| | |  | Home Business Software | Home » » Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite | | | | | | | Description: | | Stay comfortable and work longer with the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. The split, gently sloped shape of this keyboard allows you to type with a more natural hand, wrist, and forearm position. The ergonomic design helps to prevent poor posture and fatigue, so you can work longer at your computer. At the same time, enhanced F-key commands and a multimedia center give you more control over how your system works, enabling you to tailor your keyboard to match your needs. | | | Features: | |
• Keyboard features ergonomic design for comfort
• Multimedia controls for easy access to music and video files
• Enhanced F-key commands for customizable shortcuts
• Connects to PC via USB or PS/2 ports
• Attractive white finish
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 18.0 inches | | Product Width:
| 8.0 inches | | Product Height:
| 2.2 inches | | Product Weight:
| 4.0 pounds | | Package Length:
| 19.5 inches | | Package Width:
| 9.7 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.6 inches | | Package Weight:
| 2.9 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 393 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 393 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
82 of 83 found the following review helpful:
 My Favorite KeyboardJun 15, 2010
By Justin L. Force
"Professional Geek"
I work in IT, so I get to try A LOT of different keyboards. This is, by far, the best keyboard that I have ever had. I got my first Microsoft Natural Elite about 10 years ago and am only now replacing it because I took it apart to clean it and lost the screws. These things last and last. It got a little louder as it aged, but other than that (and being filthy), it was as good as the day I bought it before I disassembled it.
When I first purchased this keyboard, I immediately picked up about 10 words per minute. I type fast (average around 100 words per minute), and I attribute a lot of that to using a comfortable keyboard.
I code a lot and I email a lot, and I can type on this thing for hours without any wrist or hand strain. The only real drawback is that it's ruined other keyboards for me. When I use a standard straight keyboard, I'm now much more aware of just how awkward and uncomfortable it is. When I use any Apple keyboard, for example, my wrists hurt and my hands cramp after a few minutes.
I recommend this keyboard to anybody for whom comfort is a priority. You cannot beat a split ergonomic keyboard. There may be a bit of a learning curve for non touch typists, but the benefit to your body is well worth the investment.
A final note: I prefer this keyboard over the larger "pro" models because I don't need or like the extra keys for multimedia, etc. and this one is a bit smaller. Also, be advised that they Home/End/Delete/Page Up/Page Down/Insert keys and the arrow keys are not arranged in the standard way. I use all of these keys a lot, but the different placement has never been a problem for me.
66 of 68 found the following review helpful:
Keeps your wrists straightMar 06, 2004
By The Old Philosopher
"The Old Philosopher"
I've been using my Microsoft keyboard for about 4 years now. I'm a fairly wide guy, and when I put my hands together, the arms are pointed in from the shoulders. If I'm using a regular keyboard my wrists have to bend outward from my arms to make my hands line up with the keys. Using the Microsoft keyboard, my wrists are more straight so long use doesn't tire them out. It also is supposed to reduce carpal tunnel syndrome where the tendons would have to bend through a bent wrist to work the fingers. The keyboard has all the regular keys laid out fairly well. It only takes a few minutes getting used to the split board. The cursor moving arrows and special function keys are in groups between the letters and number pad, which works well. One thing that seems strange is that the upper row, the numbers, are split between 6 and 7, instead of between 5 and 6. That's because there are the dashes and such on the right of that row. Seems strange though sometimes. You get used to it pretty quick. The wrist pad extension seems good too.
96 of 105 found the following review helpful:
 Problematic Key ConfigurationMay 21, 2002
By A Software Engineer
I used an older Microsoft Natural keyboard for over five years, and it was excellent. By comparison, conventional keyboards are an occupational hazard. Unfortunately, I broke it while cleaning it, and I had to buy a new one. I picked up the Elite model without looking too closely ... but soon after I started using it, I was cursing under my breath ... because of the arrangement of the Home/Page Up/Page Dn/End/Delete/Insert and arrow keys. They've lost the inverted-T configuration used with the older Natural keyboard. Also, these keys are now half-sized, and therefore harder to hit. These may seem like minor quibbles to some of you -- but they preclude the possibility of hitting these keys without looking at them. This inability is detrimental to any serious touch-typist. I'm a full time IT professional, and as far as I'm concerned, this keyboard is unusable. (My suspicious mind guesses that Microsoft used this bogus configuration to push us to pay for the upscale Pro model, which has the correct key configuration.)
104 of 117 found the following review helpful:
Good for wrists, not so good for walletOct 28, 2004
By edfan
"edfan"
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.
21 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Typing for many years.Nov 28, 2003
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.
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