Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000

The comfort curve is simplicity at its best. The keys are elegant and comfy to press; they hardly make much of a noise, which is a godsend when you're tapping away late into the night. They also feel productive - while with previous keyboards the "clackety-clack" noise is always a constant reminder that you're working for the big cheese, this one is an absolute pleasure to use; hell, even enjoyable.

As the title suggests, there is a slight curve to the keyboard, with a few of the keys stretched out to adopt to the style. It's fits rather nice with your hands; after a few minutes with it I haven't made a single typo due to the key placement, unlike some previous ones such as the Labtec Slim Keyboard.

Media keys on top are nice and simple too - back and foward, play/pause with volume and mute buttons. Also one for your browser, email and search. There's even a calculator shortcut button tabove the number keypad, ideal for making that quick calculation.

Everything about the keyboard has been wonderfully designed - from the feedback of the keys to the slight curve of the keyboard. Even the lock keys have neat little icons when lit up. If there's one gripe, it's that greasemarks and other bits and bobs that accumulate over time will be more noticable on the keyboard. However, it's nothing a regular wipe can't handle. It's spillproof after all.

All in all, a first class product.

The keys on this are pretty quiet compared to a normal keyboard although the space bar is a little loud, comparable to a normal keyboard.
The keys are also a very thin laptop style key.
The keyboard is VERY flat in terms of it's thickness and angle.
The rear upstands wont help much with the angle but its not an issue as this board is simply a joy to type on.
I find its pretty quick, nice and responsive and all typos so far have been my own fault (not key placement) but I find I do make less on this board due to the curve in the keys (which is surprisingly little compared to the "natural" ones that MS do.
For those that like media keys there is, Back, Forward (browser) play/pause, Volume +/-, Mute, Launch browser, Search, Mail and Calculator. A pretty basic selection I must say.

Be aware this is USB ONLY AND DOESN'T COME WITH A CONVERTER! (not that this will worry most people.
Also the cable is a little on the short side so if your computer sits quite far from your base unit you may wish to purchase a usb extention cable.

The things I dislike about this keyboard:

The black shows EVERYTHING. I mean body oils, dirt, the lot. Not a problem as I was aware of what black on keyboards does anyway.
The media keys. I wish it didn't have them, they increase the size of the keyboard wasting my space (an extra 1 1/2" on the top).

Other than my personal issues with media keys MS has made another fine keyboard.

I have an older version of this keyboard made in white and it's minging and impossible to keep clean. This one is black so the dirt is hidden, that's a plus.

All in all great when you get used to it. I can see no reason to fault it.