The time I spend on my computer daily is probably more than any other activity and I have come to realized the importance of ergonomics. Having a combination of good computer chair, a proper computer table with keyboard tray, and of course an ergonomic keyboard and mouse is very important. I have been using the wired Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 for many years and it allows me to rest my wrists against the plush palm rest in a relaxed, natural angle with this keyboard’s curved key bed, ergonomic arc, and reversed slope. As for the mouse, I use a simple USB Microsoft optical wheel mouse that is also wired.
I have to admit that I didn’t like all the wires going around my table because it looks messy and untidy. So I searched for alternative and found that Microsoft has another model called Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 which features the same keyboard as the 4000 without the wires and it comes together with a Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 which is very similar to the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 sold individually. Unfortunately I couldn’t find anyone selling the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 in Malaysia, so I searched in eBay. Found a seller from UK, paid for it but after 2 months I was refunded because they wasn’t able to send it to Malaysia. Then this time I ordered from US and I just received it after waited for nearly 2 weeks. For your information, there is no custom import tax when you buy computer parts from overseas.
There is no problem with the keyboard because it is the same as the old which I am very comfortable because of the ergonomic design that encourages natural wrist and arm alignment so I can work without discomfort.
As for the mouse, it is something very new to me. Instead of putting your whole hand on top of the mouse, the mouse included in the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 fits my hand as naturally as a handshake. While it is logical but there is one small problem and that is the mouse being too big/high and I find it hard to accurately move the mouse cursor to where I want to. I guess this is the reason why it is not sold in Malaysia as we Asians have smaller hands.
Another con is it uses 2 double A batteries to power up the mouse and keyboard. I could use rechargeable batteries but it is a hassle to take out, recharge and put it back again. I am sure there will be times when I forget to charge the batteries after using it the whole day. I can’t give away the mouse because I am using the receiver for the keyboard and Microsoft don’t sell the receiver separately.
My verdict on Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000: Love the keyboard but hate the mouse. I wished Microsoft sold the wireless version of Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 separately.
P/S: I am still in the hunt for a good and ergonomic mouse. Modern mouse such as Razer Mamba are far more advanced as it uses rechargeable lithion-ion battery, has dual mode (Wired & Wireless) and more responsive but the price is twice more expensive. Do you think the Razer Mamba is worth buying?
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I bought it from a trusted eBay seller from US that ships internationally.
HI, You said you bought the Ergonomics 7000 from States. May I know which website did you order from> I am looking for the same and was told that Microsoft US doesnt ship out anything other than within the States.
After reading this post, I actually went out and bought the 4000 version. :)
@kalyana: Go to Razer’s official website and you’ll see that the Mamba belongs to the “ergonomic” category.
What is this, i the end you want a ergonomic mouse or a gaming mouse. I used play games heavily, to the extent like overnight, non stop 2 days etc etc. Now I have a hand that pains heavily, not because of gaming but after I came out of college and am working now. I have the same keyboard, but a different mouse. Everytime I buy that set in ebay india the seller doesn’t properly send it and then ebay refunds the money. Its such a hassle. I guess I will buy the mouse somewhere else, but the MS laser mouse is the best. Its very good for your hand.
I’m personally using a RAT7, though the RAT9 is wireless and a DAS Keyboard, which is wired only. Both of which I love and will definitely buy again if the products break down.
You can purchase another MS wireless mouse & change the mouse properties in control panel, then u ‘reset’ on the receiver and mouse
Have you seen Logitech M570 trackball? I have an older version and I find it really confy.
Hello, Raymond.
If you’re looking for a truly ergonomic mouse, forget Microsoft, Logitech or any other “well-known” trademark. The only thing these companies do is to give a futuristic look to the old and obsolete design of the mice since they were invented. When you see an ergonomic mouse with scroll wheel in the middle of the two main buttons, you can realize that ergonomics is a lie.
There are several concepts with respect to ergonomic mouses.
One called Orthomouse is the concept I like the most. Size adaptable to the size of the hand (with accessories). The buttons are accidental-clicks proof, and it takes only 10% of the force necessary to press the buttons, compared to the force required to operate the traditional mouse buttons. The scroll wheel is replaced with buttons that are handled with the thumb (this is useless for gamers). Another drawback is that it has a sensitivity of only 800 dpi and I do not think they have a wireless model.
Here’s the official product page and a video demonstration.
orthovia.com.br/
youtube.com/watch?v=QoWkdtWeR8c
There is also the concept of vertical mice.
ergocanada.com/products/mice/quill.html
ergocanada.com/products/mice/ztm.html
I believe that everything is to try and see what fits your needs. But in this particular case can be quite expensive.
PS: I’ve been a “passive follower” of your blog for years. Keep up your great work!!
Why is it when people review mice that they never state whether they is a left hand version it should be remembered that we are at least one in ten in the population. Although I’ve always liked the looked of the Microsoft 7000 keyboard when I tried to use similar designs I have a problem as I taught myself to touch type many years ago for an old Pitman’s manual when the fingering was different. So I keep on hitting what I think is a space key between the two halves of the keyboard.
I couldn’t believe the difference when I first got an ergonomic keyboard. I do currently use the wired Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, a tad expensive when I first got it but SO worth it. As for mice I still use this
amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Wheel-Mouse-Optical-White/dp/B000E1Z4UQ
I’ve heard good things about mice with a trackball so I’m going to have a look around. One thing I’ve wondered about is the charging method for wireless mice, do you have to plug it in EVERY NIGHT and then unplug it EVERY DAY? That is something that would get on my nerves slowly but surely over time.
Something that has a charging dock like a cordless toothbrush would be excellent.
i have the KB/M combo form logitech the k520.
it also uses AA batts i bought rechargeable for it.
i have been using it for about a 1/2 year and the batts still have about 3/4 charge and i use the KB/M almost all day (12+ hours /day). BTW i only payed $50 +- usa.
and about $15.or $20. for the batterys and charger.
@gregory
Could you put up a picture of your trackball mounted on a metal stand?
I’ve been using the Microsoft Wireless 1000 Desktop Set for years. It doesn’t have as ergonomic of a keyboard as yours, but I like it. I have always liked the mouse very much, and it is of a different design than the one you have–much lower, and you can rest your hand on it. It uses 2 AA batteries, but I only have to change them about every 6 months, even though it doesn’t have an off switch or auto shut off—they just last that long. I use rechargeable batteries and don’t consider changing them every 6 months a hassle. If you watch for sales on them, like at buy.com, you can find the set for as low as $20 US including shipping (within the US, not sure how much extra to ship overseas). You can use the mouse and have an extra keyboard for emergencies. The only possible issue is that it has a very large receiver, not a small dongle, but since the cord to the receiver is long, you can put it anywhere you want. I got one for my computer illiterate uncle and it was then sold directly from buy.com, not a 3rd party as it is in the following link.
buy.com/prod/microsoft-wireless-optical-desktop-1000-microsoft-wireless-optical/q/loc/101/10393056.html
I just looked it up on ebay and found it for $23 including shipping, but they want an additional $40 to ship it to Malaysia. OK, maybe my idea needs some re-thinking LOL
I have the Razer Mamba, it’s excellent. I use it mainly for gaming so I don’t mind the outlay of extra cash. It’s a very nice mouse.
Use sanyo enelopp NiMh battery 2000mAH. 5x better life than ordinary NiCad battery.
Some mouse takes lot of energy from battery. I had a a double A mouse of Logitech EX90 wireless combo. My buttery go out in a week. Then I transfered to sanyo, got more than a month.
lol !! SMALL HAND HUGE MOUSE
try rs.150(india) small mouse am using it! has been running since 3 yrs not a scratch still!!
[Note: its chinese so word of caution : dont drop it! :try not opening it as long as possible : anyway at 125hz not bad for browsing or sniping but quake type requires more ]
now if it breaksdown you have enough money left to buy another!
(i would take a razor anytime though! :) )
1. You can plug in several USB mice at a time, and only use the one you like.
2. I keep 2 rechargeable batteries in the charger and two in my wireless mouse. When the time comes, I just swap them.
3. Keeping batteries in the charger for a long time wears them out sooner than leaving them on a shelf.
4. Some people don’t realize that wireless peripherals still use a USB slot, and find they run out of slots. They don’t like it when I tell them they need a place to plug in the wire for their wireless mouse.
I’m a sucker for MS material… for instance, I have a Natural Keyboard Elite (this is wired) that I still use today… since (way) before 1998!! :)
(Look… what a this beauty (amazon.com/Microsoft-A11-00337-Natural-Keyboard-Elite/dp/B0000642RX/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306829235&sr=1-1)… mine is still PS2… I have to connect to a converter to have it working on USB ports!) :)
I have a Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 (MS, of course) for some 4 years maybe… this one is more or less what you want… it’s wireless… and you have a recharging base.
(amazon.com/Microsoft-Wireless-Rechargeable-Laser-Windows/dp/B0011FCV8W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306828823&sr=1-1)
Very recently I bought another MS mouse but… WIRED even so…. it’s excellent. It’s MS Comfort Mouse 6000 (amazon.com/Microsoft-Comfort-Mouse-6000-S7J-00001/dp/B004RPSGIC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1306828968&sr=1-1).
I have one other possibility for you (MS, of course) ;)… if you go to the gamming range from MS, you’ll find the SideWinder X8… it’s wireless… but if you need to recharge it… you can do it while you do it!!! :D
I already had a few mouses, orelse I may well have bought this one also!! ;) :D
(amazon.com/Microsoft-3HA-00001-SideWinder-X8-Mouse/dp/B001FA1SIM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1306828543&sr=8-1)
But this is me… a sucker for MS hardware!! :)
I must have spent hundreds of dollars on so-called ergonomic mice over the years including digital pens but I still had trouble with pain in my arm and wrist especially while entering hours of data into spreadsheets. I ended up making my own and have been pain free for 2 years. I simply bought a logitech trackball and mounted it vertically on a metal stand, my wrist stays straight, my thumb upwards on the trackball. Radius and Ulna are straight not twisted as when using a normal mouse. Pen mice are fine but even a bamboo takes some getting used to unlike a trackball.
Razer Mamba looks a nice mouse, i dont own one so I CANT SEND IT TO YOU, but Although diodes on the side indicate the State of charge. Razer has thought about everything. Just then connect the USB cable of the basement on the mouse who becomes wired and will recharge the mouse. I think latency out of PC standby mode. Whenever you return to your PC, must shake the mouse and wait long seconds to regain control. UP to you to decide it can be a good adventure.
I do believe that the Razer mouse is worth it only if it is to your liking. If you don’t like it don’t get it. I also suggest a mechanical keyboard if you want something ergonomic, but the price hike is substantial compared to Microsoft keyboards. There’s a ton of options, so check them all out.
Hi, and thanks for your useful thoughts.
Use the keyboard but why not substitute the mouse with a digital pen, like the Bamboo ?
Pens are far more natural devices to anybody than mouses and you quickly feel at home.
No one has ever had a carpal tunnel syndrome from a pen.
I too spend all my hours at the computer and when I switched I found it more relaxing.
Best regards
Alex
I don’t think you should worry about purchasing a Mamba if you have the chance to return it upon disliking it.
It’s best to use if you draw and play games on your own time.