Features
-
107 Keys
-
2 Built in USB Ports
-
Hot Key Labels on the front of
keys
-
Keyboard Power Management
Control
-
Control-Key Shortcuts
-
Built in Ergonomic Wrist Rest
-
Split Keyboard Design
-
Windows Compatibility
-
Windows 9x
-
Win Me
-
Windows 2000
-
Windows XP
-
Lifetime Warranty
Installation - Simple Plug
and Play. The keyboard and onboard USB hub were immediately recognized by Win XP. No driver installation required.
Performance - I have been
using a Microsoft Ergo board ever since they were introduced a few years
back. Although, I prefer the Ergo keyboard layout, I was never overjoyed
with the Microsoft Natural
Keyboard Pro, especially at the price I had to pay. I never used
the feature keys on the Natural Pro so the lack of them on the ErgoPro didn't
bother me in the least.
The Belkin board does have Power,
Sleep and Wake keys that I managed to get working by changing 2 settings in the
BIOS. Depending on the age and BIOS capabilities of your system you may or
may not be able to get the power keys to function correctly.
The action of the ErgoPro keyboard
is responsive and smooth.
The keys depress with an easy, exact touch and reset quickly. The wrist rest is wide enough for large
hands and an appropriate angle is built into the board. No height or angle
adjustment is
necessary or possible.
I got the hang of this new keyboard very
quickly.
Although, the deeply recessed USB
ports on the keyboard are a bit inconvenient for plugging and unplugging, the
onboard USB hub performed as expected, supporting a Belkin USB Optical Mouse and
a HP 970 Inkjet printer.
The only real problem I had was
becoming accustomed to the correct placement of the number 6 key :) The
MS Natural Pro has the F6 key incorrectly placed at the split
Test
Pros -
Well made, solid feel, good keyboard layout with all keys in the right
places. Solid USB hub.** Reasonable Price. Lifetime Warranty
Cons - The
USB ports are too deeply recessed at the back of the keyboard which makes plugging and unplugging
USB devices
a bit of a pain.
Conclusion
A solid, well made keyboard with a
nice look, a good feel and a great warranty. The new ErgoBoard Pro has
been on my desktop for the last 2 months and will remain permanent fixture.
Two thumbs up!
Editors Note:
* Requires correct
Bios and/or motherboard jumper settings
** ALL USB keyboard
and monitor hubs provide 100mA of power and support Low Power USB devices such
as mice and self-powered printers. High Power USB devices like web cams,
digital cameras, scanners, and card readers which require more than
100mA of power to operate can NOT be connected to ANY USB keyboard or monitor
hub.
Belkin
Website
MS
Natural Pro Review
Stephen
Roberts
12-15-2001
Hardware Editor
USBMan®
