| Stay comfortable and work longer with the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. The split, gently sloped shape of this keyboard allows you to type with a more natural hand, wrist, and forearm position. The ergonomic design helps to prevent poor posture and fatigue, so you can work longer at your computer. At the same time, enhanced F-key commands and a multimedia center give you more control over how your system works, enabling you to tailor your keyboard to match your needs.  | Natural Keyboard Elite
At a Glance: - Ergonomic design for extra comfort.
- Multimedia controls.
- Enhanced F-key commands.
- Connects to USB or PS/2 port.
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Designed For Comfort
You spend a lot of time with your hands on a keyboard, which is why comfort is key. The Natural Keyboard Elite features a split, gently sloped keyboard design that promotes a more natural hand and arm position. A built-in palm rest prevents fatigue, while adjustable keyboard legs ensure that you can find the typing position that works best for you. More Control Over Your System
Get one-touch control over the computer functions you use the most with the Natural Keyboard Elite's enhanced F-key commands. Whether you want to enjoy your favorite music, video clips, or media programs, the multimedia controls give you quick and easy access to all the commands. You can even set the perfect sound level with the integrated volume controls. Easy Connection To Your PC
The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite connects quickly and easily to your PC through any available USB or PS/2 port. It is backed by a limited three-year warranty. What's in the Box
The Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite connects quickly and easily to your PC through any available USB or PS/2 port. It is backed by a limited three-year warranty.
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 Keeps your wrists straight |
| Review Date: March 6, 2004 |
| Reviewer: The Old Philosopher, WA USA |
| 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. |
Good for wrists, not so good for wallet
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| Review Date: October 28, 2004 |
| Reviewer: edfan, Southern California |
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. |
Typing for many years.
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| Review Date: November 28, 2003 |
| Reviewer: , |
| 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. |
Addictive
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| Review Date: February 15, 2005 |
| Reviewer: C. Lyman, Santa Monica, CA USA |
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. |
Great Product!!
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| Review Date: August 24, 2004 |
| Reviewer: T. Williamson, Troy, MI |
| 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. |
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US $33.24
