Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 Review

Microsoft has been making its own keyboards for many years.  They have pioneered a lot of good accessible and ergonomic keyboards, but also have come up with some questionable designs, even when considering ergonomics.

We are looking at the Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 keyboard, which is apparently the bigger (yet somehow smaller) brother of the Comfort Curve 2000 keyboard.

Below are the product features and details…

Product Features

On the next page we take a look at the keyboard…

The keyboard uses the typical membrane switch technology of most inexpensive keyboards, and as a result is extremely quiet.  Some people do not like the “mushy” feeling that these types of keyboards provide, and they certainly won’t last as long as a good mechanical keyboard.

Additionally, the symbols on the keys are silk-screened on, which is the cheapest printing method for keyboards, and the lettering will certainly wear off after a year or so of decent use.  The plastic also has a slight texture to it, which also tends to turn smooth and glossy from the oil on your fingers.

The layout of the keyboard is very compact, but refrains from using half-size arrow keys of some of their previous compact designs.  The main area of the keyboard has full-size keys in normal positions, but there is a large curve in the middle, which supposedly reduces the reach your index finger has to travel to reach the center buttons.

Many keyboards have space between the arrow keys, but this compact design forces the arrow keys (which are normal size)  to be squished between the keyboard area and number pad.

The delete/home area favors the 3-column, two-row large delete key layout, which is one that I personally prefer (The Pause/Break key has been removed!  Huzzah!).  I can tolerate the 2-column, 3-row delete key layout (as on the Logitech Wave keyboard reviewed here), but I prefer this layout.   I find it easy to press “delete”, and “end”, which are the editing keys that I use most frequently.

The number pad is pretty much unchanged and is flat.  Above the number pad are four non-programmable media keys: Calculator, Play/Pause, Volume Up, and Volume Down.  The numlock, caps lock, and scroll lock LEDs have been moved below the numpad, and is actually easy to identify (unless your wrist is over the numpad).

The Escape, Function, and Insert/scroll lock/print screen  keys have been reduced to half of their normal size.  I don’t think most people will mind, as many of these are used infrequently.  I am able to identify the Escape key by feel as it is much smaller than the other keys.

The bottom of the keyboard has five rubber feet (one in each corner and another to support the front center).  This center support will help prevent the keyboard from bowing, which is something I’ve noticed with other keyboards.  The single USB cable is attached to the left side of the keyboard, which is only advantageous if your computer or USB port is on the left part of your desk.

We start typing on the next page!  Hold on to your hats!

The keys are not very high, similar to many laptop keyboards.  This in theory reduces travel, so your finger doesn’t have to press down as much to press a key.  Those familiar with mechanical keyboards know that they only don’t have to press the key all the way down to register, which also benefits from a lighter touch.

The arch takes some getting used to.  Like other of Microsoft’s ergonomic products, I find myself arching my wrists a LOT more than comfortable, which is ironic since this product is designed to improve comfort.  I preferred the ergonomic keyboards that lifted the front of the keyboard, but sadly the Comfort Curve 3000 does not have any adjustments at all.

The arch gets in the way and I find myself mashing way too many keys when trying to type the T, Y, U, V, and C keys.

The space bar has been improved from the Comfort Curve 2000.  The previous model’s space bar very loose and sloppy, and now is nice and tight.

Like all shiny plastic things these days, it picks up fingerprints like you wouldn’t believe.  The product description states that it makes a statement on your desk, and that statement is “CSI would have a field day here.”.

Like other Microsoft keyboards, common Windows keyboard shortcuts are printed on the front face of the keys.  These keyboard shortcuts either show the Windows symbol or Control symbol to indicate which key toggles the function.  These are listed below:

♥ = Windows key, * = Control key

Even though this keyboard was made with Windows 7 in mind, there are a lot more Windows keyboard shortcuts that were not printed on this keyboard.

The media and function keys work out of the box on Windows without any software required.  Thankfully Microsoft has axed their previous “F-lock” initiative on their keyboards, which frankly just frustrated users rather than provide any benefit.

The Comfort Curve Keyboard is priced between$20-30.  While it has a better look and feel of other “entry-level” keyboards, some people will have an issue with the ergonomics.  The comfort level would be greatly improved with a wrist rest.

From my experience, you’re either a super-ergonomic consumer and have gear that costs hundreds of dollars, or you just don’t care about it.  Many people who are considering this keyboard because of its price probably aren’t ergonomic consumers and will be dissatisfied with the comfort level.  Those who know about ergonomic gear will not be pleased with the watered-down features.

The Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 is yet another attempt by Microsoft to make an ergonomic keyboard, and is a trade-off with their 2000 model.  On one hand the ergonomics are more usable for “normal” keyboard users, and the spacebar has been greatly improved.  It also has all the same features without taking up so much space.  Unfortunately, the curvature can feel uncomfortable after an hour or two, and can introduce typing errors.

While it is a compact design for an ergonomic keyboard, it really isn’t that much smaller than the 2000 model, and is still larger than a regular keyboard.  It’s another good attempt by Microsoft, but is really suited for light office use.