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Add to SafariWhen comparing Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 vs TypeMatrix 2030, the Slant community recommends Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is ranked 12th while TypeMatrix 2030 is ranked 22nd. The most important reason people chose Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is:
The 4000 keyboard is designed to be more comfortable to type on than regular rectangular keyboards. Its key rows curve to match the human hands’ angled resting position, eliminating the wrist strain that happens with regular keyboards. This is an important factor in reducing the risk of injury.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Ergonomic and comfortable
The 4000 keyboard is designed to be more comfortable to type on than regular rectangular keyboards. Its key rows curve to match the human hands’ angled resting position, eliminating the wrist strain that happens with regular keyboards. This is an important factor in reducing the risk of injury.
Pro Great value for money
With a retail price of $39.04, this keyboard is considerably more affordable than most ergonomic keyboards on the market. It doesn’t have the same caliber as more premium keyboards, but it’s a top option for those on a budget who are looking for a good ergonomic option.
Pro Can be used with a negative tilt
While the 4000 keyboard can be raised at the back like conventional keyboards, it also comes with a detachable platform that raises the front of the keyboard. This creates a negative tilt more natural to the arm-hand alignment.
Pro Ergonomic wrist support
Foam cushions support one’s wrists while typing, preventing “hanging hands,” which can cause fatigue over extended periods.
Pro Great for people with big hands
Due to its size, this keyboard is great for those who have big hands.
Pro Several additional, personalizable keys
This keyboard has hotkeys for things like media control, zoom or launching applications. The function keys also have secondary functions, activated by an F-lock key. Some of them are customizable via a companion app (for Windows and macOS) that ships with the keyboard.
Pro Key swapping for macOS
On macOS, users have the option of swapping the Windows and Alt keys, so they match the Option and Command key order found on standard Apple keyboards, even if no alternate keycaps or stickers are provided for use with this OS.
Pro Standard ancillary key layout
The number pad, the arrow keys, Insert, Home etc. are all in their standard positions which is not common on Ergonomic keyboards.
Pro Ergonomic keyboard
The matrix layout reduces the travel distance of fingers. The keys feature membrane switches with double-scissor substrate, which are quite comfortable and very quiet.
Pro The HOME, END, ARROW keys and PG UP, PG Down are close together and on a nice spot on the keyboard.
Pro Compact
This keyboard has a small footprint, only 324 by 133 mm. This not only leaves more room on the desk, but also and mainly reduces the lateral travel distance of the right hand to grab the mouse. It still offers a good numeric keypad thanks to the matrix layout.
Pro Skins
Numerous skins are available, making it simple to keep the keyboard clean and even quieter. They also allow for multiple layouts.
Pro Increased typing accuracy
This keyboard's matrix layout allows for increased typing accuracy. It gets rid of the typewriter keyboard legacy in favor of a more logical layout.
Pro BÉPO and Dvorak layouts
These layouts are not easy to find, especially the first one. While they don't necessarily increase the typing speed, they greatly reduce the travel distance of the fingers, and have a much better distribution of the keys than regular AZERTY or QWERTY layouts.
Cons
Con The space bar is hard to press
While it's new, the space bar needs quite some force to be pressed down.
Con No mechanical switches
The 4000 keyboard uses the same traditional rubber dome switches found on common keyboards, unlike the mechanical switches found on many other good programming keyboards. Rubber dome switches are inconsistent and always need to be bottomed out with each key press. They are also not especially durable, lasting about a quarter of the time their mechanical counterparts last. It should be noted this switch option is one of the main reasons why this keyboard is so affordable.
Con Key printing gets erased after a short time
After 2 or 3 months of use, the most used keys loose their printed symbols.
Con Not very portable
With external dimensions of 19.8’’ x 10.3’’ x 3.26’’ (503 mm x 262 mm x 82.8 mm) and weighing 2.9 pounds (1.3 kg), this keyboard is not easy to carry around.
Con Noisy
Despite not using mechanical switches, the 4000 keyboard is quite noisy, so it’s not the best pick for those looking for a silent option.
Con Key layout is hard to reconfigure
It's hard to reconfigure the 4000's default key layout. Some users would like to have the option of moving a few keys around, which is very difficult with this keyboard.
Con No USB ports
Can't connect any external devices, since there aren't any USB ports.
Con Almost all the keys are hard to press
The keys can feel too rigid due to the force needed to press them down. This hinders the typing process, making it less fluid.
Con Most of the extra functionality keys are not supported on macOS
This keyboard has a lot of extra functionality keys useful for daily tasks, like media controls or back/forward keys. Unfortunately, most of them are not supported on macOS, even after driver installation.
Con Only solves some RSI problems
While this does help with many RSI problems, it still has the ergonomic disadvantages of a standard keyboard layout.
Con No right hand Windows key
There is no right hand Windows key.
Con The skins won't last forever and are expensive to replace
Con Unusual layout
The central position of the Enter and Backspace keys, on top of the matrix arrangement, requires some time to get used to.
