This keyboard is exceptional, even for those who are not accustomed to using curved keyboards, Natural keyboards. After a few days of use, you will be used and will type like a true small typist :)
The 4000 Natural materials of very good quality. The wrist rest is fantastic and the key layout is ideal. The keys are comfortable to press, even the dull and unobtrusive sound is perfect.
Functionality level, a large number of customizable buttons are available: Help, Undo, Redo, New, Open, Close, Reply, Forward, Send, Spell, Save, Print ... you can reassign the use of these keys n ' any function. These keys are in fact the function keys (F1 to F12), you switch through another button, Lock Function similar CAPS Lock (Lock capitalized), Num Lock (Lock the keypad) and Scroll Lock ( stop scrolling). Four lights judiciously placed under the large space bar shows you the status of these functions.
There are also large gray buttons at the top of the keyboard to access popular features: Web / Home, Search, Mail, five favorites buttons (completely customizable as all the special keys on the keyboard), muting, two setting volume keys, Play / Pause (your media favorite program, Media Player, Winamp, ...) and the calculator button.
Above the keypad, following function keys, four new handy buttons: equal, open and close parentheses and reverse (backslash, which is doubled for already present above the Enter key as on all keyboards ).
The arrow keys are well placed between the alpha keys and the numeric keypad: left arrow, down arrow, right arrow and top of the down arrow, up arrow.
Above, the keys Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Down, Page Up are arranged lengthwise on 2 lines (not as high on some keyboards, which jostles habits).
Finally, between the space key and green lights, 2 new gray keys: Back and Next. Very practical, even if they are not too accessible inches, they allow quick navigation on browsers or file explorers (in addition to keys similar to certain mouse).
The design is beautiful, a beautiful black dress embellished with some gray accents look great. The keyboard is surprisingly light, very balanced, but seems robust. We'll see with use, but can be trusted to Microsoft keyboards (my Pro Natural white still works fine).
The keyboard is usable in multiple directions depending on your usage thanks to two top-breeders on the keyboard just pull it after turning the keyboard. A spectacular enhancer that directs the keyboard in the other direction (the top of the keyboard is lower than the bottom of the keyboard) is also provided. But I was not yet convinced by this recommended by Microsoft orientation ... up to you :)
The connection is done exclusively via USB. On older keyboards, two USB and PS2 were provided. Maybe the functionality of the keyboard could not be exploited by a simple PS2 connector. Still, it makes a USB connector and less, and no USB hub is proposed on the keyboard. Too bad.
The software provided with (IntelliType Pro 5.5 also downloaded from the Microsoft website) is impeccable and adjusts the keyboard to your convenience. Much better than the Logitech drivers (I use as an MX Revolution mouse). The software is fast, simple, complete and fully integrated with the Windows environment (I have not tested this keyboard on other operating systems).
In fact the real drawback of this keyboard is only the fact that it is not wireless. But honestly, for a keyboard, is it really useful? For a mouse, I do not dispute the interest of wireless by cons.
I would have also liked to have a small backlit LCD display as the high-end Logitech. OK, that's gadget, very pro-geek, but it's nice and perhaps very convenient to display additional information outside of the screen.
Microsoft could also include a small USB hub, see why not, a multi-card reader. Or fingerprint reader (but there separately for thirty euros).
Finally the price, 40.40 Euros (best price I found on the net), is really cheap compared to the quality of material. Never make the mistake of neglecting the budget of your computer input devices: keyboard, mouse, possibly the fingerprint reader ... this is your interface with your computer, their use, affected should be as comfortable as possible. And your keyboard, there is no hesitation, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is the best keyboard of the moment.
2014-07-25 EDITION:
8 years after my review of this fabulous keypad, it is still going strong despite heavy use. However, it is unfortunate to note that the current rates of this keyboard revolve around 50 while 8 years ago, they were 10 cheaper!
