REVIEW: THE MICROSOFT NATURAL KEYBOARD

As one who spends more than his fair share at a computer keyboard I was
fascinated by the concept of the new Microsoft Natural Keyboard.  

Microsoft designers spent a lot of time and money researching keyboards
and how to make them more comfortable to use.  The Joyce Institute was
brought in to teach the Microsoft design team how to evaluate and design
a keyboard with ergonomic principles in mind.  In addition, the designers
consulted with many users to see what could be done to update the keys
themselves to meet today's needs.

Here's a little test you can conduct yourself.  Sitting comfortably
at a table, allow your forearms to drop naturally.  Your hands will form a
right angle.  Now, swing your forearms outwards until they are parallel
with each other.  Can you feel any tension in your upper arms and shoulders?

The Microsoft Natural Keyboard splits the traditional keyboard into two
sections, appropriately angled to accomodate the natural position your
hands want to assume.  The space between the keypads is wider at the front
and encourages a straighter wrist position.  The Wrist Leveller, which is
essentially a hinged rail, raises the front of the keyboard that allows for 
a straight wrist position regardless of the angle of approach.  Like the
Braun kitchen appliances of the 1960s, its clean lines and stylish shapes
may just earn it a place in the Museum of Modern Art.

In addition to the natural layout, Microsoft designers have added three keys
(total 104).  Two are Windows-specific (included at the request of the 
Windows design team).  They launch the new IntelliType Task Manager in
Microsoft Windows 3.x or Windows NT 3.x but will have additional functionality
in future operating systems.  The third new key will provide quick access to
shortcut menus and help files in future software applications.  Also included
is the Intellitype driver software, containing a new keyboard control panel.
This software allows you to customize all keyboard functions including layout
and cursor.  This software addresses one of my pet peeves - control of LOCK
on CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK and SCROLL LOCK keys.  I can now easily set this to
my own personal preference which happens to be OFF! I can also now use the 
numeric keypad as a mouse so I can enjoy "point-and-shoot" and "drag-and-drop"
without moving my hands from the keyboard.  I also like the neat cursor
controls too. 

The Microsoft Natural Keyboard comes with a PS/2-to-5-pin circular DIN
adapter so it can be used on just about any AT class or higher machine.
Microsoft chose Key Tronic Corporation to manufacture the keyboard.  Mine
was made in the U.S.A.  It appears to be well made and has a Limited Lifetime
Guarantee "for the life of the Product".  I'm not sure how long this is
in actual time.  As a caveat, Microsoft does not claim that its Natural
Keyboard will either prevent or cure repetitive stress injuries.  

The keyboard offers a nice tactile feel and is a pleasure to use.  I found 
after several hours my arms, wrists, shoulders and upper back do not feel 
strained and fatigued.  Touch typists will love it, "hunt'n'peck" will 
probably not.  My old keyboard (an old original IBM AT "clicker") has been
retired to serve as a stand-by in case of need.  My only concern is:  am I
becoming so spoiled to the point that I may never want to use a standard 
keyboard again?


%T      Microsoft Natural Keyboard
%A      Microsoft Corporation
%C      Redmond Washington
%D      1994
%P      Price: under $100.00

(C) 1995
Michael Crestohl
Nahant Massachusetts  USA
mc@shore.net

DISCLAIMER:  I have no interest, financial or otherwise, in the success or 
failure of the book or materials reviewed herewith, nor have I received any 
compensation (other than a review copy requested by me) from anyone who has.  
All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Other Internet and Aviation book/software reviews by me can be obtained 
by anonymous FTP from:  x2ftp.oulu.fi in the /pub/books/crestohl directory.