Microsoft Natural MultiMedia Keyboard, K50-00001

Before plugging the Natural MultiMedia keyboard into the PS/2 socket on the back of your PC, it is necessary to install the included IntelliType Pro 2.2 software. It works with Windows 98 and later, though some hot keys require specific versions of applications, such as Internet Explorer.

The keyboard is styled in dark blue, cream, and grey, so it fits in well with other Microsoft peripherals. As with earlier versions of the Natural keyboard, the keys accessed by the left hand are separated from those intended for the right by being angled away, with a triangular spacer in the middle, above the Spacebar. The bottom-row keys, like Ctrl, Start, and Alt, are enlarged to make them easier to press, and the Spacebar itself can still be used with either thumb.

A new F Lock key, positioned to the right of F12, locks the row of function keys into alternate functions, such as Undo, Close, Send, and Print. This makes working with many applications, including e-mail clients, much quicker. There are a further 17 dedicated, special keys behind the function key row that handle things like music playback, opening the My Documents folder, starting the calculator, and switching the PC to sleep mode.

While this keyboard will undoubtedly make most users' lives easier, some "pick-and-peck" typists may have difficulty with the separated keyboard layout. --Simon Williams, Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com Product Description
Take command of your keyboard experience in comfort and style with the comfortable keyboard that fits your digital lifestyle! The Microsoft Natural MultiMedia keyboard features one-touch buttons that take you directly to your favorite multimedia activities--navigate music and video clips, surf the Web, open many of the programs you use most, and more.

With the press of a button, hot keys give you instant access to Messenger, Mail, Internet, and Calculator commands. Hot keys for My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music put the files you use most within easy reach. Enhanced F keys let you perform common tasks faster. Just press a key to open, close, save, and print documents, send and forward e-mails, and more.

Put your computer into sleep mode (such as suspend, standby, or hibernation) right from your computer desktop, protecting your data and saving energy. (Sleep hot key functionality is available if your system supports power management and it is enabled, and if all peripherals are compatible with power management.)

This keyboard features a three-year warranty.

The downside is that nasty function key redesign. The software has no place to permanently enable the "F Lock" key so that the function keys operate as normal function keys. If you EVER use a function key in any software, use the insert key for anything, or even hit ALT-F4 to close an app, avoid this keyboard... it will frustrate you for weeks to come.

I will probably buy another keyboard and try to recover some money in an auction somewhere.


It all depends on your preference   May 25, 2003
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I've been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite ergonomic keyboard for a few years now and love it but when I decided to get an ergonomic keyboard for a second computer I decided to try something new. In comparision, I agree with a previous reviewer in that this keyboard does feel stiffer than the Elite. It all depends on whether you like soft keys or slightly stiffer ones. I prefer the softer keys myself because it's easier on my wrist muscles after hours of typing. When I say stiffer keys, I don't mean terribly stiff but you will notice a difference if you use both keyboards daily like I do. It just makes sense that the softer keyboard would put less strain on your wrist muscles, since it's less of an effort to press it.

The other differences between the two keyboards is that the Elite has smaller keys for the Home, End, arrows, etc buttons whereas this one has basically the standard size, and the Elite also doesn't have the multimedia buttons. The arrows are also rearranged on the Elite but that doesn't bother me because I don't use them much, nor do I use the multimedia buttons much either.

If you get a chance, I would recommend trying them both out first before buying. Both keyboards have about the same ergonomic shape so it comes down to whether you like how it feels when typing, if you need the multimedia functions, or don't like the Elite arrow layout. I gave this keyboard 3 stars because I can type longer on the Elite before feeling pain, which for me is the most important factor in buying an ergonomic keyboard.


Great keyboard.   February 21, 2003
Nik (DC)
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

Ive read a few reviews here and think they are a little biased. Mainly because they are users of regular keyboards thinking they can just type normally on a natural immediately with the same results.

It takes a few hours to get used to it the natural design, and once you do, you feel a lot more comfortable, and can type at a much faster rate.

This is my 3rd ms natural keyboard - the previous two going with one other pc and me spilling hot soup over the original - which kind of ticked me off ;)

They are the best keyboards I have ever used, and yes, I am also a heavy gamer, and can use the keyboard the same in just about all games I play (cs, ra3, opflash, IL2, falcon 4 etc).

And if your looking for a natural keyboard, of what I know, these are the most comfortable and contoured boards around. I reccomend these pants down :) And the extra multimedia and shortcut keys on this board are great once u get used to them.


its pretty good   January 20, 2003
ryan (CA)
11 out of 14 found this review helpful

i just recieved the natural multimedia keyboard and it works quite well. the IntelliType Pro 2.2 software allows you to customize the top multimedia buttons allowing you to start up your favorite programs at a touch of a button.
the buttons feel nice and solid. i dont like the soft feel ones because it is too sensitive and i keep on pressing keys that i don't intend to press. the keys feel like a Dell Quietkey keyboard (its those white ones, not the stealth black ones which are Dell Enhanced Quitekeys). i like a little resistance in keys so i don't accidentally press keys. the right shift key however, was a little too hard to press so i just popped it out and added some grease and replaced it and now it works just fine. it also didn't take much time to learn how to type on this kind of keyboard than standard keyboards. in addition, like the main goal of this keyboard, i dont feel any more pain in my wrists!!! the 6 key i don't really care about which side its on (if you are such a good "typist" then you should be able to learn and get used to it!!!) ...


Leave well enough alone (programmers beware)   July 28, 2003
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

First I should give Micro$oft credit for attempting to continue to produce a line of ergonomic keyboards with functions for everyone. However, and despite the nice features of the Natural Multimedia keyboard, they dropped the ball, again. I am one of the lucky users who bought an original Microsoft Natural keyboard when they first came out and, after the break-in period (to get used to the split keyboard), I was hooked and never went back to another (in-line) keyboard (actually, I can't go back as they hurt my wrists if I use them for any prolonged period). However, like most computer hardware, those keyboards had a limited life and mine broke. I tried the Natural Elite but, as a programmer/web person, I just couldn't get used to the rearranged arrow keys and small size in general. I was happy to see the original, traditional arrow key arrangement restored on this Natural Multimedia keyboard. However, M$ just couldn't leave well enough alone and saw fit to rearrange/modify the HOME/END/INSERT/DELETE... "location" keys above them. I'm in the same position I was in with the Elite board, I just won't be able to get used to the newly arranged "location" keys (and don't want to as all the other keyboards here at work and the one I have at home orgainize them correctly in their original configuration). Certainly if you don't use the arrow keys or "location" keys much this won't be an issue for you but if you do much coding and depending on your "style" you may find yourself not able to or not wanting to get used to the alternate key layout of the Multimedia Keyboard.

So far I don't mind the added keys as I can choose to use them, remap them to the programs I want, or just ignore them if I don't like them. This is what they should have done with the extended function keys, just made them separate keys as I think there is probably enough room for them. Oh well.

As far as the "F Lock" function key business, it's not that big of a deal to hit the key once whenever you boot your computer. However, there really should have been an option in the driver software that let's you modify the default behavior for this key. Also, it seems that the registry fix for this issue (that can be found on google groups) is only good for Windows 2000, XP, and greater (future); I have not tried it on my NT PC as I'm not sure what it will do since, per M$'s site RE key mapping, it is not supported on that O/S. But let's face it, users should not have to download possibly suspect 3rd party registry hacks to get the typical function key behavior back. It's almost as if Micro$oft is keen on getting everyone to "keyboard" to their specs, even if that means relearning how to type to some degree. Silly.

I was hoping this keyboard would be the redeemer M$ needed after the inferior Elite replaced the original Natural board, a nearly perfect product in my estimation (Dubious? just look at the prices those puppies command now - if you can find them!). But I'm afraid that, due to the placement of the HOME/END/DELETE/INSERT... "location" keys, the flub with the "F Lock" key setting, no USB support, and the fact that they eliminated the front flip-up "foot" found on the underside of the original Natural (that raised the front of the keyboard up and greatly reducing wrist strain - for me) leaves me with no choice but to give this product just 2 stars. Here's hoping they get it right next time :o(