Rating: 
Summary: Comfortable, but horrible layout
Review: As a programmer, I can't stand that they changed the layout of the center row (ins, del, pgup, pgdn), slowing me down considerably, as well as the arrow keys (too small & awkward).NOT recommended if you have to switch between keyboards (at home/work).
Rating:
Summary: Comfortable, but horrible layout
Review: As a programmer, I can't stand that they changed the layout of the center row (ins, del, pgup, pgdn), slowing me down considerably, as well as the arrow keys (too small & awkward). NOT recommended if you have to switch between keyboards (at home/work).
Rating: 
Summary: Keys poorly laid out and miniature in size
Review: As with several other people who have shared their thoughts on this product, I must say that I absolutely hate it because of the tiny arrow, page up/down, home, insert, delete, and end keys. Pretty much the entire right section of the keyboard requires me to glance off the screen and look at the keyboard before typing.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Keyboard
Review: Despite complaints from other reviewers, I have to say that this keyboard is just as easy to use as the old-fashioned square layout keyboards. It indeed does take a few days to get used to, but after that you'll love it. And it's so much more comfortable to type on than a regular keyboard! You'll notice that much right away. If this were a quiet touch keyboard, it'd be PERFECT. Though they keys aren't exactly loud - they're queter than the ones on my Logitech and Memorex keyboards!
Rating:
Summary: Once you get used to it, you'll never go back
Review: Getting used to this keyboard takes a while. But, once you get used to it, you'll never use another keyboard again. This keyboard is also best used with the 3M ergonomic keyboard wrist wrest (model WR314MB).
Rating:
Summary: Typing for many years.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Product!!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Why does Microsoft break standards?
Review: I am a programmer, and I touch type my code. I navigate through pages of text using only the keyboard. Switching to a split keyboard design was not difficult since I touch type anyway. I love the split keyboard part of the design--the old Microsoft Natural Pro keyboard has a great design, and works well for me. I've used other split ("ergonomic") keyboards as well.
However, on the Natural Keyboard Elite, Microsoft has taken the standard arrow key and navigation key clusters and ruined them. The arrow keys are much more difficult to use than the standard, well-designed inverted T layout. While your fingers rested comfortably on the bottom row of arrow keys in the old layout, in the new your fingers don't really fit at all--you can only put two fingers on at once, and you need to move them in awkward ways to switch to the up and down keys from the left and right keys. Ergonomic it is not. Aerodynamic, maybe--after a short time using this keyboard, I certainly feel like throwing it somewhere to find out. Also, the "Insert" key has been removed entirely from the block above the arrow keys after they pointlessly randomized its layout. Insert isn't a super-popular key, but I actually use it frequently, and my fingers expect the entire block to be in the traditional layout.
Why break the standard? Why move the keys around into a LESS useful layout? If you're like me and you end up typing on lots of different keyboards, AND you use the arrow keys a lot to navigate, it turns out to be quite painful to switch back and forth between the different layouts. And some of the keys I use frequently just aren't there.
Bad move Microsoft. Please don't change things "just because you can."
Rating:
Summary: Love this Keyboard
Review: I am sitting here in my office writing on this keyboard! I have one at home also. In fact I cannot use the one at home any more, much to my sorrow, because I bought a MAC. That's another story. It takes about three weeks to really get used to this keyboard, then the Elite is the greatest thing you can type on, and you will want never to be without it. There are not enough ergonomic keyboards on the market. You can get it with a touch pad if you prefer. LOVE IT! Used it now for about four years - work and home.
Rating:
Summary: Good for wrists, not so good for wallet
Review: 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.
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