d2r: microsoft natural keyboards: evolution or devolution?

microsoft natural keyboards: evolution or devolution?

I am, like many of us, very specific about certain things in my work environment, and there's stuff that I have "requested" (read: demanded!) everywhere I've been to in the last few years. One of those things is a Microsoft Mouse. The other is a Microsoft Natural Keyboard.

Yep, that's two Microsoft products I actually like a lot (the other main one is MS Bookshelf, which sadly got discontinued in 2000 and got swallowed by Encarta, which is ok but too big for basic dictionary/thesaurus needs).

I got a Natural Keyboard when it was first released (it was one of the first USB keyboards) and then got a new one in '99 when MS released the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. That very keyboard has been with me since then in every machine I have at home, crossed oceans back and forth and been in as many cities as I've been, and it's been a rock. Nice feel, good construction and key placement. I particularly like that the keyboard is huge, and since I have big hands I feel comfortable with it.

I have yet to meet another person that feels as comfortable as I do with this keyboard, I wonder if I'm the only one buying them. :) But my problem is that in recent years, as the new Wireless versions have appeared, Microsoft has been "compressing" the width of the keyboard, with the result that even the Pro version compresses the Insert/Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn key set from a 3x2 configuration to a 2/1/2 configuration (the insert key is gone, the alignment is vertical instead of horizontal, and the delete key is two keys tall).

What truly drives me crazy about this is that there is no option to get the old keyboard layout (and don't even get me started on the crosshairs cursor keys of the Natural Keyboard Elite! For a while it seemed that every new keyboard came with a different key layout). You either get the Natural Keyboard layout with vertical keys over the cursors (and compressed design) or a regular keyboard layout, with more space.

Also, every new version keeps adding weird function keys, integration and whatnot. It's starting to become a problem, like the million features in Microsoft Word that no one uses. Wake up MS! You had a great product with the basic Natural Keyboard and regular keyboards, along with Intellimouse. Stop adding buttons and lights and gizmos. Just make a good, simple keyboard. Notice how Apple keeps going for simplicity? Try that for a change!

So last night I "retired" my old set of Keyboard/Mouse and now I've got a new one, the Wireless Optical Desktop Pro, which is as close as it gets to the old version. It's the Natural Keyboard, plus the Intellimouse explorer, but alas bluetooth versions don't yet come in the "Natural" split-keyboard format.

Here's hoping that when they do, Microsoft will restore the standard Insert/Delete/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn 3x2 key arrangement over the cursor keys. And enlarge it a little bit. And remove some (just a few) of the crazy functions they keep adding to the keys. That, and I'd be happy.

PS: Since I'm asking... also, there's a trend of designing Mice so that they adapt ergonomically to the hand. This is fine, but it becomes a problem for people like me, who frequently switch the mouse hand throughout the work day. I'll probably have to end up working with two mice at once. :)

Categories: technology
Posted by diego on February 6 2005 at 1:13 PM | TrackBack (2)

Comments (please see the comments & trackback policy).

I'm with you on this: I heart my natural keyboard which I got a few years back, and I hate working without it.

Posted by: dwlt at February 6, 2005 8:52 PM

IIRC, MS started "compressing" their ergonomic keyboards after the first Natural Keyboard because they wouldn't fit on keyboard trays. You may remember that the Natural Keyboard Elite didn't even have inverted-T cursor keys. Ridiculous, I know.

I myself like the MS Internet Keyboard Pro (and Logitech mice, but I digress), but since they don't make those anymore, I better hope this thing lasts a looong time.

Posted by: quanta at February 6, 2005 10:22 PM

This is just a big "ME TOO"!!! Every place I've worked I've stipulated that a MS Natural keyboard is a must have. I prefer trackballs to mice (reduced arm movement makes my shoulder a lot happier). I had to resort to buying the PS/2 version of the Natural Pro to get the full size arrow keys. The first PS/2-USB adapter I got tanked, but now it's all working very nicely. I actually have one of the original natural keyboards from a while back - dirty and on it's way out, but I still love it...

Posted by: Grant at February 6, 2005 10:38 PM

I won't use any other keyboard. I have one that I bought new back in '99, and another that I bought over eBay when I needed a replacement for work. I'm floored that no one has managed to make something better in all this time -- and I hate the new Microsoft layouts.

Posted by: Ben Galbraith at February 7, 2005 12:38 PM

Very cool, it seems there are a few of us at least! Now maybe MS will listen and bring back the old design. :-))

Posted by: Diego at February 7, 2005 1:23 PM

Just wanted add a me too. Got a MS Nat. Key Pro at home and work (and Logitech Trackballs). This set-up was key to making my RSI symptoms go away. I would love to go wireless at work, oh well. (Off to snap up a couple of keyboards on eBay...)

Posted by: James E. Robinson, III at February 7, 2005 1:33 PM

Another HUGE ME TOO!!!
I cannot believe that they have retired such a great keyboard design. It's the only thing between me and pain and insanity on those 10hour keyboarding days.

I can't find one anywhere. I'm so depressed I practically swear everytime I go ctrl+home or ctrl+end to go to the bottom of the document on my current kb. It either deletes or does nothing.

I hope MICROSOFT gets the message and puts it back in production! Where do you go to protest the stupid kb changes being introduced?

Posted by: RonO at February 16, 2005 4:40 PM

One more HUGE ME TOO..
I have the orginal Natural keyboard and bought a multimedia version for work a few years back.. like a lot of you, I take it with me everywhere.
I have not been able to use it recently though because my laptop does not have a PS/2 port!! I bought an adapter that merges 2 PS/2 ports into a USB connector made a mess of everything! It seems that MS is shipping an adapter with the keyboards.. can ANYONE please help me find one so i can use my treasured keyboard again! I'm willing to buy the adapter from anyone if they don't have use for it.
Thank you in advance.

Posted by: Indy at March 9, 2005 4:37 PM

I have had two of the original natural keyboards, one Pro version (still in use), and now two of the latest incarnations. I have to agree with everyone that the first version and the Pro version were great keyboards, but the latest version is rubbish (along with the Elite). There are so few uses for the new "F" keys (what a waste of time to have to press "F Lock" and disable it anyway after every boot), and they don't even work properly with all Microsoft's products. Also, the Windows button on the right have disappeared. I won't even start about the mess above the arrow keys. If Microsoft wants to make an improved keyboard, rather give us dedicated Copy, Cut & Paste keys, but leave the original layout alone! Is there any place where we can launch a petition to Microsoft to restore the proper layout, or provide it as an option?

Posted by: JJ at May 9, 2005 6:57 AM

Hahhh... Just hit on this blog! I feel much better now that I am not alone!
I just lost my good old original MS natural keyboard. The soot deposited by my dishwasher fire, killed it. I tried fixing it, when I discovered what the new models were like... unfortunately there is no way I know to mend cuts in the elecrical paths of the plastic sheets inside. I would gladly pay $100.00 to get my original keyboard back!

Posted by: sansay at May 30, 2005 7:22 AM

Yet another me too--I just dug one up at work, and have never been so tempted to steal from my employer as I am now. I bought one for about $50 a few months ago to replace one that I had finally spilled too much sticky stuff inside, but now I'm thinking I should've bought a bunch. I hate hate hate the "improved" layouts--and I've never had a problem fitting mine on a keyboard tray. Boo to Microsoft for changing their best product.

Posted by: Jessica at June 24, 2005 4:51 PM

I'm also a huge Natural Pro fan-- and I'm happy to report that the brand new MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 is a worthy successor to the pro! It's even better!

http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/archives/000400.html

Posted by: Jeff Atwood at September 29, 2005 10:52 AM

I agree with you all the way. I'm working with an original natural keyboard since I first bought one (sep 1998). I used other keyboards (work, friends, family) but none ever came close. Fortunately for me my keyboard is still usable, but that's about it: after seven years of daily use it had its best time, so I could use a replacement. I had a look at many of today's keyboards, but none of them seems capable of replacing my good old natural. Too bad. You know, I'd kill for an original natural keyboard like I have now!
Are you listening Microsoft? ;-)

Posted by: Danny at October 8, 2005 4:20 PM

Well, all I can say is that, this was the best invention of Microsoft, ever! And, as such, Microsoft had to kill it, because it was too good of a product to come from Microsoft!

Posted by: CD at November 3, 2005 10:35 PM

I am so with you on this! In fact I just stumbled on your blog while Googling for any sources to buy an additional Natural Pro, and looks like there aren't, and it's gone, which makes me very unhappy.

I've used all three of the Naturals, and the first one (whch had the raised front) is still the best, IMO, the Elite had those bad function key pladements, but the Pro is pretty good. So, I would love for Microsoft to stop their nonsense already and just bring back this product, possibly the best one they've made.

As for mousing, I've been using a Kensington trackball, and it has worked out very well for me.

Posted by: Vera Nazarian at February 15, 2006 6:09 AM

Another ME TOO.... So I took my good old faithful with me when I moved jobs recently, but there's no PS2 port on my new PC - using the new 4000 but have developed immediate RSI - the control keys are rubbish, far too close and small, plus I keep hitting caps lock -

Has anyone out there got an old Natural to work with USB???? HELP??!! Please please please reply if you have. :-(

Posted by: Joanna Burnett at May 27, 2006 7:20 AM

You're so right .. after i spilled something (i was drunk, i don't remember anything else) on my old ms natural the circuit board was corroded, so i had to try and find something that was as good. I ended up with a Logitech Ultra-X flat. I had to go as far away as possible from a split keyboard in order to be able to like something else ..

Posted by: Adrian at June 9, 2006 1:25 AM

I miss having the riser on the front of the keyboard so that it comes up to meet the heels of my hands. Now I have to put a book under the front of my Elite to get it to do the same thing. Everything about the newer keyboards is worse than the original. From the keyboard riser to the size to the arrangement of the keys--bad clean through.

Posted by: CKA3KA at June 13, 2006 4:33 PM

I'm having the same problem as Joanna. I'm trying to get the oldest (first) Microsoft Natural Keyboard working on my Dell laptop. There's no PS2 port. So I bought a PS2 to USB adapter from Amazon. But when I try to connect the keyboard using this to the USB port, it still doesn't recognize the device.

Anybody who knows how (if) it can be fixed, please reply!!!

THANKS!

Posted by: Vivek Kaimal at June 20, 2006 10:33 AM