Introduction
We checked out a mouse/keyboard kit about a week ago and today we have another keyboard from Microsoft. I have always been a fan of the natural keyboards and was sad to see when Microsoft released the less natural keyboard, but boy was I wrong. Awhile back they released this Ergonomic keyboard 4000 that seems to be a follow up to the older natural keyboards out there. I’m actually still testing it as we speak and I’m typing the review on it to get a final opinion so I would recomend you to check out this review if you are on the market for a new keyboard.
About Microsoft:
Microsoft.com homepage
Specifications:
Zoom in and out
Get a closer look�zoom in quickly and accurately with the intuitive Zoom Slider.
Enjoy one-touch functionality
Perform common tasks, like opening documents and replying to e-mail, with the touch of a button.
Type in a more natural position
You spend a lot of time in front of your computer. In fact, the only thing you touch more often than your mouse and keyboard is your pillow. Microsoft offers some the most comfortable hardware available.
Improved Number Pad
Commonly used symbols such as equal sign, left and right parentheses and “Backspace” are in quick reach, just above the number pad.
Access the Internet more easily
With the touch of a button you can quickly access the Internet.
Additional Features:
My Favorites Keys
E-mail and Internet Hot Keys
MultiMedia Keys
Lockable F Keys
Integrated Palm Rest
Cutting-Edge Design
The product:
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
The box is the standard Microsoft package with their logo and the colors red and white. On the top you have a big print of the keyboard itself so you can see the new features. On the back they explain the button layout and all the new buttons.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
Inside I found a manual and a cd with software so you can setup the special keys on this keyboard. I found something odd though since there is no Ps2 adapter so that means you have to have an empty USB port in your computer. The color scheme of the keyboard is silver and black which go together very well. Lets now take a closer look on the keyboard layout.
Please click on thumbnails to get bigger pictures
From the left side you got the Web/Home, Search, and Mail buttons for easy internet navigation. In the middle you have a “My favorites” button which shows you your favorite list and above that you have buttons so you can set up your five favorite websites for easy and fast access. Something very nice is the Zoom button in between the split part of the keyboard. This makes viewing images alot easier. The numbers six and seven have rounded edges to make it looks fancy although I like the traditional look better.
The next top button section controls your volume, mute, and play/pause so you can change volume in games or just change settings without a mouse. The final top button is the quick access button for the calculator and it’s placed alone on the right side as you don’t use this one as much as the others.
I have found something to be very annoying on this keyboard though while typing and if you take a look at the letters “V,B,N,M” the space key is mounted right below them. The problem here is that the space key is as high up as the letters we are talking about so with my typing style I use my thumbs for these letters and I push down the spacebar also when typing any of these letters. A solution for this would be to have lowered the spacebar or just ronded the edge by the letter keys.
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