Rating: 
Summary: Small learning curve, but great product
Review: After about a week with the keyboard, I have to say I love the thing. It looks kind of funky on your desk, but in a good way. So there is a bit of a learning curve with the keyboar. At least there was with me. It made apparent that I was using the wrong hand for some of the keys. After about 10 minutes with the keyboard, I pretty much retaught myself with correct tying skills.Some other things about the keyboard: It's kind of annoying that there are different default buttons for where the F-keys are. You have to push an F-lock button every time you start up your computer, otherwise the buttons will do things like open Help (F1) and Close windows (F6), when you want them to do other things. I also am enjoying the keyboard for games (First person shooters mostly). I can easily and quickly find the keys I need.
Rating:
Summary: Small learning curve, but great product
Review: After about a week with the keyboard, I have to say I love the thing. It looks kind of funky on your desk, but in a good way. So there is a bit of a learning curve with the keyboar. At least there was with me. It made apparent that I was using the wrong hand for some of the keys. After about 10 minutes with the keyboard, I pretty much retaught myself with correct tying skills. Some other things about the keyboard: It's kind of annoying that there are different default buttons for where the F-keys are. You have to push an F-lock button every time you start up your computer, otherwise the buttons will do things like open Help (F1) and Close windows (F6), when you want them to do other things. I also am enjoying the keyboard for games (First person shooters mostly). I can easily and quickly find the keys I need.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice keybard, but.....
Review: After using the Elite keyboard for years, I started using this model. I think this keyboard performs just as well as the Elite did. There is only one flaw worth speaking about, and it's a MAJOR one. The function keys are disabled by default. You have to press the F-lock key before using them. This is particularly frustrating on multi-boot systems or system setup (F2) on bootup. If Microsoft insists on having these keys do more than one thing, they need to least have default functionality be just like any other keyboard. For this reason, I gave it only 3 stars intead of the 4 - 5 it would have otherwise deserved.
Rating: 
Summary: Leave well enough alone (programmers beware)
Review: First I should give Micro$oft credit for attempting to continue to produce a line of ergonomic keyboards with functions for everyone. However, and despite the nice features of the Natural Multimedia keyboard, they dropped the ball, again. I am one of the lucky users who bought an original Microsoft Natural keyboard when they first came out and, after the break-in period (to get used to the split keyboard), I was hooked and never went back to another (in-line) keyboard (actually, I can't go back as they hurt my wrists if I use them for any prolonged period). However, like most computer hardware, those keyboards had a limited life and mine broke. I tried the Natural Elite but, as a programmer/web person, I just couldn't get used to the rearranged arrow keys and small size in general. I was happy to see the original, traditional arrow key arrangement restored on this Natural Multimedia keyboard. However, M$ just couldn't leave well enough alone and saw fit to rearrange/modify the HOME/END/INSERT/DELETE... "location" keys above them. I'm in the same position I was in with the Elite board, I just won't be able to get used to the newly arranged "location" keys (and don't want to as all the other keyboards here at work and the one I have at home orgainize them correctly in their original configuration). Certainly if you don't use the arrow keys or "location" keys much this won't be an issue for you but if you do much coding and depending on your "style" you may find yourself not able to or not wanting to get used to the alternate key layout of the Multimedia Keyboard. So far I don't mind the added keys as I can choose to use them, remap them to the programs I want, or just ignore them if I don't like them. This is what they should have done with the extended function keys, just made them separate keys as I think there is probably enough room for them. Oh well. As far as the "F Lock" function key business, it's not that big of a deal to hit the key once whenever you boot your computer. However, there really should have been an option in the driver software that let's you modify the default behavior for this key. Also, it seems that the registry fix for this issue (that can be found on google groups) is only good for Windows 2000, XP, and greater (future); I have not tried it on my NT PC as I'm not sure what it will do since, per M$'s site RE key mapping, it is not supported on that O/S. But let's face it, users should not have to download possibly suspect 3rd party registry hacks to get the typical function key behavior back. It's almost as if Micro$oft is keen on getting everyone to "keyboard" to their specs, even if that means relearning how to type to some degree. Silly. I was hoping this keyboard would be the redeemer M$ needed after the inferior Elite replaced the original Natural board, a nearly perfect product in my estimation (Dubious? just look at the prices those puppies command now - if you can find them!). But I'm afraid that, due to the placement of the HOME/END/DELETE/INSERT... "location" keys, the flub with the "F Lock" key setting, no USB support, and the fact that they eliminated the front flip-up "foot" found on the underside of the original Natural (that raised the front of the keyboard up and greatly reducing wrist strain - for me) leaves me with no choice but to give this product just 2 stars. Here's hoping they get it right next time :o(
Rating: 
Summary: blatant disrespect for previous MS natural keyboard users
Review: First of all this keyboard is not bad in itself, the key action is alright. HOWEVER there are two things about this keyboard that have caused me to lose some productivity when using this keyboard: 1. MS decided to change the layout of the home/delete/end/pgup/pgdwn/insert key group AGAIN! 2. MS decided to delete the right windows key. I had used a windows natural keyboard before this and had just begun to get used to the alternative key-layout. Now they have changed it AGAIN!... If this would be your first MS natural keyboard it's probably alright for you but I feel MS is unreliable when it comes to adhering to one layout. MS does not seem to care that it's customers lose productivity when they have to use a keyboard with a different layout (especially when you're a touch typist like me)... My next KB is not going to be a MS as I don't trust them to keep the layout the same.
Rating:
Summary: Decent enough keyboard, but...
Review: Having used the original Microsoft Natural Keyboard for a few years, I figured I might as well "upgrade" to the multimedia one. I thought the extra, quick access keys (for e-mail, calculator, buttons for multimedia players, etc.) would come in handy. In a way they are. They are "programmable," meaning you can decide what folder/program is open for specific keys. But I've also found they don't necessarily respond when you need to use them, thus adding a slight inconvenience. In fact, after awhile, I found myself using shortcut icons far more often than the programmable keys. This keyboard seems to feel a little "cheaper" than its predecessor. It doesn't feel as sturdy (or as heavy) as the original Natural Keyboard. Sometimes when I'm typing, I feel like whatever's holding the keys in place will suddenly break. In fact, the legs that support the keyboard (so the keyboard would be at an elevated/tilted position) broke all too easily. It's as if cheaper or thinner plastic was used for this particular model. I also miss having an extra "insert" key, which has been replaced by an extra long "delete" key. Another thing I've run into is the "media" key. I have that set to run Winamp, although sometimes I've found that it likes to run Windows Media Player instead. Not sure why that happens. Also, a big quirk as mentioned is the "F-lock" key. It's set to be on by default, meaning what normally would be the function keys are really the alternate uses. You can actually rectify that by downloading a small program ...(It makes a minor modifcation to the registry file so the F-lock is off when you boot, but remember, if you need to do an F8 during a Windows bootup, be sure that the F-lock is ON! Overall, it's not a bad keyboard, yet I've found typing on this slows me down a tad; I was faster on the original Natural keyboard. The Natural Multimedia Keyboard needs to be better made and have a better driver so those programmable keys work all the time, and not just at selective moments.
Rating:
Summary: Adequate, but with limitations
Review: I have been using ergognomic keyboards for 4 years, ever since I developed very mild CTS. The split boards helped keep wrist stress down. I broke my old ergo board, so I bought the MS Natural Multimedia. Like most new boards, it's slathered with new buttons. Use em if you like. I use the multimedia controls for MP3s. My criticisms
(1) The function keys are by default off. This is stupid. There is an F key lock so you can have the Function keys in their proper F mode. Otherwise, they're 'shortcuts.' (2) The biggest problem is the redesign for the Ins/Del, Home/End, PgUp/PgDn keys. It's an awkward layout, and you have to reteach your hand how to use the keys. I still fumble for which key I want and I've been using the board for 3 months. That being said, there are some rather nice features.
(1) The oversized Alt, Ctrl, and Start buttons are wonderful. I've quickly become accustomed to them. (2) The key resistance is quite pleasant. It's not IBM clicky, but it's not soft like those old Mac keyboards. It's a pleasant amount of resistance, and I've had no trouble adjusting to it. My typing speed is almost to normal. (3) The wrist rest is very comfortable. It's designed quite well. At first I was concerned because the center of the board sort of floats, but the wrist rest can support weight well, and this board is built sturdy enough. Overall, I'd say the keyboard is adequate. The change in key locations is my only problem. If you've never used a split keyboard, you should learn to touch type. Trying to hunt and peck on a split board would be a nightmare. You really do need to be an adequate typist to see any benefit from having an ergo board. For casual computer users, stick with standard boards. For me, the comfort of the split board has helped my wrist out quite a bit. I could imagine a better ergo board, but I have yet to find one to my liking.
Rating: 
Summary: its pretty good
Review: i just recieved the natural multimedia keyboard and it works quite well. the IntelliType Pro 2.2 software allows you to customize the top multimedia buttons allowing you to start up your favorite programs at a touch of a button.
the buttons feel nice and solid. i dont like the soft feel ones because it is too sensitive and i keep on pressing keys that i don't intend to press. the keys feel like a Dell Quietkey keyboard (its those white ones, not the stealth black ones which are Dell Enhanced Quitekeys). i like a little resistance in keys so i don't accidentally press keys. the right shift key however, was a little too hard to press so i just popped it out and added some grease and replaced it and now it works just fine. it also didn't take much time to learn how to type on this kind of keyboard than standard keyboards. in addition, like the main goal of this keyboard, i dont feel any more pain in my wrists! the 6 key i don't really care about which side its on (if you are such a good "typist" then you should be able to learn and get used to it!) i got it for a great buy [especially] at the Microsoft Employee Purchase Program!
Rating:
Summary: Takes some adjusting
Review: I love the feel but the functionality takes some getting used to. Also, as has been said in almost every other review, the F-Lock key is a pain. I am a long time computer programmer. The IDE's that I use for software development rely on the function keys for debugging. I can't count how many times I have started to debug and instead opened a new project by accident or perfomed some other "user friendly" task because I didn't hit the F-Lock key. It is still not as bad as some say and the typing flow is very smooth. It just takes some getting used to. There are some registry hacks out on the internet that will map the function keys for Windows 2000, XP and up. I think I may look into one sometime soon.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent keyboard, wonderful multimedia features
Review: I love this keyboard. It takes a bit to get used to from the standard layout but it is worth it. My wrists feel much better also using this keyboard. It was very simple to install and the software is easy to use. Go for it.
| 
