Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

My 2nd Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Posted 1 year ago - My second one of these just went out. The first one I had lasted 2 days. Then the C and V keys would not work. Got another one as it was under warranty. It has lasted a month. The C key will not work. The guy working at the store said they had been seeing a lot coming back with the same problem.

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excellent keyboard for macs too!

Posted 1 year ago - I like the feel much better than current mac keyboards. Shockingly, the software driver correctly maps the ALT key to Command. Even its multimedia keys work correctly. (In fact, the pause/play key starts and stops iTunes about 2 seconds faster than the equivalent key on an Apple keyboard.)

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Horrible spacebar problems

Posted 1 year ago - I just bought a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. The spacebar sticks and really slows down the typing. This seems to be a common complain with this keyboard. I would NOT recommend it.

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great keyboard

Posted Oct 10, 2005 - have been waiting for a wired black ms natural keyboard for a while. i like the keyboard. the padded wrist rest is very nice. zoom slider seems useless. a "power on" button would have been welcome. software package is huge to customize keys. keyboard is very customizable. all & all happy with the product.

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The best Natural yet

Posted Oct 17, 2005 - I have previously owned the original Natural and the Natural Pro keyboards, skipping the Elite because MS screwed up the placement of the arrow keys and the block of 6 keys above them. These ergonomic keyboards are great for playing FPS-style games. I can play for hours without any finger or wrist cramping, compared to the torture of using a straight keyboard. If you've never used an ergo keyboard before, there is definitely a learning curve, but you will get used to it after a week or so of regular use. All of the MS keyboards I have owned previously have been built very solidly, and the 4000 is no exception. If anything, I think it's a little bit better than before. The key presses are almost completely silent, so unless you like the clickity-clack racket of old-school keyboards, you will love this keyboard. The big negative I found with this keyboard is the lack of extra USB ports. I mean, geez, if it's a wired USB keyboard, why leave off the extra ports for easily connecting a mouse, tablet, or whatever?

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Driver problems with Microsoft ergonomic keyboard

Posted Jul 17, 2006 - After installing the keyboard software, MS Excel, and Power Point zoom to the max. PP then "flickers". Had to press the shift key to open Word. Otherwise it opened and immediately closed. One web page repeatedly closed whenever I tried to type in a specific text box. Uninstalling the driver fixed these problems. The keyboard is nice, but the driver (5.5.661) needs fixing.

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The most comfortable keyboard in existance!!!

Posted Oct 19, 2005 - Bottom line...comfort! Forget all the other features! this keyboard is comfortable. The words just fly off your fingers with this keyboard! no stuttering! It also has tons of features that you can use if you choose to. But if your hand is tired of typing, invest in a little comfort.

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microsoft makes typing much easier

Posted Nov 2, 2005 - I highly recommend this keyboard because I type and play games frequently putting unduly strain on my hands.The keyboard is functional as well as good looking.The software was easy to install and has a variety of supportive features such as one button access to the internet. I hope to enjoy using this product for years to come.

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Best (reasonably priced) keyboard out there!

Posted Nov 29, 2005 - Microsoft knocked this design out of the park. I can't emphasize enough how nice it is to type on this - even coming from the much loved Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. (NKP) Finally, Microsoft has released a keyboard that is both black & wired, their wireless products have given me lots of headaches. The layout continues the same layout as previous Natural Keyboards, but both sides appear to have a bit more of a concave shape than previous models - resulting in a better feel for me. The keys also have a softer type to them rather than the loud click of my NKP, another welcome change. In addition, the black/silver appearance of the keyboard definately matches the sleek looking computer cases & LCD bezels nowadays. Top this off with the reliable Microsoft keyboard software and it is difficult to find things not to like. No worries though, I'm rather picky and can always find things to complain about. The shape of some specific keys is bad, where they seem to have raised the center of the key above the sides rather than making it lower. This results in situations where sometimes I can't pinpoint the key easily and/or my finger will slip off. (Thankfully this is not all of them) The keyboard riser to raise the front of the keyboard is good, but it's too high in my opinion. They should have somehow made it user adjustable. Last but not least, the zoom button in the middle can useful, but I often find myself hitting it accidentally - a minor annoyance. Bottom Line: Buy this now.

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Microsoft Natural Keyboard 4000

Posted Mar 29, 2006 - This keyboard replaced my trusty MS Natural Multimedia Keyboard. The think that really caught my attention was the padded wrist and elevation option. These worked really well for me. The new zoom key is nice, but I keep going back to my mouse for this function. Good software to support programming key functions. I really like the keyboard response when I type and the pad does really help after typing all day. As a wish list item I would have liked to see an USB hub built into the keyboard.

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Great Keyboard!

Posted Jan 28, 2006 - As expected with something new, this keyboard will take some retraining of your mind. It feels extremely smooth and comfortable and after a few days you get used to having your hands in a new position and the typos get less and less. I love this keyboard and I am sure I could never go back. I also love the middle back and forward buttons, so easy to hit them with your thumbs while you surf.

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Could a keyboard get any better?

Posted Nov 18, 2005 - The keyboard riser to raise the front of the keyboard is good, but it's too high in my opinion. They should have someehow made it user adjustable. The only weaknesses I could find is the zoom button, it really doesn't work all that well, and takes up way to much space for something so useless. And the front keyboard riser which seems way to tall this would be much better if it was ajustable. I have used Microsoft keyboards prior to this board and this keyboard is an improvment over all of them. Very confortable and makes your typing a pleasure. You have almost every option at your fingertips. You can accomodate the F-lock keys to your own commodity. It also looks and feels beautiful. In additions, the black/silver appearance of the keyboard definately matches the sleek looking computer cases & LCD bezels nowadays. Top this off with the reliable Microsoft keyboard software.

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Nice Keyboard

Posted Jan 19, 2006 - I would recommend this keyboard for the ease of use, comfort and just the overall looks and style. It has lots of different features and the software is awesome. I also like the keys you can program to do what you'd like them to do. It's definitely a keeper and a great keyboard for you to consider when needing an ergo keyboard.

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Comfort and style

Posted Jan 6, 2006 - In terms of ergonomics, this keyboard offers little improvement over previous Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, IMHO. And, it is missing the logoff and sleep hotkeys that a lot of other Microsoft keyboards have. However, it differs from previous models in that it is very quiet while typing and has a soft, faux leather palm rest--things that may benefit some people. Plus, its color scheme is quite stylish. So, if you already have an ergonomic keyboard, you may not find a compelling reason to replace it with this keyboard. But if you don't, then this keyboard definitely deserves consideration. Also note that this keyboard is purely USB and does not support PS/2 ports--using a USB-to-PS/2 adapter will not work either. This may be an issue for some people. Like other Microsoft keyboards with hotkeys across the top, the included Intellitype software will allow most of the hotkeys to be re-programmed to either run a specific application, open a file, or open a web page.

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Microsoft should make OS product better. Don’t make any hardware stuff more.

Posted Dec 17, 2005 - The keys are so stubborn, and bulky. They don't go down smoothly. I have to hit real hard. (especially right ALT key and SPACE bar) I have to hit those keys several times. This keyboard is also noisy, and too spacy. Microsoft should do their job - fixing bug on windows XP.

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