| Rearranged cursor control keys and "F Lock" are an annoyance |
| | This keyboard has a comfortable feel, but I prefer my 7-year-old original Microsoft Natural keyboard, as Microsoft has really fouled up the layout of this one. The "home" and "end" keys have been moved, the "delete" key enlarged to twice its original size, and the "insert" key is entirely missing. What's more, the F keys have been replaced by Microsoft Office control keys (open, save, undo, print, etc.), and if you want them to act how they're supposed to, you have to manually turn on "F Lock" each and every time you boot--this key cannot be controlled by software! (There is a registry hack for Win2k/XP that can effectively disable "F lock" on the PS/2 version, but if you're using USB or another OS, then you're up a creek.) It's a shame Microsoft had to add these annoyances to an otherwise good keyboard.
| | This keyboard and the Pro side by side |
| This keyboard is a surprise. I am typing this with this new keyboard and with a perfectly good MS Natural Keyboard Pro right next to it. I never thought that any other keyboard could match the Pro but this is very close. The key action is actually better on this keyboard! I verified this by having my son try it out too (another Pro user). He types very fast and the first thing he did was turn to me and say "This is a great keyboard!" That agrees with what I felt. The keys are a little noisy but not as bad as the Pro. They definitely take an "off strike" better than the Pro does (The Pro will sometimes not recognize my off center press as it will hang a bit). The layout is exactly the same except for all of the media stuff on top of course. The keys are a little softer but in a good way. I actually prefer the larger delete key and never use the insert key. I will not type on anything but a split keyboard now and have been known to bring one with me when I go to a customer site.
Now the F-Lock problem for Windows XP... That is the one thing I do not like but it is a simple matter to fix. Go to Google and search on "F Lock Key Info". Open the site http://www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html. Download the 2gflockflip.zip file. Unzip the files and right click on the 2gfl-f.reg file and say merge (Say yes to the question- this is a very minor tweak). Reboot. Now the F lock key is reversed! The F keys work when the F Lock light is off and the other keys work when the F light is on. There is an undo file included (undo.reg) that turns things back to normal. I have done it and it works. Now get over it.
There is only one thing about the Pro that I am spoiled about and that are the little programmable grey buttons that I have mapped to Word, IE, Copy, Paste etc. I am going back but I will have several of these keyboards around for when my Pro finally dies. I just hope that the PS2 port is still on my regular motherboard upgrades.
Who would have thought?
| | I am a professional programmer and spend 10 hours a day using Emacs. There has never been a better keyboard in my opinion.
The keys have a great feel. The weight of the stroke is good. I like the slightly soft start of the stroke and the strong crisp finish.
The main advantage over all other keyboards is the layout of the meta (alt) and control keys. They are perfectly balanced in size and position. Now entering Emacs commands is even easier that entering Capital letters. The right hand shift key is one position farther away than the left shift key is, but the control and alt keys are perfectly balanced. On Linux (which I use exclusively) it is even possible to map the center keys to the Super modifier.
Another advantage is the weight of the keyboard. Because it is heavy it doesn't slowly slide away from me across the desk as I type.
The arrow keys are in a good layout and position. I like the double size delete key to the right of the \ key. As for the rest of the keys (keypad, function, fancy multimedia) I have no comment. Most of mine have dust on top.
Another important advantage is the split layout.
But it isn't a perfect keyboard. There are two, minor problems for me.
I have used and worn out many keyboards, and it does seem to me that these keyboard wear out a little bit faster. I usually get from 6 to 9 months (of 10 hour days). I think I was getting closer to 1 year out of the previous MS Natural Elite. The main reason they wear out for me is that I only just hit the left edge of the enter and right-hand shift keys. Eventually this leads to the keys beginning to stick. Depending on your typing habits this may not even be an issue.
A second minor disadvantage is that the keyboard does not permit setting a reverse angle (putting the space bar higher than the function keys.) But I haven't found a (reasonably priced) keyboard that does.
I do wish it wasn't made by Microsoft.
| | This is PS/2 not USB, and I wish it said it clearly in the product description. keyboard is large, looks fine but I can't connect it!
| | | On the microsft site I got the idea this had a USB connector. It doesn't, and I had to return it. They wouldn't let me post this with no rating, so I'm giving it 3 stars because of Microsoft's website error that cost me a few bucks in return shipping. The keyboard itself looks great, though of course I couldn't actually try it.
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