Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard for Business. Wireless , Comfortable, Ergonomic Keyboard with Split Design and Palm Rest. Separate Number Pad Included

Why did you pick this product vs others?: I thought the design looked the most comfortable for the price (I could be tempted to a true split keyboard at double the amount, but). I was not disappointed! It is so-o-o-o comfortable! I have had ZERO pain since a few weeks after I started using it, and I used to have a LOT. I am a college instructor, teaching exclusively online, and I write as a side gig, so I am keyboarding ALL DAY. Comfort and ergonomics matter! So I can wholeheartedly recommend this. Keyboard size: A bigger (wider) person might prefer a true split keyboard, but this one is wide enough for a woman, at least, to prevent you having to scrunch your arms in front of you or twist your wrists into weird configurations to use it. My forearms are still angled in a bit but, as I say, not enough to be awkward. I am prone to arthritis and so if it's comfortable for me you're going to likely be more than fine with it. Feel: Pretty good feel to it! I think I might like the more modern fingertip-shaped keys and a softer surface available on other products these days, but this is fine. I grew up with hard, flatter keys, so I'd never given it a second thought until reading reviews tonight. On which subject, I'd thought I was going to need to replace it (see below), but in an hour or more of reading reviews I did not see anything I liked better.... so, two years and change later, this is still the best choice for me. Zero regrets. Brightness: Unfortunately, it is not backlit. I have a desk lamp and although I'm a touch typist I still am not entirely comfortable using it without the desk lamp angled toward it. Functionality: The only trouble I've had with it is that it seemed to be, well, failing recently. Weirdly, it was worse in the afternoons, when all the kids in the neighborhood get home from school but before dinner, and I figured there were hordes of teens all trying to game and whatnot (some might even be doing homework). Then I decided it was the battery.... It was neither. Apparently, it's a quirk with this keyboard, and I came here to write a review complaining that I'd only got two years out of it (at pennies a day, but still) and found a reviewer with a solution: Move your USB thingy so that it is in a direct line with your keyboard's receiver and within a foot or two of it and problem solved. Sure enough, I moved mine to my hub so it would be on the same level (I had my laptop elevated, so its USB ports were nowhere near in line with my desk surface) and I scooted the keyboard over a bit to give the receiver a direct shot at the dongle and dang if it isn't working perfectly now. The letters are wearing off the keys, though, and if you are not fluent in touch typing, you may find you'll need to replace some after a couple of years use. I never look at them and so do not care! Keyboard layout: I have no complaints about the layout. Although some people seem to prefer different variations, I've gotten used to this one and it does not slow you down once you are familiar with it. It's pricey, but you will not regret it. It very quickly works out to pennies a day and what it will save you in pain, discomfort, and possibly even (eventual) disability is priceless anyway.

I am a software engineer, so I'm on the keyboard all day, every day. I touch type, including special characters, and am reasonably fast. I'm pretty picky about my keyboards. I have a new favorite keyboard. First of all, be aware this keyboard has a Quirk, that lots of folks seem to have run into: The wireless works fine, as long as: - The receiver dongle is not more than two or three feet away from the keyboard AND - The receiver is in a direct unobstructed line of sight with the keyboard. I have one at work and one at home, and for both I bought a USB hub which I keep on my desktop nearish the keyboard. Once I did this I've had no further issues. The one I have at work I've been using continuously and heavily since ~June 2017. Once I worked out the above two things, I had no further issues, for going on four months now. But if you violate either of the above two factors, the keyboard will work fine - mostly. But occasionally you'll encounter the keyboard going 'dead' - completely unresponsive - for a few seconds up to five minutes or so. Then it comes back, as if nothing ever happened. This had me looking for all sorts of system and network issues ... Occasionally the keyboard will drop key events, such as 'key-Delete-down' or 'key-Delete-up', or whatever. It's inconsistent. When it starts, this will happen randomly, often enough to totally disrupt your work, for an hour or so. Then it will stop happening, and be fine for 1 to 10 days. Then it will happen again. Basically I narrowed it down to a weak wireless connection between the dongle and the keyboard itself. Whenever the dongle was further away, or the battery getting old, or there was a lot of wireless traffic in my area of the building, I might see issues. Changing the battery will make you think that fixed it, but it didn't. The problem will return. (Once I figured out and fixed the above two factors, I put the old/original battery back in the keyboard as an experiment. The keyboard worked fine, and is still working fine on that battery.) After six months of happy use, I bought one for my home system as well. It worked fine - for a couple months - then I started to see the above issues. I'd put the dongle in a USB port on the back of my computer, which put it about three feet from the keyboard in a direct line. But the computer case, parts of my desk et cetera were physically between the two. I installed the dongle in a USB hub on top of my desk, about 1.5 feet from the keyboard, with nothing in between the dongle and keyboard, and all the issues disappeared, and have not returned. So now this is my new favorite keyboard. Overall it feels great and is at least as comfortable as my previous favorites (see below). The keys are short throw, fast, and quiet, like a good laptop keyboard, but a little noisier. It's definitely quieter than any other non-laptop keyboard I've ever used. It's significantly narrower than any other keyboard I've used, a little wider than a standard keyboard with no number pad. I like this aa lot, as it lets me put my trackball comfortably close for the first time ever. That's definitely a plus. The arrow keys are in an inverted 'T' layout on the lower right, close enough that I quickly learned to use them efficiently without having to stop and look for them. I do occasionally hit the Left-arrow key when I go for the right Control key (which I use a lot). But that's probably my lack of precision. The PageUp/PageDown etc keys are definitely in a new and unique arrangement. I wasn't sure I liked it at first, and worried that their proximity might mess up my use of the Enter, backslash, and Backspace keys, but that didn't happen. The Delete key is large, is two rows tall, and is just to the right of the Enter and Backspace keys. I figured I never use those keys, so I didn't really care. To my surprise, once I got comfortable with the keyboard, I found I -was- starting to use those keys. The layout is actually great, and I use them constantly now where I never did on previous keyboards. As others have pointed out, the function keys are somewhat mushy buttons, definitely not the same mechanics as the other keys, with minimal tactile feedback. I rarely use them - EXCEPT for the Esc key. If you are a heavy UNIX/Linux vi or vim user, you'll find the Esc key pretty annoyiing. It will slow you down. (Time to switch to emacs!) The wrist rest is comfortable, with minimal give. It will start to show a bit of wear marks after 6 months or so of use, but nothing significant. I've never used the number pad thingie, and probably never will. Formerly my favorite keyboards were: - Fellowes Microban Split Design Keyboard, Black (98915) Still like, have a few. Dislikes: Largish, noisy to type on, left alt key is not -quite- in the expected place, arrow keys are not in a 'T' layout, /page up/down etc keys are not in a 'normal' 3 wide by 2 tall layout. Definitely still usable. Likes: Best, most comfortable long-term layout (until the Sculpt). - Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite USB (the original, NOT the 3000, 4000, 'comfort', etc.) Still like, have a few (including the very rare black version). Dislikes: All the same as the Fellowes, except the alt keys are in the correct place here. For gaming, this keyboard doesn't handle chords or very fast keystrokes well - sometimes doesn't 'see' some. But never had an issue in any other situation. A little noisier than the Fellowes (to where coworkers have commented on it). This annoyed me enough to try the Fellowes. Also, they are generally very robust - But don't spill any liquid into one, even a little. The 'b' and some keys nearby will stop working - permanently. No amount of drying, cleaning, disassembly and cleaning will restore it. It's dead. By contrast the Fellowes keyboards seem to shrug off such accidents. They come in ivory only, unless you manage to find one of the very rare black ones. (I didn't know they existed until I stumbled across one on Amazon Warehouse Deals). Likes: The ONLY Ergo keyboard for many years I found to be an improvement over a 'standard' layout. And it is definitely much better, much more comfortable for me. I bought several as backups, used them at home and work. They're robust: I've used the same ones for years with no issues, and I have a heavy touch (learned on a manual typewriter). Relieved a bunch of minor complaints, mostly muscle tension. Happy typing. Update: 04/12/19 I have the same keyboard at work. I've used the original batteries since I got it. (I replaced them briefly while debugging the wireless issue, but then put the originals back). I have finally had to replace them (red light flashing on the kb for weeks, but finally it just quit). I got it about 4/18. So the batteries lasted exactly a year. I'm a software engineer, and use the keyboard heavily all day, almost every day.

Let me start by saying I type A LOT. I'm a computer programmer by profession so with that I use just about every key on the keyboard. I was on the fence of buying this keyboard for a LONG time. My biggest hesitation were the mixture of extremely positive or extremely negative reviews. I can't stand finding products that have such polarizing takes. I tried a number of stores and no one had one on display...recently I happened into a Microcenter and they happened to have one in a box on the shelf...I had to peek. So I opened it up, put my hands on it, and ultimately decided I NEEDED to try this keyboard. I ended up buying from Amazon simply because Microcenter didn't have the unit without the mouse. So, onto my review... I use this plugged up to an Apple Macbook Pro. Yeah, it seems wrong I know, but nobody in the Apple universe seems to believe in ergonomic. My wrists started hurting years ago typing on the flat keyboards and I made the switch and I will never go back. I currently own 4 ergonomic keyboards and this one is so far, my favorite, and not by a small margin. So you'll have an idea of what my other keyboards are for comparison sake, here they are: Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 - great wired keyboard with some minor annoyances Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5000 - another great keyboard, wireless, but a little hard feeling and squishy key feel Adesso Tru-Form Pro 308 - Love the idea, not great build quality, buggy USB - flakes out on ocassion Now that I've been typing on the Sculpt Ergonomic for well over a month now, I must say I absolutely love the feel of the keyboard. It is INCREDIBLY comfortable to type on. The key response is very fast, and the feel is just excellent. I type with fantastic accuracy and speed with this particular keyboard. Everything from writing emails, technical documents and programming, the keyboard is just excellent. Now, let me get into some of the details that people will find useful in making the decision for themselves.... Pros: - Key sizing and spacing are perfect for me (I'm a 6' guy with regular sized hands) - I love the tactile click of the chiclet style keys - very reminiscent of typing on an Apple keyboard - The wrist pad is very comfortable - The magnetically attached riser for the front is perfect for me - helps keep my hands at a good angle and height for typing - I love the magnetic battery / receiver cover - TINY USB receiver - I love how small it is (could be a problem if you forget where you put it though!) - Love the separate number pad - allows you to move your mouse closer to the keyboard - nice ergo feature - As mentioned, very responsive - Works perfectly with my Macbook Pro - I toyed with remapping the Windows key and the Alt key but it really doesn't take long to get used to them being switched - Love the split spacebar. So easy to hit with either thumb with a simple tap (not the same can be said on the Natural 4000) - Love the look and size of this thing - it's small, elegant and cool looking, IMO - COMFORTABLE!!! Absolutely no pain using this thing 9+ hours each day. Cons - these are not deal breakers to me...as a matter of fact, I love this keyboard so much I'm thinking about buying another one for my other computers to replace the Natural 4000 - The FN switch key - REALLY Microsoft?! C'mon - just give us a FN key like all other keyboards on the planet. I hate the switch key, but fortunately I never use it - would I use those keys more if not for the switch? Probably. But because of that annoyance I find that I'll just adjust the volume in the OS via the software or I'll learn the keystroke for doing a search, etc. So basically I leave mine set to the F-key setting and not the special keys and I just roll with them...irritating to be sure - F-keys are not grouped as with most other keyboards - being a programmer I use the function keys quite a bit, so it's taken a bit of relearning the feel of where the keys are. - Top row of F-keys and others are not the same style of key. They don't have that same "travel" feel that the rest of the keys on the keyboard have. It's annoying that they didn't use the same type of switches, but whatever. - Layout of the Delete, Insert, Page Up, Page Down, etc. - these are a brand new layout and for someone who's used to the standard groupings on keyboards from the past 20 years, this has definitely taken some getting used to. I still find that I'll hit the delete key when I'm reaching for something completely unrelated. I'm still not 100% good with these keys but I'm getting better. I use Home and End quite a bit and those have taken some getting used to. - Wish there was a backlit option for the keys To wrap this up...Honestly it should probably be a four star for the review, but I didn't want anyone to look at my review and think I'm on the fence with this thing. I LOVE THIS KEYBOARD. It's comfortable, it's fast, and I can use it with both my Windows and Apple computers. Of all the keyboards I've used in my life, and that's quite a few, this one is my favorite. Is it going to be for everyone, probably not because some of the cons above might actually be deal breakers for some, but for me, those tradeoffs are small in the pain relief and the enjoyment I get out of typing on this keyboard. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely. If they were to address the list of cons above, they'd have something beyond special. So really, this is probably a 4.5 star review for me, but I plan on buying another one soon!

I have been using a Logitech Illuminated Keyboard for the past 2 years for my business. That keyboard is amazing, but I have been getting hand/wrist pain as I typed pages after pages. As soon as MS has announced this Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard for Business, I had to get it. I caught this at a low price through Amazon for about $62. I waited for about a month to receive it and the wait was worth it. The keyboard comes in a non-retail kraft corrugated box (like they took the keyboard from the keyboard and mouse set) Upon taking the keyboard out from the box, it is VERY nicely designed in fact, it may be the most beautifully designed keyboard that I have ever seen. The keyboard comes with a reverse elevator rest in which magnetically hooks up to the bottom of the wrist rests. This helps to put your wrists rested on a more elevated level to avoid you hands positioned like you are playing the piano. I actually have the rest on all the time as I haven't felt pain since using this. Now there are some minor/major gripes and observations of this keyboard. 1.) No CAPS LOCK, Scroll Lock, Num Lock Lights on the keyboard. - If they took a Macbook like approach and embedded a LED on the Caps Lock key itself of have installed a row of 3 LED's somewhere on the unit, it would be perfect. Instead, it relies on "on-screen" prompts. It works, but the prompt box is SO tiny that it is almost useless. Plus, if you leave one of the locks on leave your desk and come back after a while, you cannot tell if any of the locks are on. 2.) Fn Toggle Switch. PITA! - I use Windows 8 and the Fn Keys are appreciated, but whoever thought of the Fn toggle switch should be fired. It is a pain in the neck to constantly switch back and forth to use either the F keys or the function keys. Why would they not put fast forward and rewind keys as part of Fn keys. I barely use the others. However, you get used to working out your fingers after a while. It may be a deal breaker for some. 3.) ESC, Fn/F1-12 Keys Top Row Buttons do not provide tactile feedback! - The top row keys (even on the number pad) are NOT the same as the main keys. They do not provide tactile, springy feedback and it feels very weird to use. It's like those cheap calculator buttons in which do not have springy tactile feel. Nonetheless, it works and so once you get used to it, it works. 4.) Placement of main QWERTY keys. - When you look at this keyboard, some keys like T, G, Y, H, N, 7 are narrow and wide. They are not flush in width. I guess the designers felt that some keys needed to be stretched so that they can be reached with ease due to the split design. At first, it was VERY difficult to use this keyboard due to the irregular widths of the keys. I was constantly hitting the comma button when I meant to hit the period button. However, with consistent use, it makes lots of sense. 5.) Wrist rest cushioning material. - The choice of the wrist rest material is controversial. It is of soft, spongy cushioned material. It literally feels like a padded North Face APEX jacket. If you have one of those jackets, you will know what I mean. The choice of this material is super poor. I've used this keyboard for about 2 weeks now and the wrist rests have become lighter in color in the places where the palms of my hands rest. I have a feeling that with constant use, this material will deteriorate and it will be time to test how good MS warranty is with this. This is my major gripe with this keyboard. Perhaps they could have just went with a different material like a rubberized plastic, orca skin or something? It works and the cushioning is comfortable, but I doubt this will last. Overall, this keyboard is beautiful, serves it's function and works very well. I've gotten lots of compliments from visitors, co-workers and what not. If the minor/major gripes that I outlined are something you can get past, then buy this keyboard with no remorse! I took off one star for the gripes, but most are inconveniences that can be overcome. I will update this review as I keep using this keyboard. I recommend this keyboard to anyone and it was a very good investment especially for my wrists and hands. UPDATE 4/3/14: The keyboard is still going strong. I am typing this update as well as the original review. It skips a beat from time to time, but that is because I have too many wireless machines running. It can cause interference and I am okay with that. Although I do not mash my keys when I type, I have a small crack on the left hand side of the F7 key. We will see what happens. UPDATE 4/30/2014: The keyboard has intermittent connection issues in which does not register CTRL + shortcuts too well and it makes me repeat the action causing delays and breaks in my workflow. I used this keyboard every days and type all day long. It now has 2 more cracks on the plastic panel. I stopped using it as I may have over-used it and switched over to a Das Keyboard 4. The difference is night and day. Although I miss the ergonomic setup, the typing experience is amazing on the DK4.

The operation rocks. Best keyboard I've ever used. I don't have a problem with pain while typing, I like these split keyboards for speed. I don't like the noise of mechanical keyboards. Quiet keyboards, like on laptops, are usually squishy keys and slow down the typing. This kind is a perfect combo of decent key travel, quiet operation, and just a joy to use. I've actually bought two of these. But I'm not buying one again, especially not from Amazon through Microsoft as the seller. Story Time: The first one I purchased went about a month before constantly going to sleep and not waking up until I'd remove/replace the batteries. Then it'd instantly connect and work fine until I stopped typing for like 30 seconds and go back to sleep. This seems like a software glitch so I did quite a bit of troubleshooting and searching online to solve this issue. After probably 3 hours over the span of a week I came up empty and finally started a tech support chat with Microsoft which was a heck of an adventure I never want to repeat. The initiation was mostly fine, took me a bit to figure out which Microsoft support site to refer to then get a chat with a human going. Then had to go through that rep's troubleshooting steps, same as what I'd already tried, but fine. It was determined I had a faulty unit and I was authorized to get a replacement which would involve me shipping this keyboard back to them then they'd send me a new one. Based on online reviews, I already knew that process would take many weeks so I actually ordered myself a new keyboard so I didn't have to wait because I liked it so much I wanted them for work and home. But before they'd let me ship it, I had to jump through some hoops. Send them proof of purchase, fine. Send them pics of the keyboard...kind of overkill for a $60 keyboard purchased within 30 days but whatever. Also I had to tell them the serial number and get a picture of it. Fine. Sent them their info. A few weeks later I get an email back saying the pictures I sent didn't show the serial# clearly enough and also didn't show the little USB wireless connector docked with the batteries which made them assume I wouldn't be sending it with the keyboard I guess? That serial number is TINY and nestled behind the batteries along a side. It's REALLY hard to get a clear photo of it. It's odd to me that if they wanted to prevent me playing shenanigans with returned a different keyboard than what I purchased that they couldn't just check that serial number after they got the keyboard back which I was to be shipped on my dime. But here we are. I was VERY annoyed at this point but I had already put the work in and wanted a working keyboard. Sent them their more detailed photos. Finally got a return authorization code and shipment address. Was asked to email this particular rep the shipping tracking info. I did. Haven't heard back from them for months. So I had to jump through several annoying hoops and errands to even get MS to replace my bad keyboard and months later am still waiting for it. But I HAD a good working version that I have purchased separately. Until today. After a few months of use, it started doing the same unresponsive sleep thing the first one did. I'm not going to spend another minute of my life on troubleshooting or trying to get Microsoft to do something about this defect. I'm giving up on this keyboard and buying keyboards from Amazon. If I did want to triple down on this thing I'll be getting it from Best Buy or somewhere that will simply trust me if I say it's not working and exchange it without making me go through a maze of dumb tasks and ship it to them at my own cost.

Excellent for the average office worker. Let me clarify. My job (govt atty) requires me to sit at a desk and type or use my computer to draft and edit documents for much of the day. When I'm not drafting and editing documents, I'm drafting and reading email. Or time sheets. Or spreadsheets. Or conducting legal research online. You get the idea. In my private life, though, I use my hands a LOT for fiddly stuff, like beadwork, knitting, sewing, cooking... Over the years it takes less and less for my wrists and hands to become sore from over use. So, my keyboard comfort is paramount! I've used an "ergo" keyboard since the mid 90s when I bought one for my Mac at home. Then for my PC at work. I've used Logitech, Microsoft, and even some long ago brand that I cannot recall the name of. The most comfortable to me are the keyboards that are slightly domed, and divided, so my hands point toward each other slightly, rather than face straight ahead, and the heels of my hands are slightly elevated, resting on a wrist rest of some sort. This one replaces a wireless Microsoft Natural 7000 keyboard from 2011, which feels similar, but not identical. How does the Sculpt compare? Terrific! I love that it's wireless. The split is at the right angle. I could do with a bit more of a dome or horizontal curve, but the curve on the Sculpt is fine. I particularly like that the number keypad is separate. In my work I don't often use the keypad, so a number pad attached to a keyboard wasted real estate on my keyboard tray, keeping me from centering my keyboard nicely. Without the number pad I can scoot the keyboard to the right a few inches, which makes a difference the way my desk and return are configured. The keys are nice and quiet, so my clicketty click isn't disturbing the my coworkers in this rabbit warren of an office. Much quieter, in fact, than the Natural. Still, the spring (return pressure? rebound?) in the keys is very good. My typing speed is quite rapid, and the keys pop back up and are ready to go when I need them. The wrist rest is just right! I'm sure if I were a better person I'd be able to hover my hands effortlessly over the keys, as a concert pianist would over her instrument. But I'm not, and I don't. My wrists are lazy and want to rest while my fingers do the typing. It doesn't seem that the rest (which is removable) would get in the way of you better people who don't rely on it. Another feature some might appreciate is the interface w Windows 10. Work recently configured our computers to that operating system, and the keyboard is ready for it. There are dedicated keys for the calculator, the "start" menu, and other features of the OS. I don't use those every day, but they're a nice time savings. Tap a key, rather than dig through the machine's menus. Based on reviews of the Sculpt mouse, I did not purchase the keyboard/mouse configuration. My five year old Logitech wireless ergo mouse works just fine with the Scuplt setup.

I'll list the highlights first, then get into the descriptive details for keyboard aficionados. PROS: - Size – compact, comparable to MS Elite - Arrow key configuration – standard - Key type – chiclet/laptop - Key noise – quiet, gentle “thunking” sound - Key tactile feedback – firm, satisfying - Key travel – a bit shallower than Elite but more than a Mac keyboard or many newer laptops. It reminds me how laptop keyboards were 10-15 years ago - Ergonomic curve – comparable to MS Elite, but even more comfortable - Detached num pad - Num pad backspace key - *Padded palm rest, feels a bit like suede (see note at end) - No dedicated media keys (there IS a Calculator key)–which I realize would be a con for some - Strong signal / dongle (NOT Bluetooth) - Detachable riser CONS: - Detached num pad - F key split between F6 and F7 - F key hard click - PgUp/PgDn/Insert key configuration UNKOWN: - Battery life First, I want to say how much I *LOVE* the arrow key configuration. I could write a freaking sonnet about how happy this arrow key config makes me! As is, I will just write a thorough review of all the reasons I am very pleased with this keyboard, and the few things I don’t care for much. I was trained to use keyboard shortcuts as a transcriptionist, including shift+arrow and CTRL+shift+arrow to move quickly through text while editing. The tiny diamond config arrow keys of the Elite keyboard have been the biggest problem for me since being trained/forced to work that way. You can’t easily keep the left hand on the CTRL and shift keys and the right hand on the arrows, using 3 fingers to easily arrow L, R, U and D without making a very tight, weird “claw” that gets uncomfortable quickly. I had to switch to the MS 4000, but that was too big–on my desk AND for my petite hands overall–and the keys got harder to push the older it got, which led me to replacing it with the Sculpt. I've had carpal tunnel syndrome (and surgery) -- and I'm educated in ergonomics and proper technique. This keyboard is the best investment I've made in an ergo keyboard since the MS Elites I bought years ago and which died. I have done a lot of research on ergo keyboards over the past 10 years. I’ve tried a couple different Kinesis boards. I’ve tried the Goldtouch Pro. I’ve used the MS 4000 extensively after the Elites were no longer available at my old employer. I’ve used an Elite at work and at home off and on since 1998 (20 years). It’s been my favorite keyboard, yet it’s so hard to find and expensive, it was tough to need a new ergo keyboard yet again and decide “now what will I do?” Recent research determined there are even fewer truly affordable choices for ACTUAL ergonomic keyboards than there were 10 years ago. There aren’t many under $300, and even fewer under $100. Finding this one under $75 and ending up loving it was pleasantly surpising. Most of the actual ergo boards are mechanical (clicky) keys, which I cannot stand anymore. I used to love how they felt when typing, and the sound didn’t bug me. But when you listen to people talk 8 hours a day for a living, and your employer rates you on how accurately you hear them, you really need to eliminate other noises which can interfere with that–but I digress! My research led me to the MS Sculpt being the closest in size to the MS Elite, and it had the traditional arrow key configuration which was top of my list of “must haves” as I scoured the interwebs for my options. I have been using the Sculpt for a couple months at home for light business and personal use. It is quite solid, which surprised me given its slim profile. Despite its low profile, it still achieves good ergonomic positioning. It has a detachable riser for the front. I hate those things, but I know a lot of people like them. MS was nice enough to give us the option on this, like with the MS 4000. Its keys are flat, WITHOUT sharp edges that so many chiclet keys have these days. They are low profile but sturdy, like a high end laptop used to feel. They feel a little further apart than the MS Elite keys (which I currently have at work again), but I haven't actually measured or compared them side by side. It's very slight, though. Not enough to throw me off more than a few seconds as I get acclimated again each time I sit down at it. It’s a nice compromise between the MS Elite and the MS 4000. The only keys I am still getting used to are the Delete, Insert, PgUp, and PgDn keys–and if I wasn’t switching back and forth between the Elite at work and Sculpt at home, I probably wouldn’t still be struggling. Essentially, this keyboard combines the standard arrow configuration of the MS 4000 with the relative size and curvature of the MS Elite, and the key style and feedback of a well-constructed laptop of the late 90s. The membrane switches are stiff enough to give good feedback without requiring pressing too hard. The detached num pad is a bone of contention for some users, and I can't quite decide how I feel about it. Sometimes I like that it's detached and I can move it up when I know I won't need it, moving my mouse closer to the keyboard (reduces neck/shoulder/arm fatigue). Sometimes I need to use it, and I can pull it back into position beside the keyboard. But sometimes I forget and grab both ends--like I would my MS Elite--to reposition it, and it doesn't work. It annoys me a bit that I can't pick "it" up because "it" is a "them"... and I have to pull them back toward me. I have a tendency to push them a little bit forward as I work because my work surface at home is a rather slick table. I am going to get an extra-large mouse pad type thing to put under the whole keyboard and mouse. I have one at work under my Elite, and other than when I bump it with my chair or something, it never moves. Given how well the MS Sculpt stays in place on the "slickery" table, I am confident the mat will solve my issues as well as the one at work did with the Elite. So, once I do that, I think my overall feeling about the separate num pad will be that it’s actually more helpful than annoying. One VERY cool positive that this num pad has, which many do not, is the BACKSPACE key at the top right. I freaking LOVE when keyboards have that! It also has a Calculator key to launch that app. It’s the closest thing to a media key this set has. I know a lot of people love media keys, but I loathe them. They’re a waste of space for me. I don’t use them except when I unintentionally bump one. I’m glad this keyboard doesn’t have them. It makes the keyboard more compact, and it keeps me from wasting time closing programs I don’t use. The media keys are integrated with the F keys, and you slide a tab to select regular F key use or secondary use of media keys, monitor settings, etc. The F key issues are minimal for me. I quickly get used to the fact that the F keys are split like the actual number keys – between 6 and 7 – instead of between 5 and 6. Again, it’s mostly an issue because I am switching between a Sculpt at home and an Elite at work. However, given how much I love the Sculpt, and the fact that I have had several problems with keys on my Elite activating as I typed and edited this–I will probably be replacing my work keyboard with a Sculpt really soon! Battery life is difficult to judge. I’ve had it a couple months, and I use it between 8-24 hours a week. Haven’t had to change batteries yet. If I don’t have to change it for 3 more months, I’ll be satisfied. Two AAA batteries every 3-6 mos is fine with me. I’ll try to remember to update the review after I’ve had it longer, or after I have experience using one at work, which would be extensive use 8-9 hours daily, 5 days a week. Overall, I am extremely satisfied with this keyboard, and I wish I'd gotten one sooner! I have spent SO much money on ergo keyboards over the years, though, which were such disappointments, I was quite gun-shy on trying this one. I'm quite glad I took the leap, though. Also -- I highly recommend getting a “Protection Plan” on this, or any electronic item you invest more than $50 in and NEED to have. For a few extra bucks, you can get easy, hassle-free replacements of products. Electronics are like the people who make them -- imperfect, and occasionally you come across one that's a dud. I figure that if you're spending over $50 on a keyboard, it's because you are choosy enough or have physical needs which require something specific. The protection plan is an investment in your own peace of mind, health, and well-being. A few bucks for a guaranteed replacement if it goes belly up? Worth it. *Padded Palm Rest “PRO”– Palm and wrist rests are only supposed to be used for pauses *between* typing and mousing, not for resting or pressing on while performing the actions. While this keyboard’s lightly padded, synthetic leathery feel is nice, you should NOT actually rest your palms on it WHILE typing. That is how I exacerbated my carpal tunnel syndrome to the point of needing surgery–by subconsciously pressing on the palm rest while typing. The more busy and stressed I was, the harder I pressed. AFTER my CTR surgery, I realized I had been doing that, and I retrained myself to stop it. I also had an ergonomic specialist consultation (thanks to my employer!), and they told me my fingers should dangle from my hands, which should be held above the keys, with my arms at a 90-degree angle (L-shape) as seen from the side. Rest between typing only. If you need support, get a chair with arms or get arm supports that attach to your desk. The support under your forearms can relieve a lot of shoulder/neck tension and strain. But that’s too much weight to put on small points such as the wrists or palms.

I bought this keyboard due to wrist pain I have been experiencing while typing lately (I spend most of my work day on a keyboard and mouse). My hope was that this keyboard would help alleviate the wrist pain, which it has to an extent. Here is the good and bad with this keyboard: PROS: - This definitely did seem to help with my wrist pain issues, even after just two weeks. - The keyboard is easy and comfortable to use. CONS: - It takes some getting used to, which is to be expected. I am still getting used to it, and maybe my opinion will improve as I gain more experience with it. - The function keys don't depress in the same manner as the other keys, which I don't like. I use a lot of function keys in my daily use, and I just don't like the feel of depressing the ones on here. I like consistency across the keys, and I'm not sure why the function keys have a different method than the other keys. They don't really depress as much as click. I like that feeling of knowing that I pressed the key, and I don't get that with the function keys here. If you use the function keys a lot in your work, this could be an issue for you. - In addition, the function keys don't always work unless you press them perfectly in the middle each time. If you press on the end or in a corner (not in the middle) you will get the feel that it was pressed (it will click), but it won't actually register. This probably happens to me about 3 times a day in the average work day. - I frequently wind up inadvertently pressing a combination of keys that activates some short cut, forcing the computer to do something I don't want. Just in typing this review alone I have three times now inadvertently activated a set of keystrokes that opened a new blank tab on my browser and took me to it. Several times a day while typing emails I will inadvertently activate the "select-all" short-cut, and then when I resume my typing after unknowingly doing so it winds up deleting the entire text of the email (thank heavens for "undo"). I think this issue has to do with the placement of shift key, because it always seems to happen when I need to use the shift key to capitalize a letter. The shift and control keys on this keyboard are setup in a little different positioning than my old keyboard, and the control key on this one is quite large (square as opposed to rectangular on my old keyboard). I think I am inadvertently hitting the control key instead of the shift key, and this is what is making my next key stroke, in conjunction with the control key, activate whatever shortcut is associated with that letter. It is very frustrating. I probably inadvertently activate short-cuts twenty times a day. Maybe (hopefully) that will go away as I gain more experience on this keyboard and get more used to it. But I never used to inadvertently activate short-cuts on my old keyboard, so I am a bit concerned. - I only have this keyboard at my office, and from home I type on my laptop. Last night I had to type on my laptop for the first time since getting this keyboard and I found it very difficult. It seems I'm currently in a position of not being totally used to this new keyboard yet, but used to it enough that it has screwed up my ability to type effectively on regular keyboards. If you are someone who will have to frequently still use a normal keyboard on a regular basis, you might want to consider that issue before moving in this direction - it could cause some frustration. Overall, I purchased this to relieve my wrist pain, and it has helped with that. I can feel the pain lightly right now as I type this, but I know if I was on a regular keyboard the pain would be 5x worse. Whether I keep using this keyboard or not remains to be seen. It may come down to whether I can accept the cons above in exchange for some wrist pain relief. I will give it a few more weeks, and then make a decision I guess. I've attached a picture of the shift-control key placement on this keyboard vs. my old so you can see the difference in setup that is causing issues, at least for me.