Buy Now...

Following the pattern of the last few years, the end of summer is marked by the arrival of several new offerings from Microsoft's consumer division.  This year, as in previous years, hardware is well represented in the form of mice and keyboards.  Microsoft has even come up with a new category of devices with its Comfort family which includes the Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000. 

This particular keyboard has been developed to satisfy the needs of those who are unable or unwilling to adjust to the ergonomic style of keyboard yet still demand enhanced comfort when using such a device.  Rather than use the split style of keyboard adopted by some of its earlier models, this Microsoft keyboard has a six degree curve in the main alphanumeric keyboard layout.  According to ergonomic theory as expounded by Microsoft, this curve will encourage a more natural wrist and arm alignment.  As a result this should improve the user's posture when typing and so reduced the chance of RSI (Repetitive Stress Injury) making an appearance and cause discomfort for the user.

See also: Keyboards and Mice

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The Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 is of the wired variety and connects to a USB port on either a PC or Macintosh system.  Users of either system will be able to access the basic keyboard layout plus a number of additional keys that have been positioned along the top of the device.

Taking up a central position is a Media Control section.  This has one click buttons for playing and stopping media files; adjusting volume levels; plus muting any audio.  Next to this control pad are hot keys for accessing email, Web/Home and search facilities.  Two more hotkeys are on the left and these allow you to move back and forwards through available windows.  Finally over on the right is a key to bring up the Windows calculator.

No software is provided with this keyboard which probably explains why you need Windows 2000 or later to get the full benefit of this device.  With earlier versions of Windows you will only be able to use the basic keyboard layout and the Media Control pad.  Microsoft claims another feature for this keyboard.  The unit is water-resistant and should be able to withstand any accident spills with the liquid being channelled out of the bottom of the keyboard. However, for obvious reasons, I decided not to put this feature to the test.

The keyboard is black in colour with silver lettering.  It is lightweight and does not come with a wrist-rest.  As a result it should be less demanding when it comes to work space considerations. 

As mentioned earlier, Windows users will requires Windows 2000 or later, running on a Pentium 233MHz or high processor with 128MB of RAM.  Macintosh users need Mac OS X v10.2 to 10.3 operating system.  The Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 has been priced at £19.99 and is a reasonable buy for those looking for a stylish keyboard that is not over-cluttered with to many additional features.

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=040