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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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite
Customer Review: 8+ Years of Service and Still Like New
Summary: 5 Stars
I was just browsing around to see what keyboards were available and I was surprised to see the trusty Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite still on the market. I have been using this keyboard every day for the past eight years and it has not failed me yet.
What is especially great about this keyboard is its easy cleaning. After removing the 10-15 screws from the back of the keyboard, the keys pop out in three sections: left hand, right hand, and number pad. I scrub these with soapy water and a brush and rinse all debris away under the powerful spigot in my bathtub. I let the key sections dry for a few hours and reassemble the keyboard. I have been doing this every few months for eight years and I have yet to strip any screws or break anything. The last time I cleaned it, I used a little bit of rubbing alcohol to remove some of the palm oils which were embedded into the plastic palm rests. This keyboard looks as good as it did in 2002, and none of the keys have begun to show any wear either!
I have to agree with other reviewers that the arrow key layout isn't the best. I remember using the prior model of the Microsoft Natural Keyboard about ten years ago, which had a better design with full-sized arrow keys.
I am considering ordering another one of these just to keep it in the closet in case the one I am using to type this review breaks, although I suspect that this one should last me 10-20 years given its current condition.
Customer Review: Addictive
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Customer Review: Good for wrists, not so good for wallet
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Customer Review: All that, and a bag of chips
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using a Logitech Wireless Comfort Duo keyboard for a number of years. The mouse died a couple of years ago, but the keyboard continued to work fine. Unfortunately when I moved to my new house I began to notice problems with the wireless signal. I decided to go back to a wired keyboard and mouse, and since this is the keyboard I use at work, it seemed like the logical choice for home. I originally wanted the black "4000" version, but the price was way too high. This one matches my Xbox 360, so doesn't really look out of place on my computer table. It does everything it is supposed to, and I especially like the feel of the keys. There is a slight spring or resistance to them which give them a substantial feel. The fact that you can tilt it if you want to also helps with the ergonomics. When I first started my new job seven years ago, within the first few weeks I began to feel wrist pain from using a straight QWERTY keyboard. When I talked my boss into getting me one of these the pain went away and hasn't been a problem since. For a good, reliable, ergonomic keyboard, you can't go wrong with this one.Customer Review: Make life easier
Summary: 5 Stars
I've worked on computers many years and typewriters before that. I have carpal tunnel and, when I discovered this Microsoft erogonomic keyboard, I was ecstatic. It took a little getting used to because it is quite different than a normal keyboard. Now, even with the carpal tunnel, I find I have become so used to it that I can stay on it a lot longer than I did on the old keyboard models. I love it. The builtin wrist rest is a great help along with being able to change the angle of the keyboard by using the little legs. I would recommend it to anyone who has to type a lot so they don't get carpal tunnel. I have used mine for 3 years now and am just ordering another so I'll be sure to have one if something happens to this one. I would hate to not be able to get this particlar model. So, I am sort of stocking up, you might say, just in case. Then it would be my luck not to be able to find it when I need a new one. I'm on the computer 10-12 hr a day, so that should tell you something...it has received plenty of use...and not a problem with it yet. Get one and see for yourself. You will wonder why you waited so long.