Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
by Microsoft
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List Price: Our Price: $29.99 You Save: $9.96 (25%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $14.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
Customer Review: A nearly perfect keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
To be perfectly honest, my mom stole one of these from an office job years ago because they were just throwing it out, and she thought the design was cool. Little did I know, I was getting one of the best keyboards I've ever used.
First and foremost is the ergonomic design- it's really quite surprising how much hate the ergonomic design generates from touch typists who are unwilling to do any retraining. Trust me, it's worth the change, and it's really not that bad. I really wish more businesses would get with the program and get these keyboards- the amount of stress they take off your wrists is something you'll miss if you're ever stuck at a "regular" keyboard again- I've carried this keyboard with me when sometimes when I've done repair work for friends. In fact, this keyboard also promotes proper hand placement for typing, and you might find yourself typing faster overall after you adjust. Change to an ergonomic keyboard today, and you'll thank yourself forever.
A surprisingly good part of the keyboard is that it has no programmable buttons. Lots of computer users swoon over keyboards that give you one-touch access to your email or your internet browser- but in the long run, those buttons are more of a hassle than a help. Keyboard software can stop working, and potentially much worse, all those extra gadgets can make a more complicated keyboard incompatible with certain systems. This keyboard has only the basics, so it plugs in and works instantly just like any other standard keyboard. Because of this, my keyboard has outlived 3 computers at this point, and has worked perfectly on them all. I would say that this keyboard's excellent plug-and-play features make it "portable", but that's a bit of a misnomer as the ergonomic layout does make it bigger than most, and you will have to take that into account when looking at keyboard trays or desk space.
This brings us to the only real potential problem with the keyboard, which is that it might not be appropriate for gaming use. If you need to use the arrows extremely quickly for gaming or a similar purpose, the diamond requires your fingers to skip over each other going from up to down. Most games however use the WASD keys for the most critical aspects of the game, with the arrows being more secondary, making this a non-issue.
This is a more comfortable keyboard that's best for typing. It's not as good for some games, and it's not so good for travel. So long as you know what you're getting, this is an excellent unit, highly recommended.
Customer Review: A distinction I learned the hard way
Summary: 5 Stars
To Whom it May Concern,
I grew up on this keyboard. Years after the Gateway it came with was relegated to an elementary classroom, it continues to work astoundingly well. I have tested many keyboards in my time, and none have ever come close to this product. If you're looking for comfort and speed, this is the device to beat.
Unfortunately (at least in terms of typing), I could not live at home forever. When the day came for me to leave my beloved keyboard, I tried to lessen the loss by purchasing my own. Alack! Microsoft betrayed me by changing the design and feel! When it arrived, I hardly thought it would be a bastard brother. How could Microsoft toy with perfection, after all, when the the name and layout remained the same? Oh, but it was! A slightly different tinge was only the most superificial difference. Much to my chagrin, the keys felt cheaper. Worse yet, my device seemed to only occasionally reproduce verbatim what my fingers dictated. What a cruel trick! Even a product manufactured by the very same company, bearing the very same name, could not match the skill of my homestead keyboard.
There is hope, yet, though, for you and me. Some sellers may just be peddling the older version. Here is how you can tell the difference:
-the newer versions are white, while the older ones are an ivory color (I know, because I have the bastard brother sitting in my lap as I enjoy its predecessor to write up this review)
-the newer version (or at least the one I have) has grey prints for the scrlk, caps lock, and num lock keys in the center of the keyboard, while my older one has black prints. Additionally, the Microsoft print is grey as well.
-the newer one has a more textured feeling to it, while the keys themselves feel less sturdy. I might've gotten used to this, had the keyboard functioned as well as the one I was used to.
I realize this may sound like nit-picking, but only minutes ago I used one right after the other I could truly tell a difference. If you are going to buy this keyboard, try to find the older kind (I found one on eBay). It is truly worth it!
Best of luck,
George H. Reme
Customer Review: My Favorite Keyboard
Summary: 5 Stars
I work in IT, so I get to try A LOT of different keyboards. This is, by far, the best keyboard that I have ever had. I got my first Microsoft Natural Elite about 10 years ago and am only now replacing it because I took it apart to clean it and lost the screws. These things last and last. It got a little louder as it aged, but other than that (and being filthy), it was as good as the day I bought it before I disassembled it.
When I first purchased this keyboard, I immediately picked up about 10 words per minute. I type fast (average around 100 words per minute), and I attribute a lot of that to using a comfortable keyboard.
I code a lot and I email a lot, and I can type on this thing for hours without any wrist or hand strain. The only real drawback is that it's ruined other keyboards for me. When I use a standard straight keyboard, I'm now much more aware of just how awkward and uncomfortable it is. When I use any Apple keyboard, for example, my wrists hurt and my hands cramp after a few minutes.
I recommend this keyboard to anybody for whom comfort is a priority. You cannot beat a split ergonomic keyboard. There may be a bit of a learning curve for non touch typists, but the benefit to your body is well worth the investment.
A final note: I prefer this keyboard over the larger "pro" models because I don't need or like the extra keys for multimedia, etc. and this one is a bit smaller. Also, be advised that they Home/End/Delete/Page Up/Page Down/Insert keys and the arrow keys are not arranged in the standard way. I use all of these keys a lot, but the different placement has never been a problem for me.
Customer Review: Typing for many years.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Customer Review: A Keyboard that Delivers
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for an ergonomically designed keyboard, you might want to give the Natural a try. My recent purchase was actually to replace the exact same keyboard (the Natural) I'd been using for the last 7 or 8 years and grown completely addicted to. It was in perfect working condition until my daughter spilled water all over it! When that happened, I tried to blowdry it and was able to get all but a few of the keys to work, but I just couldn't fix it completely. In the meantime, I hooked up a standard keyboard and just about cried in frustration at the unnatural and stressful positions my hands and wrists were forced to take. I was unable to find an exact replica in any of the local stores, so I bought it online. Inexpensive and ahhhh ... the comfort is absolutely unbeatable. The split in the middle allows the wrists and hands to align, reducing fatigue. The fingers rest in a natural position on the keyboard, again reducing stress and possible injury. The touch is soft, much softer than the other boards I tried. I raised a few eyebrows as I tapped and tapped each keyboard at the computer store, trying to match the softness I had known for so many years with the Natural. This is a keyboard for people who WORK on a computer. It lacks the bells and whistles of other keyboards such as volume control, internet button, and a few others, but those are not useful to me, and I like that I didn't have to pay for them when I bought this keyboard. This keyboard really works for me.