Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard for Business (5KV-00001 )

Im an IT Professional with 20 years experience, and Ive been using ergonomic keyboards with my Macs for all 20. I started with the Adesso Tru-Form, then several models of Microsoft Natural keyboards, and Ive now owned 3 of these Sculpt keyboards. Im shopping for a 4th keyboard in 2 years and Im sad to be going back to the old 4000 model. Sad because, when its working, this is a lovely keyboard to type on. I like the short travel, and Im able to comfortably type 100+wpm, sometimes for most of the day, with minimal fatigue. Its fairly quiet and it looks cool on my desk. Unfortunately, there are several unforgivable flaws with this otherwise perfect keyboard. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problems with the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard: (in order of grievance severity) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - USB Dongle Trouble pt1: The little USB wireless receiver is permanently paired to the keyboard at the factory and not replaceable. When I got my laptop stolen (with the dongle in the port), it added insult to injury that my brand new keyboard that the thieves didnt take was (as confirmed by Microsoft) at best a doorstop or a toy for my toddler to bang on. - Layout Trouble pt1: The Page Up button was displaced by the much-less-useful Home and End buttons, and even after 2 years of use at home and at the office, Im still not used to it. And similarly... - Layout Trouble pt2: I accidentally hit the Insert key (adjacent to the Enter key) at least 4 times a year, and have to figure out why my text is being deleted as I type. I spent an hour trying to find a way to disable this useless key through terminal commands or 3rd party utilities but was unsuccessful. - USB Dongle Trouble pt2: Minimal reception strength. Ive experienced issues even with the dongle only 3-feet away. I use a USB extension cord to get the dongle as close as possible to the keyboard. - Keyboards dont need to be cordless: My keyboard doesnt ever go anywhere. I can accommodate a sit-stand desk and sliding keyboard tray just fine with a USB extension cable. I dont want another device that can run out of batteries. I want a keyboard that never has connectivity trouble. - Style: The piano-black finish and padded wrist rest are gorgeous... until you start using your keyboard. Its still a beautifully designed keyboard, but it gets dirty easily and the wrist-rest is quickly stained by the oil from your skin. - Theyre not as durable as they used to be. My home Sculpt keyboard is only a year old and has so many weird buggy issues: It sends messed up signals to my computer (lots of beeping), every few minutes it misses input (causing me to wri mesd up sentces) even with fresh batteries and the dongle 6-inches away, and it goes through batteries in 30 days rather than the 90-120 that I used to get. - Pursuing Microsoft warranty support is a nightmare--Its easier just to throw the busted keyboard out and buy a new one. Only this time, Im not buying another Sculpt.

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This keyboard stopped working seven months after I bought it. I gave it two stars because when it works, its a great keyboard. I purchased the extra warranty on this item because so many reviewers mentioned the short life issue of this product. When I tried to make a claim with Square Trade, they told me that it was still under manufacturer warranty and to contact Microsoft. When I called Microsoft, the person I talked to first tried to sell me a service plan. Then she told me to contact the manufacturer of the keyboard. When I told her that it was a Microsoft product, she started asking me what kind of computer I had. I told her I thought that was irrelevant since we are talking about a broken keyboard. I tried it on another computer, I changed the batteries, I reinstalled the drivers, I pulled out some hairs and cried before I called to make a warranty claim. Even though she insisted that I had the right department and she was a warranty claim person, she continually asked me the same questions over and over. Where did I buy it? What kind of computer do I have? Do I have a service contract with Microsoft? She told me to call the manufacturer of my computer for my warranty claim, then she told me to contact Amazon for the warranty claim. I asked several times if I had the right department and should I call someone else? I asked repeatedly to talk with her manager, which she refused. Then she hung up on me. You might think I was rude to her, but I was insistent and polite. I guess I can wait until March and make a claim with Square Trade. I looked everywhere online to find out how to make a warranty claim with Microsoft, but never found anything. Its obvious that Microsoft wont honor any warranty and just wants to run an endurance contest with its customers.

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Stopped working after a Year , it shuts off and every time I need to remove and reset the batteries for this to work ( tried all kinds of trouble shooting like uninstalling /reinstalling the driver for the keyboard , updating the software drivers , changing the battery brand etc) Worst Part is that I called Microsoft support , all they do is put you on hold, transfer the calls between departments , the calls get diverted to Asian countries and the representative on call can barely understand you issue , i had explained my issue to 4 different people and none of them could connect me to the right department , Unbelievable Support for such a big brand ! Worst customer service

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