Nice, once you get used to it (Microsoft Natural Pro)

Member Name: Spency

Product:	Microsoft Natural Pro
Date:	01/08/01 (108 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Better Layout, Easy to use

Disadvantages: Need to give yourself time to adjust to it

I was diagnosed with R.S.I (Repetitive Strain Injury) just after I left college due to the amount of work that I did on computers and of course keyboards. My life and work revolves around being able to type accurately and with some speed attached as well. My old keyboard was simply one they chuck in with any new PC. I used it for a couple of months and felt my wrists getting much worse.

So after contacting a local association that advises on these matters, I invested in the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. The price didn’t bother much; if it could keep me typing I didn’t really care. When it arrived I plugged it in and it worked straight away, no need to do anything what so ever. It’s a funny thing to look at. Its curved with a shallow slope on the front of the keyboard. This is supposed to give the wrists more support. The keypad is effectively split into two, with one set of keys on the left, one on the right and then the usual number pad and arrows keys on the far right. In the middle is the little indicator lights (when you have caps lock on for example) and “connecting” the two keypads is the massive space bar. Along the top you have your F keys and prtscn etc .

I’ve had it for a month now and to be honest I’m typing much quicker. It hasn’t really helped my RSI, its something that will always hurt after spending all day on the computer. It has reduced the niggling affects of it and I am able to stay on here for even longer now. The manual and advice that came with it was very, very poor and could have down with a guide of how to effectively use this keyboard in terms of wrist positions. I like this keyboard and once you get used to it is a very nice thing to use and it actually makes it a little easier to touch type as well.

Summary: