1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

News Microsoft revives the Natural Keyboard family with new Ergonomic Keyboard

Discussion in 'Article Discussion' started by bit-tech, 4 Oct 2019.

  1. bit-tech

    bit-tech Supreme Overlord Lover of bit-tech Administrator

    Joined:
    12 Mar 2001
    Posts:
    3,676
    Likes Received:
    138
    Read more
     
    bit-tech, 4 Oct 2019
    #1
  2. Chicken76

    Chicken76 Minimodder

    Joined:
    10 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    952
    Likes Received:
    32
    Great article Gareth!
    I wonder if this will work at all in Linux.
     
    Chicken76, 4 Oct 2019
    #2
  3. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,129
    Likes Received:
    6,717
    Should do, but you might have to fiddle a bit to remap some of the special keys to do anything useful.

    I used to love my original Microsoft Natural, but I dunno if I could go back to non-mechanical switches now...
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 4 Oct 2019
    #3
  4. Chicken76

    Chicken76 Minimodder

    Joined:
    10 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    952
    Likes Received:
    32
    OK, so it's only the special keys that require software.
    Haven't had the chance to try mechanical switches. Do you find them that much better?
    Natural keyboards bring back such sweet memories from two decades ago...
     
    Chicken76, 4 Oct 2019
    #4
  5. Gareth Halfacree

    Gareth Halfacree WIIGII! Lover of bit-tech Administrator Super Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    4 Dec 2007
    Posts:
    17,129
    Likes Received:
    6,717
    I really do, though I know not everyone does - I know some people who genuinely prefer short-travel laptop-style keys, which is just... no.

    Mind you, I'm currently using an IBM Model F with buckling springs...
     
    Gareth Halfacree, 4 Oct 2019
    #5
  6. Osgeld

    Osgeld Minimodder

    Joined:
    9 Jul 2019
    Posts:
    319
    Likes Received:
    100
    I am sure this thing has its fans, but the only people I ever saw using them were middle manager types with their LCD screens set to 800x600 cause 1024x768 was too hard to read and they were too dumb to change the font size
     
    Osgeld, 4 Oct 2019
    #6
  7. Dogbert666

    Dogbert666 *Fewer Lover of bit-tech Administrator

    Joined:
    17 Jan 2010
    Posts:
    1,678
    Likes Received:
    181
     
    Dogbert666, 4 Oct 2019
    #7
    Gareth Halfacree likes this.
  8. The_Pope

    The_Pope Geoff Richards Super Moderator

    Joined:
    3 Jul 2003
    Posts:
    3,059
    Likes Received:
    183
    I've been an MS Ergonomic 4000 guy (work and home) for 15 years. Didn't get on with the Sculpt (despite dreaming of a laptop-key-ergo board for years). Not sure what happened there.

    I'm interested in this new model, and since I work around the corner from the new Microsoft Store @ Oxford Circus, I'll pop in for a test drive once the UK launch happens (can't be doing with US half-height Enter Key; oh balls, that's what they did to the Sculpt...)
     
    The_Pope, 5 Oct 2019
    #8
  9. Spanky

    Spanky Multimodder

    Joined:
    14 Apr 2010
    Posts:
    1,093
    Likes Received:
    301
    Been using the 4000 for over 12 years. Been a great keyboard. This will definitely been on the shopping list on release.
     
    Spanky, 8 Oct 2019
    #9
Tags: Add Tags

Share This Page