Rating: Summary: Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite Review: I've used a Microsoft split keyboard for several years. I currently have the newer version (the lower cost one without the fancy buttons on the top row) which replaced my original [$$$] one, which was damaged by spilled soda. I can honestly say that these keyboards are more comfortable and create less stress for aching hands and wrists. These keyboards are also good for men that have large hands and have trouble with the cramped space and twisted wrists that result when using standard keyboards. I've had surgery on both hands/wrists for carpel tunnel syndrone, which gave some relief from the pain of keyboarding and musical instrument playing. The key to managing carpel tunnel pain from computer use is frequent breaks between typing, ensuring proper posture, and hand streching excercises. These split keyboards can also help.
Rating: Summary: Only keyboard I can use1 Review: I've used this keyboard for eight years - It's the only kind I like. I have problems when typing on any other kind. Saves strains on the wrists; never any discomfort. It's time for a new one. Purchasing exact same model. Love it
Rating: Summary: Make life easier Review: I've worked on computers many years and typewriters before that. I have carpal tunnel and, when I discovered this Microsoft erogonomic keyboard, I was ecstatic. It took a little getting used to because it is quite different than a normal keyboard. Now, even with the carpal tunnel, I find I have become so used to it that I can stay on it a lot longer than I did on the old keyboard models. I love it. The builtin wrist rest is a great help along with being able to change the angle of the keyboard by using the little legs. I would recommend it to anyone who has to type a lot so they don't get carpal tunnel. I have used mine for 3 years now and am just ordering another so I'll be sure to have one if something happens to this one. I would hate to not be able to get this particlar model. So, I am sort of stocking up, you might say, just in case. Then it would be my luck not to be able to find it when I need a new one. I'm on the computer 10-12 hr a day, so that should tell you something...it has received plenty of use...and not a problem with it yet. Get one and see for yourself. You will wonder why you waited so long.
Rating: Summary: Comfortable, but unnatural placement of some keys Review: I, too, find Microsoft's re-arrangment of the Ins/Del set of keys as well as the arrow keys unfathomable. Hmm, maybe the geniuses at Sony designed this one. :) In any case, this is a comfortable keyboard, and affordable, and I would continue using mine despite the stupid key placements. The multimedia version if a little better, at least with the inverted T keys. BTW the pro version is discontinued.
Rating: Summary: Wish I'd read these reviews before buying the Elite Review: If you only occasionally type, or you're a hunt-and-peck typist, then this keyboard would be an excellent choice for you. The split keyboard takes some getting used to if you've never used one before, but once you have, you'll never want to go back to the regular square model. The keys on this keyboard are perfectly shaped to cradle your fingers, and the space bar works effortlessly without having to pound your thumb. The touch is light and wonderful, enabling you to type faster and easier than ever before. But, if you are familiar with a keyboard and are a touch-typist, then you'll be greatly disappointed and/or frustrated with this Natural Keyboard Elite. I agree with the other negative reviews regarding the smaller size and changed arrangement of the Insert/Home keys, and the smaller squished-together arrow keys. To paraphrase a saying, they shouldn't have fixed something that ain't broke. I use my keyboard 8 hours a day in my occupation as a medical transcriptionist. I've been typing/keyboarding for 30+ years and my fingers know where the keys are supposed to be even if I can't remember. So it is a great nuisance to have to constantly look down away from the monitor to see what key my finger is trying to reach. I keep hitting the Home key when I intend to hit the Insert key, because that's the place the Insert key is supposed to be. The newly sized and arranged directional arrows are impossible to correctly hit without first hitting every other key around them. It's been mentioned in prior reviews that the keyboard I'm looking for is the Natural Pro, so I guess I'll need to go for a "test drive" of that one. And I'll be sure to bring along a map of the key placement I know and love so I won't make this mistake again.
Rating: Summary: Evil key layout! Review: My experience parallels a previous review. I also used the older Microsoft Natural keyboard (now the Natural Pro) and it relieved my persistent pain. When I accidentally killed my keyboard, I ordered the Elite model without thinking. Within a few days I was desperate enough to go back to a conventional keyboard. The arrangement of the Home/Page Up/Page Dn/End/Delete/Insert and arrow keys may allow the keyboard to fit in trays, but otherwise it is insane. I never realized how much I use those keys until I was swearing at this keyboard. The arrows keys are nearly impossible to use, especially for gaming. Unless you truly need the keyboard to fit in a tray, please stay away from this annoying, frustrating, and unusable keyboard.
Rating: Summary: a good time saver. Review: Really all this thing is good for is to save typing time for PS2 online games like Everquest Online, SOCOM, and so on, trust me, you NEED this if you have any online games.
Rating: Summary: Just fine for touch typists and hunt-n-peck Review: Takes just a little getting used to, but then you'll want one on every computer you use. I have two keyboards at work and one at home. I type about 60wpm and this does not slow me down at all. Going back to a "regular" keyboard does requires a little re-adjustment time to get speed back up. For me, the "outward" placement of the arms caused by this arrangement is much more comfortable than having them closer to parallel. No more discomfort from a day spent keyboarding. All of mine are made in Mexico.
Rating: Summary: Does not qualify to be called an ergonomic keyboard Review: The arrow keys are way too small and have non-standard placement. The function keys and the home, end, pageup, pagedown keys are also much smaller. I find it extremely difficult to use these keys. Of course, the split keys are OK. Personally, my opinion is, if this keyboard makes any operation more difficult than my regular keyboard, then it doesn't qualify as an ergonomic keyboard. I don't see any point in spending more money to end up with a degraded experience.
Rating: Summary: broke in less than 6 months Review: the darn thing just quit working entirely- very cheaply made apparently- what a disapointment!
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