Microsofts new keyboards...

[Tab]

Comfort Curve 2000

Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Anyone?

 

[Excelsior]

Man, that comfort curve 2000 is pretty cheap. I might pick one of those up

Link to it on Buy.com for $15.

 

[Eureka]

Uh... you know you can click the "Get Prices and Buy" link to the right, rihgt?

Norm

 

[Tab]

Yes, but I'd like a release date...

 

[Excelsior]

lol, you're funny.

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
lol, you're funny.

Opps...

They just put made the 4000 one available, I swear.

If anyone gets one of these let me know how it is.

 

[Excelsior]

haha

I seriously do want the 2000 now. My ibm keyboard has been in use for quite some time now.

 

[Zepper]

When I went to buy.com to check out the CC 2000, I got a "save 10% if you buy now" pop-up. Man, I was almost successfully "marketed" and my sphincter is tingling. :shocked:

.bh.

Here, have a :beer: !

 

[QuantumPion]

I don't know how anyone can type on those weird shaped keyboards...

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: QuantumPion
I don't know how anyone can type on those weird shaped keyboards...

Your wrist aren't perfectly straight, just place them on a counter-type, they do take some getting used too...

I want to try one out before I buy it though, Best Buy still doesn't have them in stock

 

[oogabooga]

looking good might be time to replace my microsoft natural multimedia i've been using for 2.5 years

 

[myrcgarage]

Anybody purchased the 2000 keyboard yet? Are the keys really like notebook style keyboard? Please comment on that since I really like to type on a notebook style keyboard...quiet is the key for me.

 

[Stretchman]

There was a guy on these forums who purchased the MS Natural 4000 through amazon for around 52 dollars. He also gave his thoughts and impressions on it after about a week of use. Can't seem to turn the thread up with the search function, though.

I'm still very interested in it myself, but would rather wait until I can demo it in-store.

 

[severtki]

I'd love to get the ergonomic one for my office -- I think I may get confused because I have the old Natural keyboard. The Home/End/Delete, etc blocks are oriented differently between the two.

Otherwise, I love the wrist comfort!

 

[BlueWeasel]

Is the amount of curve the same for both keyboards? My boss has one of the older ergonomic MS keyboards and I didn't really care for it the little bit I tried using it. However, the 2000 looks appealing.

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Stretchman
There was a guy on these forums who purchased the MS Natural 4000 through amazon for around 52 dollars. He also gave his thoughts and impressions on it after about a week of use. Can't seem to turn the thread up with the search function, though.

I'm still very interested in it myself, but would rather wait until I can demo it in-store.

rolf, that was me. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1698543&enterthread=y

got my 4000 from amazon the end of sept.

i saw the 2000 in stores about a week before the 4000 came into stock at amazon.

virtual hideout did a review of the 4000... http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/microsoft_4000_kb/index.shtml

 

[Stretchman]

Originally posted by: Mday

Originally posted by: Stretchman
There was a guy on these forums who purchased the MS Natural 4000 through amazon for around 52 dollars. He also gave his thoughts and impressions on it after about a week of use. Can't seem to turn the thread up with the search function, though.

I'm still very interested in it myself, but would rather wait until I can demo it in-store.

rolf, that was me. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=30&threadid=1698543&enterthread=y

got my 4000 from amazon the end of sept.

i saw the 2000 in stores about a week before the 4000 came into stock at amazon.

virtual hideout did a review of the 4000... http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/microsoft_4000_kb/index.shtml

Awesome, Dude Glad you found us. I searched for 10 minutes and couldn't find your thread. What is up with that search function anyway.

After using the keyboard for a while, do you have any more thoughts on it? I'm still interested in this keyboard.

 

[Mday]

Originally posted by: Stretchman
Awesome, Dude Glad you found us. I searched for 10 minutes and couldn't find your thread. What is up with that search function anyway.

After using the keyboard for a while, do you have any more thoughts on it? I'm still interested in this keyboard.

It was a few threads down the page, this forum doesnt move that fast lol.

read the virtual hideout review for a full set of features.

I am a touch typer, so the new curve of the rows throws off my pinky and ring finger movements. if you trace a row in a screenshot the "top view" from that VH review, you'll see what i mean.

This keyboard is not perfect, some ppl will find the key presses too soft. But it's better than most out there.

 

[Stretchman]

I am a touch typer,

What is that?

 

[Tu13erhead]

Originally posted by: Stretchman

I am a touch typer,

What is that?

Type without looking.

 

[clarkkent333]

Has anyone tried the new curved layout on the non-ergonomic keyboard? This looks like the most interesting feature.

 

[Subhuman25]

Just bought this Ergo 4000 KB and need help getting the volume control buttons to function.
I've installed the Intellitype software and WinXP Home is fully updated.I'm stumped.I've tried unplugging it and replugging it.Full shutdowns amongst reboots and all that.
They simply do not function!
The most useful extra function of this kb and it doesn't work.I have to say that I'm extremely disappointed in this KB already and 1 nights sleep away from throwing it right back at Circuit City and jumping ship to Logitech's new G-15 possibly.
What really is quite pathetic is that Microsh*t's own fkn hardware can't even function on it's own gdmm software!!!
Vol control via taskbar control still works as before.
Prior to this KB I had another Microsoft Natural Multimedia installed.
If anybody can get my volume contro via KB buttons working I'd appreciate it,otherwise I'll have to rate this KB as total sh*t.I mean how fkg complicated is a KB .... get real Microsh*t!

 

[cjsketchy]

I bought the ergo 4000 as well, I had no issues. Did you install the software first before plugging in the keyboard? That's what it said to do on a little slip in my box.

My overall impression of the keyboard is very good, the keys are definitely on the softer side, but I don't mind. Love typing on it, very comfortable. I hate F-locks on keyboards as well, but at least with this one, the F-lock is ON when windows boots up so I don't have to mess with it.

 

[Subhuman25]

Originally posted by: cjsketchy
I bought the ergo 4000 as well, I had no issues. Did you install the software first before plugging in the keyboard? That's what it said to do on a little slip in my box.

My overall impression of the keyboard is very good, the keys are definitely on the softer side, but I don't mind. Love typing on it, very comfortable. I hate F-locks on keyboards as well, but at least with this one, the F-lock is ON when windows boots up so I don't have to mess with it.

Yes,at 1st I did install KB prior to software then I noticed the instructions(I know I know)
Anyways,I uninstalled everything and reinstalled in proper order.As far as other programs hijacking the colume control,I highly doubt that since all I use is WMP10 and my prior MS Natural KB's(all with MM controls also) work just fine.It is only this particular KB's volume control that does not function.
I'm back on my prior one after also installing my one prior to this to test it out.ALl is well with the other KB's.So that definitely points to this KB being the culprit and/or the intellitype software.
Doesn't matter anyways since after I send this message I'm off to CC to return this thing.It doesn't impress me much at all.In fact I have to say I prefer typing on my current KB more.Only things the 4000 appeals more in are the palm rest and color scheme.I did not like the curvature,key sizes(esp the tiny ENTER key and SHIFT keys),the function lights being up front instead of my field of view up top where they belong.
So MS has taken 2 steps forward and several steps backwards with this KB.
Time to refund it now ... hasta

 

[Mday]

re the "non split" curved keyboards:
I "tested" it in the stores, I didnt like it. The elongated keys threw me off.

re installing the software on the 4000 before installation
You don't have to do that for the keyboard to work. you will need it for the advanced features (most of the extra buttons, and the zoom fxn). The back\forward buttons, search, IE, email and volume buttons worked straight out of the box with win2k and winxp without any 3rd party software.

--

the single line enter key is the type i get. I do not like a missplaced \ or even the larger enter key. I never use the lights anyway. I can tell if I have caps lock down lol.