Ninalley

2019-2-20  I recently purchased the ergonomic surface keyboard however I can't get it to pair with my mac laptop. Currently running OS Mojave 10.14. I can see the keyboard in the bluetooth options, however it doesn't recognise it as a keyboard and asks me to type in a code. The keyboard is not connected so I can't type in the code. Aug 30, 2013 The Good The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop is a simple split-key keyboard with integrated shortcut keys and a spherical mouse, designed to take undue weight off your wrists. The Bad Split.

• Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard
• Logitech Ergonomic Keyboard
• Microsoft Sculpt Mouse

By David Röthlisberger. Comments welcome at david@rothlis.net.

Last updated 4 Oct 2011. This article is Creative Commons licensed.

The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 doesn’t feel very “Mac-like”, at least not out-of-the-box. Read on for helpful settings to improve the experience, and a brief review of the keyboard at the end.

If your kernel panics, upgrade the drivers

OS X kernel panic

On Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6), the IntelliType Pro 8.0 drivers caused me kernel panics at least once a day.

The recent 8.2 driversdon’t cause kernel panics on Lion (OS X 10.7). I haven’t tested them on Snow Leopard, but I assume it is the new drivers, rather than the new Operating System, that contain the fix. Readers have reported that the older 7.1 drivers work well with Snow Leopard (note that the 7.1 drivers say they are for the older Natural Keyboard Pro, but they also work for this newer keyboard). Let me know if you have tested other combinations of driver/OS versions.

Or don't use the Microsoft drivers at all

Ironically, the Microsoft drivers stop OS X from recognising the keyboard for what it is! Without the drivers, OS X reports “Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard 4000”; with the IntelliType drivers, it’s a mere “Keyboard”.

With IntelliType drivers

As the last straw, if you remap your Caps Lock key to Control via Apple’s Keyboard preference pane, with the Microsoft drivers installed the remapping will be lost every time you restart.

The following table should help you decide whether you want the Microsoft drivers. More detailed explanations follow.

How to uninstall the Microsoft drivers

The IntelliType UnInstaller is in the Utilities sub-folder of your Applications folder. (If you installed the IntelliPoint mouse drivers, which were bundled in the same installer, the corresponding UnInstaller is in the same location.)

If you don’t want to run the uninstallers, you can remove the following manually:

• /System/Library/Extensions/MicrosoftKeyboard.kext

• /System/Library/Extensions/MicrosoftMouse.kext (if you also installed the IntelliPoint drivers)

• /Library/Keyboard Layouts/Microsoft Keyboards.bundle

• and the Microsoft Keyboard preference pane (open System Preferences, and right-click the Microsoft Keyboard icon, or drag it off the window in a puff of smoke).

Swap the Alt and Windows keys

Microsoft Natural modifier keys

The Windows key is automatically treated as Command (⌘), but on Apple keyboards the Command key is next to the spacebar, with Option (Alt) the next key out. On the Microsoft keyboard this is reversed, and the IntelliType drivers helpfully have a setting to reverse these two keys; luckily OS X also has this functionality built in.

It’s under the Modifier Keys button of the Keyboard System Preferences pane.

Simply map Option to Command, and vice-versa. These settings are per-keyboard, so you won’t mess up your MacBook’s built-in keyboard.

While you’re here you can also map your Caps Lock to Control, if you so wish.

Use the Application key as a Command or Option key

Application key

To the right of the spacebar, this keyboard has an “Application” (or Context Menu) key instead of a Windows key. The IntelliType drivers include a setting to treat this key as Command, but OS X has no such setting.

Apple’s customizable XML keylayouts only allow mapping key codes to output characters, but not changing or adding modifier keys. Graphical interfaces built on top of this mechanism, such as Ukelele, have the same limitations. You’ll need the open-source KeyRemap4MacBook.

In spite of its name, KeyRemap4MacBook works on any Mac (with OS X 10.4 or later). It doesn’t allow arbitrary key mappings, but, in the best open-source tradition, it does have zillions of settings. The one you want is under “For PC Users” » “Change PC Application Key” » “Application Key to Option_L” (i.e. left-option, not option+“L”). What you set here doesn’t seem to be affected by OS X’s own modifier keys remapping.

Media keys

The keyboard’s mute, volume and play/pause keys all work out of the box, no IntelliType required. There are no keys for previous/next song.

(Without the Microsoft drivers) None of the remaining media keys work (web/home, search, mail, calculator, “favorites” 1 through 5, back and forward, and the zoom slider).

Function keys

The Function keys (F1, etc) behave as such (as opposed to brightness, volume, etc), regardless of what you set in the Keyboard preference pane. If you press “F Lock” the F keys simply do nothing. Luckily the F Lock remembers its setting across reboots.

There is no Fn modifier key as on the Mac keyboards.

KeyRemap4MacBook allows you to map the F keys to the usual brightness, volume, etc. but then you’d lose the normal F keys.

Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down

On the Mac OS there is no such thing as an Insert/Overwrite toggle (even on Apple’s extended keyboard there is no Insert key). So unsurprisingly, the Insert key does nothing.

Delete works. Page-Up and -Down work. Home and End scroll to the top and bottom of the window instead of moving the cursor to the beginning or end of the line (but this is consistent with the behaviour of Apple keyboards) except in Microsoft Office, where Home and End behave as on the PC.

Numeric keypad

Num Lock doesn’t work, but fortunately it is stuck in the numeric mode.

Final thoughts

I initially liked this keyboard: The split and tenting angles provide a comfortable resting position, it has Command, Option and Control keys for both hands, and the price is quite reasonable.

But after several months, I have stopped using this keyboard. It’s just too large! Keys like Return, Backspace, and Escape are quite far away from the home position. I don’t really need a numeric keypad (it forces the mouse that much further away). The keys are loud (especially the clunky spacebar) and the key travel distance (and the force required to press them) is more than I’d like.

These are of course quite personal opinions, and this keyboard could be just perfect for someone else. As a computer programmer I do a lot of typing, so I try to optimise for ergonomics.

Kinesis Freestyle for Mac:
No right-hand Control key

I really like having all three modifiers (Command, Option and Control) available to my left and right hands, though this may not be so important for non-programmers. I don’t think I’d buy an ergonomic keyboard without this feature. The Kinesis keyboards, and Apple’s own keyboards (except the Apple external keyboard with numeric keypad), lack the right-hand Control.

Whether you prefer mechanical, ergonomic, compact, or Bluetooth connected, there's a keyboard out there that's right for you. If you don't like Apple's Magic Keyboard, there are some great alternatives out there that might suit you better.

Alternatives to Magic Keyboard

If you're not a fan of Apple's Magic Keyboard, which comes included with all iMac computers, but want something that has some of the same features, like quick access to Launchpad, there are a few alternatives that are a comfortable transition.

Logitech Easy-Switch K811

Logitech's K811 is my favorite Magic Keyboard alternative because it has three Bluetooth pairing channels. That means, you can pair it with your Mac, iPhone, and iPad (or Apple TV, or another Mac, or whatever you need a keyboard for). It's got a backlit keyboard and uses the Mac layout with keys that are specifically mapped to Mac functions, like Mission Control, Launch Pad, screen brightness, and more. It costs about $90 and is slim enough to store away if you only use it on occasion.

K811 not for you? Check out our other suggestions for alternatives to the Magic Keyboard.

Ergonomic

If you type a lot, you're probably looking for something that you can ensure is the most ideal position for your wrists. There are a few great ergonomic keyboards on the market that are meticulously designed for ideal wrist positioning.

Microsoft Sculpt

Microsoft makes a unique keyboard that has taken all curves, tilt, and cushioning into consideration. It splits the keyboard in half and angles the keys so your reach is minimal and your wrist doesn't have to sit in any awkward angle at all. It curves upward at the middle so your fingers can naturally move toward the center keys without any effort. The cushion padding attached to the front of the keyboard facilitates the correct wrist positioning so you're not leaning upward while you type.

Wirecutter considers it the best ergonomic keyboard on the market.

[The Microsoft Sculpt is an] inexpensive ergonomic keyboard that puts your wrists in the ideal typing position for pleasant typing over long periods.

It comes with a separate number pad and costs about $100.

Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards have physical switches that cause that electrical current to be produced and sent to the computer. They have a unique tactile presence that most newer keyboards don't have. If you prefer a mechanical keyboard, there are a few on the market that work great with Mac.

Das Keyboard 4

The Das 4 is one of the most popular mechanical keyboard on the market. It's got a significant audible click and satisfying tactile feel. It also features a number pad and over sized volume knobs. The media controls are ideal for gamers and heavy productivity types alike. It also comes with two USB 3.0 ports so you can charge up your devices while working (or playing). It comes in two different styles, one with smart clicks and one silent one. It costs about $170.

Das Keyboard is not your style? Check out our other recommendations for mechanical keyboards for Mac.

Compact keyboard

If you're often on the road and don't like the way Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboard feel, you can grab a compact, portable peripheral that you can pack alongside your lappy for a typing performance that fits your needs a little better.

1byone Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard

This little ditty is designed for mobile devices, like iPhone and iPad, but works great with Macs. It folds up into a small package 5.8'x3.5'x0.7'. When opened up and ready for work, it folds out into a standard size keyboard. It features a standard set of function keys, which double as shortcut paths to such things as cut/copy/paste, audio controls, and returning to the Home screen. It also supports functions for Android and Windows, so if you're a multi-brand household, you can use this foldable Bluetooth keyboard with different devices seamlessly. It's also fairly inexpensive at only about $30.

This tri-fold compact Bluetooth keyboard too weird for you? Check out our other favorite compact options.

Your favorite?

Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

What type of keyboard suits your style best? Do you have a favorite brand you go back to time and again? Let us know in the comments and tell us why you love it.

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Logitech Ergonomic Keyboard

The HybridDrive is a USB-C dock with an SSD built in

Microsoft Sculpt Mouse

You need more ports, right? And you probably need more storage, right? What you really need is the HybridDrive.