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Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 (B2L-00002) | 
| Brand: Microsoft
List Price: $19.95
Buy New: $11.83
You Save: $8.12 (41%)
New (48) Used (2) from $10.99
Rating:  118 reviews
Sales Rank: 751
Platform: No Operating System
Color: BLACK
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Keyboard: QWERTY
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.5
Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 18.9 x 1.2
nv:Keyboard Type: Ergonomic
Keys: 104
Connection Type: USB
Warranty: 3 years warranty
MPN: B2L-00002
Model: B2L-00002
UPC: 882224014250
EAN: 0882224014250
ASIN: B0009ZBRS0
Release Date: September 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Ergonomic design for greater comfort | | • | Multimedia keys | | • | One-touch Internet access key | | • | Stylish, ultra-thin profile | | • | Built to withstand damage from spills |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Space Saving Design / MultiMedia Keys / Cutting-Edge Design
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| Customer Reviews: Read 113 more reviews...
Nice keyboard for the price September 28, 2005
Amazon Shopper
50 out of 51 found this review helpful
Let's talk about the features Microsoft advertises on its product tour mini site.
Great comfort: It's generally more comfort than a traditional keyboard once you get used to the curved layout and thin profile keys. Don't forget to spread out your arms. Other than the surprisingly low cost (for a ergonomic keyboard), I bought it for another reason - good spacebar design. (Well, the spacebar on my copy of the keyboard has a problem that I'll discuss in a moment) I do touch typing and almost always use right thumb for space key. Spacebar on a traditional keyboard has sharp edge towards your thumb pad. Just put your thumb on a spacebar and you know what I'm saying here. The spacebar and all other keys on this row of the comfort curve keyboard have been tilted towards the user and have reduced thickness at the bottom so the thumb touches the flat (slightly curved) surface of the keys. Some traditional keyboards now have similar design but cost more and they are hard to get. However, the spacebar on my copy of the keyboard apparently was assembled incorrectly. The tiny metal support wire/hinge under the key is not snapped in place therefore the spacebar makes noise all the time when typing on other keys. It's easy to fix once I pry open the spacebar and snap in the metal support wire. The spacebar is still kind of loose due to its large size but no more unwanted noise. The quality problem makes me worry about Internet purchase because of inconvenience of return/exchange. My experience tells me that recent Microsoft hardware quality is inconsistent (probably like its software). I bought a Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer early this year and it had a near dead button (push very hard to make it work).
Another annoyance is the tiny Ctrl keys. Due to the layout design, Ctrl keys are fairly small and easy to miss. I'd rather have smaller Win keys to give space for larger Ctrl keys. Or at least the Ctrl keys don't have to be rounded aggressively at corners. More expensive Microsoft Nature Ergonomic Natural keyboard seems to have slightly bigger Ctrl keys.
Easy setup and use: No software is required. The keyboard has USB connector and no USB-to-PS/2 adapter is provided in the package. It probably will work with a USB-to-PS/2 adapter based on what system requirements info says from the Microsoft website. Because it's a USB device, make sure your PC BIOS USB keyboard support is enabled or you lose keyboard control until USB HID (Human Interface Device) driver is loaded.
Spill-resistant keys: This is largely true as long as you don't tilt your keyboard too much or spilled water/coffee below the keys doesn't overflow to the desk. Each key is supported by a cylinder which raises high above the base plate. Base plate has four tiny drain holes. Pry open just one key and you'll understand. I don't know how special function keys at top of the keyboard are protected. They may be more vulnerable.
Save desktop space: False! This keyboard is slightly larger than my Dell Quiet keyboard. It's much bigger than some compact keyboard with razor-thin edges. Basically it takes no more space than your old traditional keyboard.
Ultra-thin profile: Not sure I'll like it or not. Time will tell. It makes me feel like using a notebook but key travel may be comparable to a desktop keyboard. The tactical feedback is close to a notebook keyboard but I can still type pretty fast.
Some other notes:
Special function keys are useful. No software is required but they only work with certain software and cannot be customized. Pictures on Microsoft website are tiny so let me tell you what these special keys are: Back, Forward, Volume Down, Mute, Volume Up, Play/Pause (above vol down, mute, vol up keys), Web/Home, Search and Mail. There is also a Calculator key next to the keyboard status LEDs.
Finally, Microsoft gets rid of the quirky edit keys layout (keys above reverse T toothpick arrow keys) that was popular in its last generation keyboards. The comfort curve keyboard has traditional layout for those keys and that's important to me. I wouldn't use any keyboard without this layout.
So far I'm happy with the purchase. It's a nice and cheap keyboard if you're looking for an ergonomic one. Hopefully, the shortcomings I mentioned above can be fixed in the next version of this keyboard. It's not bad for a v1.0 comfort curve keyboard.
UPDATE: Each special key can be customized once latest IntelliType Pro software is installed. Although Microsoft harware download web site doesn't provide a driver for this keyboard, guess what, this keyboard is listed as the very first one in Keyboard model dropdown list in keyboard settings.
After eight months of use, I still stand behind my comments and it still gets 4 stars :)
good inexpensive upgrade May 15, 2006
Joseph C. Mooney (Christina Lake, BC Canada)
42 out of 44 found this review helpful
For under 20 bucks, this keyboard is a very nice upgrade to the heavily value-engineered keyboard that comes with most computers. (In my case a Dell Quiet-key. It's actually a bit better than most stock keyboards, but still has shortcomings which I won't get into since this is a review of the Microsoft product).
Pros:
o keys have a nice "feel". Light touch, low travel, quiet.
o although this is an ergonomic keyboard, the differences in layout and spacing are minor and easy to adjust to, yet they still offer an improvement in typing comfort.
o nice spacebar, slightly deeper than standard keyboards, is easy to reach.
o reasonable price for a this quality of keyboard.
Cons:
o size: the width is identical to my Dell Quietkey, depth is about 1 inch greater, to accomodate the extra browser-specific buttons which I don't use. If the extra buttons were generic and user programmable this item would be in the Pros category.
Disclaimer - taste in input devices is highly subjective. What works wonderfully for one person can be a nightmare for another. I like this keyboard and find it more comfortable to use than a standard layout. Your mileage may vary.
Comfort Curve 2000 and the Mac mini February 17, 2007
albertus (Houston, TX USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I am currently using this keyboard on my Mac mini (Intel-based). You can download the latest Intellitype software which is a Universal binary. The keys are programmable using the software (which appears in System Preferences).
The feel of the keyboard is soft to the touch. The curved design does help in making typing easier (there's less strain on the wrists).
So far, this keyboard is worth it for less than $20. It works with the Mac mini too.
 Microsoft got it right with this one October 17, 2005
Steve Houck (Ann Arbor, MI)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
After being a "split" keyboard user for the last 10 years (since the Microsoft Natural Keyboard), I wanted to try this new "Curve" design. Personally, I feel it surpasses any other keyboard I've used because of the following:
1) The keys feel great. Nice feedback, but still very quiet.
2) It's small. Takes up about the same space as a legal sheet of paper.
3) It's USB. Not a big deal, but PS/2? I think we're done with that.
4) No F-Lock button. F1-F12 are ACTUALLY F1-F12. Previous keyboards from Microsoft (such as the Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard) had a "feature" that made the F keys "function" keys by default. You had to press the F-Lock button to make the F keys, F keys. Start up your computer, and pressing F8 wasn't F8, it was "Forward" on a browser. Irritating, especially if you want to boot into safe mode, then you have to press F-Lock really quick before you can press F8. Dumb. Wouldn't be so bad if you could make the keyboard DEFAULT to the F keys AS F keys, but you couldn't. Every reboot, it set back to the new "improved" F keys.
5) It's cheap. New Microsoft keyboards are $50-$70 for the wireless fancy schmancy models. Basic, no frills, just a great keyboard.
6) Oh yeah, apparently it's spillproof, but I'm not going to chance it by trying it. I'll take Microsoft's word for it.
Only negative about this keyboard is the lack of USB ports on the back like the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. Other than that, 5 stars. Actually, even without that, 5 stars. Cheers to a great product.
Great Feel - Great Value February 23, 2006
Kent Miller (Northern VA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I'm a coder, and I spend an enormous amount of time with my keyboards. I'm at several different computers in any given day, and I get more comfortable with some than others. Once in a while, I come across a keyboard that just feels right, in terms of touch and layout.
To be honest, my favorite keyboard right now is not the MS Comfort Curve - it's the Viewsonic KU709 Slim Keyboard, which has perfect feel.
But the MS Comfort Curve is a solid second. And at $15, it's a fantastic value. The only drawback with this keyboard is that while the 'curve' is a more natural position for your hands, it separates the middle keys enough to throw off your touch-typing a bit. If you switch keyboards like I do, this is a tad annoying, but if you spend quality time with it, you'll probably love it.
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