I travel a bit for work and found a guy in an IT department who still uses this thing. True it has faded to a p*ss yellow colour and certainly not in the best cosmetic condition but it must just have clicked for him. I think he was using it through a PS2 - USB converter. I guess when you find something that just works for you that there is no reason to replace it.
Ironically, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard was also the first ever keyboard to introduce the Windows Key Commands, something which most other OEMs keyboards were caught off guard when Windows 95 first came out. Eventually, most OEMs would later add the Windows keys a year or two after Windows 95's debut. Laptop keyboards also initially did not include Windows keys by the time Windows 95 came out, but most laptop OEMs eventually followed suit by adding them. Windows 95 was the first version to include the Windows key commands.
Thanks for sharing this Billy! Brought back a fun memory of high school -- I'm originally from Greensboro and went to high school there for context -- we found one of these in one of the networking class equipment closets at Weaver one day circa 2001, one of the guys in the class off-the-cuff nicknamed the keyboard "el naturale" -- memory of that still cracks me up 22 years later for some reason! LOL!
I remember seeing an advertisement for the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite from the Windows 98 Second Edition Updates CD-ROM back in 2011 (I actually saw it on CZcams). I never had a keyboard of that type since I've been used to traditional computer keyboards with PS/2 ports and USB ports for decades. Very interesting overview.
I was a freshman in high school in the fall of 1992, and I had to take a typing class. For some reason, they had old, non-electric, typewriters. Which was weird, because there were Macintosh computers in the rest of the school. At least the teacher was great, because, coming from using a word processor, I really didn’t like using those typewriters.
Man, I totally forgot that, like, everything required a restart back then. Can you imagine if it was like that today?! Would be completely unacceptable.
I love these keyboards. Perixx makes a modern recreation, and even a premium mechanical version too. I used one of these for years when I got them from a thrift store. always loved how comfy they are.
the last one I got was actually free, I asked my history teacher since he had one laying in the back of the class, and he just gave it to me, I even asked him if he wanted anything for it. very cool. it was insanely yellowed but was a joy to type on.
My mom had something similar on her HP Pavillion when I was really little. Always thought they looked cool. Of course, since I'm not a 90s kid, I only remember these from the "HORRIBLE Windows 95 Commercial" on early CZcams that was cheesier than a Wisconsin street fair. lowkey wish Razer would include a feature like this 7:19
I don't care for these and honestly just looking at it I know my wrists would hurt. It is mint though. Btw, it sounds like a typewriter if you're looking away lol
Just in case he got my message I just got word that the Sears at Friendly Shopping Center in Greensboro has just now announced closing permanently they're going to close soon at already have clearance signs out there might want to check it out there going to close their doors in the summer
Keyboard was getting bad since Windows 95 came out when they started using a plain Rubberdome all together because it cheaper than a mechanical keyboard (Alps SKCM/SKCL and Cherry Vintage Black and Blue) and even membrane with slider keyboard like BTC Dome with Slider and Mitsumi KPQ. This keyboard is using a plain Rubberdome while it’s better than a new model it’s not as good as a good old Mitsumi KPQ from the early 90s
This is the keyboard my uncle used to have back in 2000, he liked it so much that he kept it until 2015 when it finally died
I travel a bit for work and found a guy in an IT department who still uses this thing. True it has faded to a p*ss yellow colour and certainly not in the best cosmetic condition but it must just have clicked for him. I think he was using it through a PS2 - USB converter. I guess when you find something that just works for you that there is no reason to replace it.
Ironically, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard was also the first ever keyboard to introduce the Windows Key Commands, something which most other OEMs keyboards were caught off guard when Windows 95 first came out. Eventually, most OEMs would later add the Windows keys a year or two after Windows 95's debut. Laptop keyboards also initially did not include Windows keys by the time Windows 95 came out, but most laptop OEMs eventually followed suit by adding them. Windows 95 was the first version to include the Windows key commands.
Thanks for sharing this Billy! Brought back a fun memory of high school -- I'm originally from Greensboro and went to high school there for context -- we found one of these in one of the networking class equipment closets at Weaver one day circa 2001, one of the guys in the class off-the-cuff nicknamed the keyboard "el naturale" -- memory of that still cracks me up 22 years later for some reason! LOL!
I have one of these! I absolutely love it! It sounds and feels so good. Definitely underrated keyboard.
I think Microsoft has since released a newer version of the keyboard & mouse
I still use it on my Windows 11 PC :) Its amazing
I've seen that keyboard in many movies from the late 90's-early 00's. Really interesting keyboard.
I did type on that keyboard, I've had MANY MANY Microsoft Ergonomic keyboards since, I love them, I can touch type on them :D
I remember seeing an advertisement for the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite from the Windows 98 Second Edition Updates CD-ROM back in 2011 (I actually saw it on CZcams). I never had a keyboard of that type since I've been used to traditional computer keyboards with PS/2 ports and USB ports for decades. Very interesting overview.
I used to have one of these keyboards
I haven't used a typewriter since I was in high school back in 1996
I was a freshman in high school in the fall of 1992, and I had to take a typing class. For some reason, they had old, non-electric, typewriters. Which was weird, because there were Macintosh computers in the rest of the school. At least the teacher was great, because, coming from using a word processor, I really didn’t like using those typewriters.
Man, I totally forgot that, like, everything required a restart back then. Can you imagine if it was like that today?! Would be completely unacceptable.
I love these keyboards. Perixx makes a modern recreation, and even a premium mechanical version too.
I used one of these for years when I got them from a thrift store. always loved how comfy they are.
the last one I got was actually free, I asked my history teacher since he had one laying in the back of the class, and he just gave it to me, I even asked him if he wanted anything for it. very cool. it was insanely yellowed but was a joy to type on.
I think the first version of that keyboard came out in 1994 and actually included the Windows keys prior to Windows 95's release.
My parents used this type of keyboard for decades.
My mom had something similar on her HP Pavillion when I was really little. Always thought they looked cool. Of course, since I'm not a 90s kid, I only remember these from the "HORRIBLE Windows 95 Commercial" on early CZcams that was cheesier than a Wisconsin street fair.
lowkey wish Razer would include a feature like this 7:19
I hope I come across one of those in mint condition for $3.
What makes it sound like an electric typewriter?
7:37 AM
I don't care for these and honestly just looking at it I know my wrists would hurt. It is mint though. Btw, it sounds like a typewriter if you're looking away lol
what is that keyboard at 15:45? i like! 😂
It a Cherry G84 it’s really funny to type on they are so cute
Just in case he got my message I just got word that the Sears at Friendly Shopping Center in Greensboro has just now announced closing permanently they're going to close soon at already have clearance signs out there might want to check it out there going to close their doors in the summer
Keyboard was getting bad since Windows 95 came out when they started using a plain Rubberdome all together because it cheaper than a mechanical keyboard (Alps SKCM/SKCL and Cherry Vintage Black and Blue) and even membrane with slider keyboard like BTC Dome with Slider and Mitsumi KPQ. This keyboard is using a plain Rubberdome while it’s better than a new model it’s not as good as a good old Mitsumi KPQ from the early 90s
m mom loves thes microsoft keyboards