The Cadillac of Keyboards
Written: Jun 01 '01 (Updated Jun 01 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Sturdy keyboard with extras like programmable hot keys and 2 USB ports.
Cons: Can't think of a single one.
The Bottom Line: Sturdy, long life keyboard with extras like programmable hot keys and 2 USB ports. The best ergonomic board out there!
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| thessa's Full Review: Microsoft Natural Pro (B61-00002) Keyboard |
Before my current position, I worked as a medical transcriptionist (MT) for 10 years. MTs are heavy keyboard users and typically spend 8+ hours daily transcribing medical dictation. As a result of my heavy keyboard use, I would go through a keyboard at a rate of at least one a year, sometimes as little as 3-6 months. Each time I would try a different brand, and over the course of time I tried every single ergo keyboard (PC Concepts, Logitech and others) that can be purchased at a store like BestBuy.
The very last keyboard I purchased was the Microsoft Natural Pro, and it was the last because I never had to replace it. It has lasted years, which is vastly longer than all of the other brands lasted. I still use the keyboard at home, though I no longer transcribe.
When I started in an office, I had them order me the Microsoft Natural Pro again. Once again, I have experienced no problems with it, and it has lasted for almost a year already.
The Microsoft Natural Pro comes with a CD with software to install. There are programmable "hotkeys" along the top of the keyboard. Some are labeled for Internet navigation (back, forward, stop, refresh, home, etc.), and some are used for playing media on your computer (volume, play/pause, stop, prev track, next track, etc.). Off to the side are three more hotkeys for My Computer, Calculator and Sleep.
It takes some time getting used to using the hotkeys for navigation on the net, but I've found I like it much better. It's faster because it doesn't take my hands away from the computer to reach for the mouse. I also have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and find that prolonged use of the mouse aggravates my CTS whereas it is much less affected by navigating with the hotkeys.
What do the keys themselves feel like? That's always a hard thing to describe because what feels like a light touch to one person invariably feels like a heavy one to another. As keyboards go, I find this one has what I consider to be a light touch. I've heard this same comment from others who use this keyboard. Any keyboard is going to have a different feel than what you're used to at first, so give yourself some time to adjust.
USB Feature
Thanks to another Epinion writer, I was delighted to discover there are two USB ports on the back of the keyboard. The cord that comes with the keyboard has two ends - one a USB and one the traditional keyboard plug. The keyboard will work fine without plugging in the USB connector, but you must plug the USB connector in to use the USB ports on the back of the keyboard.
The instructions say that you can only use a low-powered USB device in the back of the keyboard (they give the example of a mouse). I plugged in my USB Palm Hotsync cradle and figured it probably wouldn't work, but was happy to find it worked just fine.
Other things to think about when comparing Ergo keyboards
If you're in the market for an ergonomic keyboard, there are a couple things you'll want to know:
- Some ergonomic keyboards (or "split" keyboards) have the number 6 key on the left side of the split, and some on the right. Depending on the method with which you learned to type as well as your adaptability, this could be a deciding factor for you. The 6 key is on the left on the Microsoft Natural Pro. Function keys F1 through F5 are also on the left.
- Most ergonomic keyboards are simply split down the middle, with the keys angled inwards, causing your elbows to stick out at a more natural position as you type. The Microsoft Natural Pro, however, has an added feature that you may or may not find useful: it also has a vertical "wave" to it. It's not flat like a regular keyboard, but follows a more natural vertical curve.
- When you flip an ergonomic keyboard over, most - if not all - have feet that can be flipped up to adjust the height and angle of the keyboard. Some have the feet on the front (called a "negative tilt" keyboard because it tilts downward away from you when you type), and some have the feet on the back, and some have both. The Microsoft Natural Pro has them only on the back. You'll have to find what is most comfortable for you. I thought it would bother me at first not to have a negative tilt (I was concerned about hyperextension), but I've found my wrists are really quite straight/neutral as I type.
If you're trying this as your first ergo board...
Give yourself a LOT of time to get used to it. I was frustrated to death with the first ergo board I bought and returned it to the store after just a few hours of use. Much later I purchased the same ergo board (this one) after hearing other MTs rave about how much they loved it. After a few days, I loved it, too.
If you are in an office setting with traditional keyboards, expect you will become quite adept at switching back and forth between the two designs as you sit at various computers. Otherwise, expect it to take a similar period of adjustment if you ever need to go back to a traditional keyboard.
Give yourself several days to adjust. It's definitely worth it.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 60-80
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Epinions.com ID:
thessa
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Location: Atlanta, GA
Reviews written: 41
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
Calling it quits on Epinions, for now, at least.
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