Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

Available in both English and French Canadian layouts, the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard bears design similarities to the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, retaining the gull-wing design that orients keys at varying angles, from a maximum 14° tent in the middle to a traditional "flat" or 0° by the time the outer alpha keys are reached. The left and right key groups are also splayed slightly outward to encourage a nominally more neutral alignment of the wrists. An unusually deep 4" palm rest is permanently affixed to the keyboard. This palm rest offers improved cushioning and presents a deeper and flatter profile than that on the Natural 4000, helping to reduce wrist extension. However, unlike the pad on the Natural 4000, the surface of the palm pad on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard is permeable. As a result it cannot be cleaned in the same manner as the leather-like pads on the Natural 4000.'

The minimum key height on this keyboard is 0.75" off the surface on which the keyboard is placed (1.75" on the keys in the middle of the keyboard). This elevation may require individuals to either raise their seats to accommodate the height of the keyboard or to use a keyboard tray to lower the keyboard into their lap. The keyboard also includes a detachable palm lift that can be used to raise the front to create negative slope intended to encourage better wrist alignment. Use of this lifter may require further adjustments of seat or keyboard tray height because it adds almost a full inch of elevation to the middle of the keyboard and increases the risk of a "pinch point" being created on the underside of the wrists.

Please Note: Those familiar with the earlier Microsoft Natural 4000 Ergonomic Keyboard may find that the key action on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard is significantly different that what they have experienced in the past. While the Natural 4000 developed a reputation for its crisp and consistent key response, this successor fails in that regard. Key response is less distinct, requiring more sustained force, and varies at random across the keyboard, with even directly adjacent keys having noticeably different "feel". The bottom row of keys (CTRL-ALT-EMOJI KEY etc.) is approximately 300% higher force than the letter keys just above this row. Due to this variance across the keys serious touch typists may find themselves with dropped keystrokes or that they are required to exert greater levels of force in order to ensure consistent typing, potentially resulting in tissue fatigue and damage to the fingers and hands.

• Preset Fixed "Splay": The keys are arranged with a limited preset degree of splay to help reduce ulnar deviation.
• Partially "Tented" Gull Wing Design: The keycaps transition from an approximately 14° angle on the innermost column down to 0° of tent on the outermost column of keys.
• Removable Riser (attaches below the palm supports): Elevates the front edge of the keyboard to create "negative inclination". (see notes in Usage Tips)
  NOTE: The palm support itself is NOT removable.
• Visual Indicators: Indicator lights for Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock are integrated into the upper right corner of these keys. Indicator status can be managed using the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center APP for Windows 10.
• Fixed Palm Supports: The Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard incorporates a fairly deep (4" at the center) lightly padded and almost-level palm support. The almost-flat design is an improvement as it reduced potential for Wrist Extension.
  Note: However, for those who might have experience with the earlier Natural Ergo 4000 keyboard there are a couple of key differences that need to be noted.1. This palm support is about 0.75" Deeper than that on the Natural 4000, which means that the keys themselves will be 0.75" further away. Those of smaller stature or who have shorter forearms may find this to be a concern.2. The cushioned support on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, while actually having a higher degree of cushioning and actually being more comfortable than that on the Natural Ergo 4000, is of a permeable material that will over time absorb skin oils or anything else that comes in contact with it. This is in contrast with the palm support on the Natural Ergo 4000 that was of a leather-like material that could be quite easily cleaned.
• Web, Search, Email, Favourite Programs, Calculator & Multi-Media Controls: The top of the keyboard includes one-touch keys to give quick access to common functions. Actions can be customized using the Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center APP for Windows 10.
• Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center APP: The downloadable APP can be installed in Windows 10 to let individuals customize the actions activated by the upper one-touch keys.
• Dedicated "Emoji" Key: For those who want to express themselves visually there is a dedicated Emoji key that brings up the Windows 10 Emoji Interface.
• French Canadian Layout Available: The Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard is available in both the standard US English Layout as well as a French Canadian option (LXN-0002)

• Width: 19.2" (48.8 cm)
• Depth (front-to-back): 10.3" (26.2 cm)
• Height:
  Keyboard - 2.2" (6.4) cm)
  Keyboard with Riser Installed - 3.0" (7.6 cm)
• Weight: 36.0 oz (1.02 kg)
• Cable Length: 70" (180 cm)
• Interface: USB 2.0, Type-A
• Keyswitch Type: Membrane
• Hot Key Functions: Favorite keys (1/2/3), media keys (Mute/Vol+/Vol-/Music/Previous Track, Play/Pause/Next Track), Calculator, Snipping, TaskView, SysLock, Search. Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center APP Customizable features: Favorite keys reassignment; media keys reassignment; LED indicator management (NumLk, Caps Lk, ScrollLk); Enable/Disable Application key; Emoji key reassignment (can only be assigned to Application key)
• Compatibility: WINDOWS 10. Limited compatibility: WINDOWS 7, 8.1 (Office and Emoji keys have no function)
• Colour: Black
  
  
• Warranty: 1 Year - Manufacturer direct only. Please call 1-800-360-7561 for all warranty inquiries.
• Package Contents: Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Keyboard Riser, Documentation Guide

• If you have prior experience with the Microsoft Natural 4000 Keyboard you do need to be aware that there are significant differences between that keyboard and Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard. At first glance they appear to be quite similar and this is correct to a degree. The overall ergonomic design of remains quite similar, but there are significant difference in the placement of the Function keys as well as the absence of access to "alternate" function for these keys. However, the most significant difference relates directly to the most important purpose of a keyboard, typing. The membrane keys on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard offer a lower "tactility" than those on the Natural 4000. As a result, those with experience on the Natural 4000 may feel that the keys on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard are "mushy" by comparison. That is not to say that they do not offer a tactile response, but rather that the tactility is "delayed" to later in the keystroke. There also appears to be an ongoing higher degree of resistance "after" the key is activated than on the Natural 4000, meaning that most typists will be exerting a significantly higher level of effort than on the earlier model.
• The Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard also generates slightly less sound than the Natural 4000 but this may be due to the presence of an ongoing higher level of resistance towards the end of the keystroke. This will force the fingers to slow down, but that at the same time will result in most typists exerting an unnecessarily high level of sustained force to be confident that the key has activated. Over time that demand for ongoing higher levels of force to be exerted may well develop into RSI.
• Even more noticeable on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard is that there is not a consistent "feel" across all keys. Even between even adjacent keys there can be a significant change. For serious typists this inconsistency will most likely lead to dropped keystrokes, greater force being exerted to activate "all" keys to ensure key activations, or a combination of both issues. While the Natural 4000 keyboard was known for the consistency of the key activations across the entire keyboard the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, despite its similar appearance, will not live up to its predecessor.
• Caution should be exercised when using the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard with a mouse placed on the right side of the keyboard. The rather significant width of this keyboard (11" from the home row "J" to the right edge of the keyboard) requires a noticeably greater reach to the right than many other full-size keyboards. For the majority of typists this will result in "over-reaching" outside of the Comfort Zone.
  Learn More About the Risks Associated with Over-Reaching.
• A common complaint about the now-discontinued Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 was that activation of the spacebar could be somewhat stiff or "sticky". This action has been noticeably improved on the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard with the spacebar now activating smoothly across the entire width.
• The rather significant 4" depth of the permanently affixed palm rest can potentially move this keyboard too far away from those of smaller build, forcing them to "reach forward" to access the keys. This can put unnecessary strain on the shoulders as the arms are no longer able to hang in a neutral position with the elbows below the shoulders.
• The detachable "lift" that is included with this keyboard creates a negative slope that is generally considered a desirable feature. However this can be a potential concern because it elevates the front edge of the keyboard. Because the front of the keyboard is now elevated the edge of the keyboard palm rest may come in contact with the wrists, creating a potential pinch point. The only ways to address this are by either elevating the chair to compensate for this increase in height (which may request additional adjustments to the workstation) or by lowering the keyboard tray (if used) to where it is sitting directly on the lap. However, this does not address that fact that a height differential will now exist between keyboard and mouse, a factor that should be considered when deciding whether this is a suitable keyboard. Installing the lift accessory will now have individuals reaching "up and down" as well as potentially too far to the right whenever transitioning between mouse and keyboard.
• Unlike other "tenting" keyboards that have all the keys angled at the same degree, the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard actually forces the hand to adopt an unnatural "backwards" bend. This is due to the fact that in order for the fingers to be properly positioned on the inclined keys at the middle of the keyboard as well as the "flat" keys to the outside of the keyboard the hand is effectively curved "backwards". Not all typists may encounter issues with this but it is most likely that a percentage will experience a degree of discomfort - although they may not identify the underlying reason.