" when pressed. The "Key Travel" is roughly 1/4", which is Not That Bad - you'll "feel" and "see" the keys "move" when you press them! The "letter" keys are also annotated with their "CTRL-Shortcut" functions. However, these annotations are on the middle of the key fronts and are Not Very Visible with the keyboard "forward-tilted" (via the back feet).Typing about the rear "tilt feet": THEY ARE FRAGILE AND WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK OFF! one way to avoid this is to (epoxy or hot) glue a 1" corner bracket next to the "well" the feet inhabit. Orient the brackets so the CORNER POINT rests on the desk surface - this will give you Almost The Exact Tilt Height as the feet. I learned this from (unfortunate) User Experience. Also, over time the thin "cushion bars" may become dislodged (and lost), especially if the keyboard is "pushed" a lot on the desk. This may/may not be an issue depending on the user.The "cursor" keys are arranged in the now-ubiquitous "Inverted-T" immediately to the right of the right-side SHIFT and CTRL keys and directly beneath the "editing" (INSERT, DELETE, etc.) key cluster. On the far-right is the "full-function" Numerical Keypad that, if you're an "Old School" computer user, can be converted to the "Old Style" cursor control/editing functions (found on the ORIGINAL IBM-PC/XT keyboards) by toggling the "Num Lock" key (the "1" LED lights when the Numerical Keypad is so enabled).There's the Silver "Media Control" key row at the Very Top. There are 3 keys for Web Browsing and E-mail, 5 programmable "User Function" keys (Requires Microsoft Software running under Windows), 4 keys for muting, volume control, and "Play/Pause" for music/video. Then there's the "Calculator" key on the right end that, when pressed, will call up a calculator on Windows systems, and a "Star" key that is used to add "Favorite Sites" when browsing.The LED "column" at the bottom of the keyboard displays the status of the Caps Lock ("A"), Num Lock ("1"), Scroll Lock ("Down Arrow") and F-Lock ("F") keys. Green LED means the function is enabled, "dark" LED means the function is disabled. In "normal" use, the "F Lock" and "Num Lock" LEDs will be on.Finally, there's the "screen zoom" lever mounted between the "G" and "H" keys (very useful when you need Quick Magnification/Reduction of the screen contents) and the "Quick Nav" buttons below the Space Bar, used for quickly "paging back/forward" when browsing (limited by the "Page History" of the opened browser).System Compatibility: even though this keyboard is "Windows Preferred", my system runs LINUX and this keyboard WORKS FLAWLESSLY! all the "main functions" operate perfectly, thanks to the Excellent Linux USB Keyboard Support that's part of Linux Distributions.Why this "effusive" review? I had an 8 year-old Ergonomic 4000 keyboard that recently DIED and I spent a few days searching for Local Stores for another one (No Dice! :( ). I eventually ordered one from Amazon and have typed this review using it (I was using a "Gaming" keyboard in the interim - it was Okay, but It Just Didn't Feel The Same). I hope Microsoft doesn't abandon making this keyboard!

Spilled water on my keyboard that I had for 20+ years and had to get a new one. Tried two newer models but hated them both. Found the identical keyboard that I had for 20+ years and purchased it from this vendor as used but "like new." Was not sure what condition the used keyboard would be in but it really is like new. All the letters are still on the keys (mine had worn off many years ago). I'm so happy to have my favorite keyboard back. Thank you for offering this "like new" keyboard at a reasonable price. Okay, so it was double what I paid for my keyboard but it is worth it to have the exact keyboard that I love.

First keyboard had buttons that didn't work. Told the seller and he immediately arranged for a new keyboard and a return and have been very nice and all over it to make sure I was satisfied so a happy experience in the end. yay!

Very nice ergonomic keyboard. Only issue is the supporting clips are a bit weak, easy to break.

Just like new. Whoever you are, thank you!!I can't negotiate cheap keyboards.I didn't know these keyboards are rare.My "k" started to stick with a couple others all on the same day. So, tore it apart and really ruined it.BUT the old keyboard and guts are complete. Let me know if you want it. Its yours!!Thank you!!!!!!

Keys quit working after 3 months. Type q would type qert etc.

Great condition but shipping took longer than expected.

Works great. The price is a little steep but considering that they have the keyboard in stock, it was approved by management. I'm so accustomed to ergo keyboards now that it's challenging to use a regular one...