Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its popular line of ergonomic keyboards which debuted almost 30 years ago. The decision to halt production has sparked sadness and disappointment among loyal customers who have come to rely on these keyboards for their comfort and productivity.
Microsoft, known for its dominant PC software and successful venture into gaming with the Xbox, has never focused extensively on the keyboard business. Instead, a significant portion of its revenue comes from the utilisation of its cloud services by businesses, schools, and government agencies.
Despite entering the keyboard market in 1994, four years ahead of the current market leader Logitech, Microsoft has garnered a dedicated following for its ergonomic offerings.
While the company will continue manufacturing keyboards, it has made the decision to phase out its more widely recognised ergonomic products as part of a broader strategy to prioritise growth in other categories.
The tech giants ergonomic keyboards, known for their split key clusters and slanted hand positioning, have become synonymous with enhanced typing experiences.
These keyboards not only provided a unique and comfortable layout but also featured Windows keys strategically placed for easy access, catering to the needs of Windows users.
Matt Steinhoff, a systems administrator at a newspaper in Florida, was intrigued when the Microsoft Natural Keyboard hit the market. In the news and media industry, concerns were rising about the potential for repetitive stress injuries caused by certain keyboards.
Although Microsoft’s keyboard had an unconventional appearance, Steinhoff decided to purchase one after stumbling upon a coupon.
“The initial experience was a learning curve,” Steinhoff admitted. “I received quite a few curious glances. However, once I got accustomed to it, the keyboard felt remarkably comfortable. Logically, it made perfect sense that it improved wrist positioning.”
Impressed by the product, Steinhoff became an enthusiastic advocate for the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. In 1998, when he switched to a different newspaper, he upgraded to the newer model, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. Even his mother, a retired librarian in West Palm Beach, Florida, followed suit and acquired one for herself.
According to a study, an overwhelming majority of 22 out of 23 individuals expressed a preference for the design of the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 compared to the older Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro.
The finding propelled the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 to the status of the best-selling wired keyboard in the United States.
Despite the discontinuation of the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard, Microsoft continues to offer the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard, released in 2016.
Although currently unavailable on Microsoft’s official website, a company spokesperson confirmed that it still holds a place in their lineup of Surface-branded PC accessories.
On popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon, the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard can be purchased for $129.99, double the price of the now-discontinued Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard.
While it may be some consolation to know that alternative options from other manufacturers, such as Logitech, are still available.
