Product Review: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is a very different style of computer keyboard. It is designed so your hands slope downwards toward the keys, not upwards as with a standard keyboard. The main keyboard is split into two, in order to encourage the use of both hands and a better typing style. The front of the keyboard is raised with an integrated wrist rest, so that you rest your wrists on the front of the keyboard and your hands naturally flop down onto the keys.
My husband is both an IT geek and an ergonomics fan and bought this keyboard to use at his old job. When he changed jobs, the keyboard came home and dubiously I tried it. Although it felt very weird to use at first, I loved it almost straight away. The downwards hands position really is a lot more comfortable and less tiring and the forcing of a better typing style means less repetitive strain. It does take some getting used to, particularly if, like me, your previous typing style was fast but messy! However, the benefits are quickly felt, making it easy to persevere.
As well as the ergonomic design, it also has the following features:
· an intuitive Zoom key in the middle of the keyboard.
· customizable “hot keys”.
· Email and Internet “hot keys”.
· Multimedia keys.
· an improved number pad with commonly used symbols, such as equal sign and backspace.
· a Calculator button.
System requirements are Windows 2000 service pack 4 or higher, 60 MB free hard drive space, a CD-ROM drive and a USB port.
© 2008 by Lindsey Middlemiss, butyoudontlooksick.com
