Was just on their site this morning and see they now only list the newer 3000. It's too bad. When I was looking for a smaller, sleeker keyboard to replace my Natural Ergo 4000 with, I didn't want to go back to a totally straight keyboard, and the Comfort Desktop 5000 (same layout as the Comfort Curve 2000) was perfect - low profile keys, good layout, slight 6-degree tilt. The Comfort Curve 2000 as the standalone keyboard version was enormously popular for these reasons and for being cheap. Now the new Comfort Curve 3000, while I have not used it, definitely doesn't look to be suitable. The main thing that looks off is the WASD keys positioning which looks to make it very unfit for playing games. I've always liked Microsoft's peripherals designs and was really glad they offered a "comfort" layout in between straight and full split, I will be disappointed if this layout propagates to their wireless offerings.
Looks like Microsoft has discontinued the Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 :(
- Thread starter antef
- Start date
Throckmorton
Lifer
- Aug 23, 2007
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There are much better options. Microsoft invented (AFAIK) those split keyboards, but they messed up and left the keys offset like a typewriter.
Get a split keyboard with aligned keys like this:
http://www.trulyergonomic.com/
Get a split keyboard with aligned keys like this:
http://www.trulyergonomic.com/
There are much better options. Microsoft invented (AFAIK) those split keyboards, but they messed up and left the keys offset like a typewriter.
Get a split keyboard with aligned keys like this:
http://www.trulyergonomic.com/
That doesn't look too bad! I've seen some pretty weird ones, but that one looks reasonable. Didn't see any prices on the website though. I'm very happy with my Comfort Desktop 5000, plus I need a wireless set because I frequently switch back and forth between two computers. I'm just disappointed to see Microsoft's new "comfort" design have this particular key layout. The previous design was simple and pretty nice.
I am curious what other keyboards people use who don't want regular straight ones.
GoStumpy
Golden Member
- Sep 14, 2011
- 1,211
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My neighbor just gave me a keyboard to use, all mine are PS/2 and I needed a USB keyboard... Ends up he gave me a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 
What are the chances!
LOVING IT! Best keyboard I've ever used bar none. I don't think I'll ever give this one up... Except perhaps to try a mechanical...
What are the chances! LOVING IT! Best keyboard I've ever used bar none. I don't think I'll ever give this one up... Except perhaps to try a mechanical...
My neighbor just gave me a keyboard to use, all mine are PS/2 and I needed a USB keyboard... Ends up he gave me a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000
LOVING IT! Best keyboard I've ever used bar none. I don't think I'll ever give this one up... Except perhaps to try a mechanical...
What is the appeal of mechanical? It seems like there would be more resistance in the keys which doesn't sound like a good thing. Also loud and clackety. Some of the things I love most about the Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard (and likewise the Comfort Curve 2000) are its low profile keys with little resistance and its silence. I feel like I can fly across the keyboard much faster than I could with something with taller, stiffer keys.
Throckmorton
Lifer
- Aug 23, 2007
- 16,829
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People like mechanicals because they give more tactile feedback. You press, and the key snaps downward at a certain point. I prefer short travel laptop keyboards.
Throckmorton
Lifer
- Aug 23, 2007
- 16,829
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WOW... they offset the top row even more than standard. It's bad enough we are stuck with the stupid offset rows to begin with, when we should have aligned keys, but why would MS make it WORSE?
Yeah I do as well, it seems to provide for faster typing with a lighter touch.
WOW... they offset the top row even more than standard. It's bad enough we are stuck with the stupid offset rows to begin with, when we should have aligned keys, but why would MS make it WORSE?
Yep that's the main issue here, I don't understand it. And it kills WASD.
Comfort Curve 2000s are still commonly available; Buy.com (amongst a million other vendors) will happily ship one to you for $19 or so.
Yeah, that's not the problem, they still sell my Comfort Desktop 5000 as well, it's just disappointing to see their design move in this direction. Makes me wonder what designs I'll like in the future in between straight and full split. Other than MS's offerings the only thing even remotely close to this is the Logitech Wave.
People are asking about alternative keyboard layout types. I've been using these Kinesis ergonomic keyboards since 1995. I can't even use standard keyboards, as a typist that is.
Standard keyboards send me into "hunt & peck" mode, because some of the most used keys are in completely different locations. The finger-reaches are primarily straight-lined instead of diagonal (like some other models that are posted here earlier), the hand positions are spread apart, thus avoiding the turned wrists and the keys are set into bowl-like depressions more closely fitting the differing lengths of our fingers.
When I first saw them in Computer Shopper Magazine, I called Kinesis and they mailed me some info - including a to-scale size diagram of the key layout. When I put it on my desk, and set my hands on it - it was more comfortable. When I put my hands back over the standard keyboard, the tension in my wrists was promptly noticeable - something I had taken for granted before I had any alternate to compare with.
It took about two weeks of typing practice, about 20 minutes, twice per day to really get adjusted to the finger-reaches. That - and all the major utility keys placed under the thumbs are why it's so completely different when I have to use someone else's standard keyboard.
They are expensive ... about $350 depending on models (they were around $250 in '95) - and they tend to be a little cheaper from aftermarket suppliers than from Kinesis themselves. I bought one of the black "Advantage" models, used, on eBay for $150 - it had some keycaps missing - easily replaceable at Kinesis.
There are programmable models which are the most expensive. They are (all) switch-able between QUERTY and DVORAK key layouts. Kinesis has program-able foot switches too, to aid with alternative moves. I tried their early one switch model to use for the Shift keys, but I never got adjusted to using my foot accordingly.
I have two (black) "Advantage" models in use (like the picture included here) and one semi-retired, white, Ergo model (because it's broken and I don't have 3 computers, so there's no rush to repair it -> that was my first Kinesis keyboard). Long after the warranty expired Kinesis refurbished it for $50 - it was like new. New key switches are really like getting a new keyboard. The black models don't need as much cleaning, of course.
The only thing I dislike is that the SHIFT keys are still in the standard positions - and my pinky fingers are not too strong at my age and in arthritic condition - and, as I mentioned earlier, my foot switch use attempt wasn't good (although that could be partly due to my keyboard shelf position, which is right above my lap - on my home-built computer desk). A new setup is in my next summer's plan, so I may reconsider using foot switches after that's done.
As to the Shift keys remaining in standard positions, I guess they didn't want to crowd yet another pair of keys into the central utility key clusters where the the CTRL, ALT, Delete, Backspace, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Enter and Space keys are located. Those are all thumb-moves on these keyboards. I must say, after almost 20 years using these, I'm stuck on them.
I have had them ALL apart to clean the insides, even replace key switches, repair some of the inner parts, solder ribbon cables back into place, patch up broken plastic mounting pegs inside. Some of this more major repair was after a bookshelf collapsed and partly crushed the key switch wells on my first "Ergo" white model.
Have fun looking - it's kind of a different world for typing.
Standard keyboards send me into "hunt & peck" mode, because some of the most used keys are in completely different locations. The finger-reaches are primarily straight-lined instead of diagonal (like some other models that are posted here earlier), the hand positions are spread apart, thus avoiding the turned wrists and the keys are set into bowl-like depressions more closely fitting the differing lengths of our fingers.
When I first saw them in Computer Shopper Magazine, I called Kinesis and they mailed me some info - including a to-scale size diagram of the key layout. When I put it on my desk, and set my hands on it - it was more comfortable. When I put my hands back over the standard keyboard, the tension in my wrists was promptly noticeable - something I had taken for granted before I had any alternate to compare with.
It took about two weeks of typing practice, about 20 minutes, twice per day to really get adjusted to the finger-reaches. That - and all the major utility keys placed under the thumbs are why it's so completely different when I have to use someone else's standard keyboard.
They are expensive ... about $350 depending on models (they were around $250 in '95) - and they tend to be a little cheaper from aftermarket suppliers than from Kinesis themselves. I bought one of the black "Advantage" models, used, on eBay for $150 - it had some keycaps missing - easily replaceable at Kinesis.
There are programmable models which are the most expensive. They are (all) switch-able between QUERTY and DVORAK key layouts. Kinesis has program-able foot switches too, to aid with alternative moves. I tried their early one switch model to use for the Shift keys, but I never got adjusted to using my foot accordingly.
I have two (black) "Advantage" models in use (like the picture included here) and one semi-retired, white, Ergo model (because it's broken and I don't have 3 computers, so there's no rush to repair it -> that was my first Kinesis keyboard). Long after the warranty expired Kinesis refurbished it for $50 - it was like new. New key switches are really like getting a new keyboard. The black models don't need as much cleaning, of course.
The only thing I dislike is that the SHIFT keys are still in the standard positions - and my pinky fingers are not too strong at my age and in arthritic condition - and, as I mentioned earlier, my foot switch use attempt wasn't good (although that could be partly due to my keyboard shelf position, which is right above my lap - on my home-built computer desk). A new setup is in my next summer's plan, so I may reconsider using foot switches after that's done.
As to the Shift keys remaining in standard positions, I guess they didn't want to crowd yet another pair of keys into the central utility key clusters where the the CTRL, ALT, Delete, Backspace, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, Enter and Space keys are located. Those are all thumb-moves on these keyboards. I must say, after almost 20 years using these, I'm stuck on them.
I have had them ALL apart to clean the insides, even replace key switches, repair some of the inner parts, solder ribbon cables back into place, patch up broken plastic mounting pegs inside. Some of this more major repair was after a bookshelf collapsed and partly crushed the key switch wells on my first "Ergo" white model.
Have fun looking - it's kind of a different world for typing.
WOW... they offset the top row even more than standard. It's bad enough we are stuck with the stupid offset rows to begin with, when we should have aligned keys, but why would MS make it WORSE?
Hi, Throckmorton:
Those "stupid offset rows" serve the (functional) purpose of reducing the wrist stress, by reducing having to bend the wrists as much. This is even more evident in the Kinesis keyboards I described in my long post about them.
Best Wishes.
Just yesterday I attempted to purchase (3) missing keycaps for a neighbor's daughter's Model 2000. They don't even sell the keycaps separately, but we found out it's still on warranty, so they said they'd replace the whole keyboard. But the 2000 is now discontinued, so they're sending her the new Model 3000 - for free!
They're about $40 from Microsoft and under $15 on eBay (shipping included), so they're almost throw-aways. Some vendors include them for free with computer upgrades.
Last edited:
bigboxes
Lifer
- Apr 6, 2002
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