★★★★★ 5
Works for what I need it for
Color: Black
I've been using this type of keyboard for years. I remember back in the late 1990/early 2000s, I was working as a medical transcriptionist and my supervisor at the time was using a "curved" white Microsoft Natural Elite keyboard. I was still using the typical, out-of-the-box, straight keyboard. She gave me hers to try out for a while. At first, I HATED it. My typing speed was terrible, I was pressing every wrong key, etc. But after I got used to it, I realized there was no way I could ever go back to a straight keyboard. Now, all of these years later I'm still working as a medical transcriptionist and have graduated up to the Microsoft 4000. I still have problems using a straight keyboard - in fact, when I'm using my laptop for work I cannot use the laptop keyboard and have to hook up my own keyboard in order to transcribe.
Compared to all of the other "ergo" keyboards out there that I have tried (and I have tried quite a few), this is the best I've found. Now, I have never tried the Kinesis which I hear once you try and actually get used to you will never go back to anything else ever again and that it's the "best of the best." I have thought about trying one of those out, but I just cannot justify the cost. Perhaps if I was suffering from more carpal tunnel symptoms, more wrist pain, etc., I would give it a try, but as of now the Microsoft 4000 works for what I need it for. I am pairing it with an Anker wireless mouse, which took me a while to get used to but now I couldn't function without it! My sister was visiting me a few months ago and she was having a terrible time using my keyboard and mouse just to function on the internet and I then realized how somebody who isn't used to it feels. As I mentioned above, I've been using one of these "curved" split keyboards for nearly 20 years now, so I'm definitely used to it. With this keyboard, my hands feel like they are at a more natural position compared to a regular standard keyboard where they feel to be unnaturally squished close together.
When I worked in-house at a local clinic (I currently work from home), we had occupational therapists come over to evaluate our work stations, etc. I was told I have hyperreflexia and that the best position for this keyboard was to keep the lower bottom "riser" attached and to keep the top legs folded up so that my hands are sloping down from my wrist placement. That is the best position for me, but others may be different.
As I mentioned before, I have used this brand of keyboard for years, though I need replacements every six months or so as I am definitely NOT easy on my keyboards!! I always keep a spare one around which is good as the other day my Diet Coke spilled all over the one I was using. I thought I caught it early enough and got it all drained out, but nope, it was (and still remains) dead. So the spare I keep around does come in handy!!
All in all, this is a great keyboard for those of us who type on a regular basis. My only complaint (and this is not with EVERY Microsoft 4000 I've purchased, only a few) is that there are times when the space bar is a bit sticky. I pound the keys so hard while I'm typing that I generally don't notice this, but I have had a few that I have noticed it on. Otherwise, all keys seem to depress well. The letters on the "common" keys do wear off around four or five months, but that is something I could care less about as I don't ever look at my keyboard when I'm transcribing (though those that attempt to use my keyboard have commented on it)!!
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Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2017


