Okay, I'm not really speechless, but I'm as close as I ever get. That's absolutely gorgeous. And by gorgeous I mean "crazy delicious for real beautiful." I can only hope that the product itself looks as good as the images make it look. Don't get me wrong, ambient backlighting isn't anything new-it's been on Powerbooks for years now, but it's kind of different on an external keyboard, especially a wireless one. The docking-like recharger is pretty awesome though. I like the flat form factor as well-many wrists will be saved from carpal tunnel. ^^ The marketing vid you get when you visit the site though is pretty hilarious, (although I enjoyed the kickin' electronic beats!) but I'm willing to look past that if the product is anything like it looks to be. Wonder if it'll work on my MacBook Pro....

I only said this because someone had to.

I kind of wish they made a USB version, though, so I wouldn't have to worry about a battery to replace eventually. (Even rechargeables die.) I also don't like the function keys at the top. They're too darn small. You can't really pick them out by feel, although I guess that's not so much a problem with the backlight. I have no idea what "phoenix" is talking about. Microsoft's own research has them moving further away from flat keyboards for better ergonomics. The increased "tent" angle of the Natural 4000 keyboard is supposed to be better at preventing carpal tunnel syndrome by reducing pronation. Maybe I'll just buy a 4000. Have to admit, I prefer the way the multimedia keys are laid out on the left, something the 4000 doesn't have.

Can you see my 30 feet drool

Ultimate keyboard without a number pad? I think not. Also, is that dial pad on the right supposed to control your cursor like a game pad? Why not just put on a touch pad?? Everything else gets a thumbs up though...

Well, "Mighty Sailing Man," I suppose it's all a matter of opinion of course, but I know logitech has specifically been marketing their "zero-angle" style of keyboard that's thin, lays flat, and is slightly pointed in that "tent" like fashion that you mentioned as being MORE ergonomic, and to prevent RSI and carpal tunnel. I'm no therapist, but I can see the direction that keyboard manufacturers are going. Also, I hadn't noticed the lack of a numberpad-seeing that now puts a damper on my enthusiasm a little bit. Still, definitely hot, and personally I prefer the keyboard type.

Why always a mouse, why never a trackball

Later this year? That was said for Vista, Office, etc. Don't hold your breath!

what are they thinking? drop the a number pad and add a bunch of gadgets = it's just expensive eye candy. cool looking eye candy that's impractical.

Relax, this is NOT that exciting. Rechargable is good ONLY IF the real battery life is a full day. Oh...and where did all the *useful* keys go? I can definitely live without one-touch music.

I think "marketing" is the effective word, there. Any ergonomics researcher will tell you wrists don't like being fully pronated for long periods. The "direction" the manufacturers are going in is "style." Also reduced cost. It's a lot cheaper to make a simple, straight keyboard than the ones with two split and tilted halves. Actually, I can't find any such claim from Logitech that their keyboards are more ergonomic. And actually, I like that it doesn't have a numeric keypad. That means it's a much shorter reach from keyboard to mouse. You'll notice with a conventional keyboard with built-in cursor and numeric keypads, you need to move your right hand as much as a foot to reach your mouse. I don't mind using a separate USB keypad, since I would use that much less often than I use the mouse. It'd also be a bit better for southpaws, who could move their keypad to the left side easily.

Re: the Number pad - rumor has it that the keypad was left off as Vista will support a 3D holographic keypad that is Optical-Nerve aware (ONA) and will respond to simple eye-blinks for basic math computations. The keypad will appear in thin air in front ot you if you nod your head up and down 3 times in quick succession. This comes out of Microsoft Human Factors Research Lab (MSHFRL) and will be released shortly after Vista is in stores.

With regard to marketing, I'll credit you that point, because the conclusion I'm drawing is based on the direction and statements I've read and derived from manufacturers. Still, I can't imagine that they would move in this direction claiming it were ergonomic if it were, in actuality, the abject opposite. I suppose we'll wait for a review when the product comes out. I am a fan of the 4000, like you mentioned however. I admit, my Logitech wireless and my Saitek wired that I use at work and home I tend to prefer the feet down so I get a little raise on the back-not much, but just a bit to counter the complete-flat of the keyboard design. To each his own, I suppose. My point about a number pad wasn't aimed at you. Just a personal preference, although your points are valid. I could agree with a detachable number pad as well. Good points, all around. With regard to some of the other comments: sheesh-it's a GEAR BLOG. If you can't get excited about gear here (or don't expect people who do) then what's it for? (or why bother coming?)

It appears we're talking about two different things, Phoenix. You're talking about flat as in having the keyboard not tilted up toward you. I don't dispute that this may have some benefit since it seems to straighten the wrists. But when I wrote about the tent angle, I was writing about how the two halves of the 4000 (and previous split keyboards like the Natural Pro) peak in the middle, with the two halves tilting away from each other. That reduces pronation. It takes muscular effort to conform your hands to a flat keyboard. By extension, prolonged pronation almost certainly causes stress that contributes to CTS and other repetitive stress disorders. I wouldn't mind trying a Safetype keyboard, which eliminates pronation completely, if only they weren't so expensive. I wasn't really rebutting you, either, in regard to the numeric keypad. Several people had mentioned it as a drawback, which I don't really consider it to be.

1) Mouse side button doesn't have enough surface area for my liking. Stop trying to design things so-called 'cool' and start making them more practical and more functional. 2) No keypad = no real keyboard. I'll stick to a $10 special. 3) The exact angle of keyboard keys (the angle of the left and right side of the keyboard) actually depends on the height of your desk and its relationship to the height of your chair. You'll notice when u raise or lower your hands in front of you above your keyboard, the angle your hands naturally tilt changes. This keyboard cannot change the angle of the left and right side of the keyboard (doesn't have an adjustable 'split' down the centre). That alone would be worth more than the overhyped posturing about backlit keys and wirelessness. 4) Smart recharging to let users power-up both the mouse and keyboard in one easy-to-use place? I'm not sure what this means. Embedded batteries die after a few hundred cycles. Let's hope they are user-replaceable standard AA and AAA batteries, not non-standard "replace keyboard and mosue when batteries die because Average Joe can't find batteries" type. The type that every man and his dog seems to be using in portable audio devices. 5) Metal accents? Assuming it has some, for god's sake, stop coating plastic with silver paint. It's tacky. If it's real metal (doubtful), thanks, but I'd prefer my keyboard housing all plastic in 'boring' beige (black keyboards visibly show dust far too easily). Metal accents, real or otherwise, do nothing for me, and do nothing for keypad reliability. 6) Height of keyboard (or lack of) totally overrated. This keyboard doesn't even have a full-size palmrest like Microsoft's el-cheapo Internet Keyboard (retail boxed versions) did. It looks to actually have worse ergonomics than usual, by virtue of its short palmrest. 7) Proximity sensing, ambient light monitoring and adjustment and backlit keypad can be useful to some. The only real innovations here. To summarize: below average keyboard where it actually matters and above average hype. It should sell bucketloads, of my assessment of the mass market is right.

hey, larry, just incase you didn't notice, on the left hand side .. there is a one touch music button. maybe next time before you run your mouth, you'll DOUBLE CHECK. and the keyboard looks amazing. i'd love to use it.

@Mighty Sailing Man, my apologies for any offense given, and none recieved! I wholeheartedly agree! :) @Bruce, seems like most keyboard s aren't for you! I'd definitely adivse you to stick to stock keyboards, the cheapies that come with systems or you

I like the backlit keys - very useful for typing with the room lights out. I've been looking for an affordable keyboard with this feature. However, a network tech types IP addresses all the time, and it's a real pain to use the row of keys above the keyboard. I'm sure accountants or anyone working with numbers would agree. I never use the hotkeys on the keyboards - I control my PC (music, volume, etc...) with the existing controls in the program, so the whole left side of this keyboard is useless im my opinion. This should have the option of using USB in case your batteries crap out, or the device you're connecting to doesn't support the wireless.. So in conclusion, maybe they should have a Home and Pro version of this - one with the music buttons and silly mouse-type thingy, and a PRO with a num-pad.

ahhh....nice- how about some speakers or headphone jack onboard that also !

While I love my 4000 keyboard, and find it unlikely that I'll buy this one, congrats to MS for continuing to develop choices, and advancing the number of options. Many people will love this new board, and good for them. I really appreciate taht we live in a society that is constantly trying to find new and better ways to do stuff. If they make a ton of money doing so, good on 'em! Jim

Cindi; I think maybe you should re-read Larry R's post before you slam him.... He says that he CAN live WITHOUT a one-touch music key. (Possibly meaning that he in fact SEES the music key, and says he doesn't want or need one on his keyboard???) Maybe you need to take your own advice before you flame on someone else....

Guys, calm down a bit, this is merely a "prototype" version just to let people basically get an early view... im sure the real product will have several changes and several different options to go with it.... I agree with a lot of things that you guys have said, but the people flaming the backlit feature... why are you even here? its on there for people who want that, they make thousands of keyboards that arent backlit... let us have one that is. and as far as the keypad... I dont mind having a seperate one up on the upper deck of my computer desk so that when i need it, its there, when i dont... i have less keyboard to lug around... this is just here as another option for those of us who really havent found a keyboard for us... i think it looks great... but honestly, do you think microsoft will release a keyboard without their little windows button? it will have changes... just wait it out... real reviews will come out for the real thing, and we can go from there, but there is no reason to say that you HATE IT... its a preview that hopefully they will make perfect before the release....

My husband writes electronic music at night. He doesn't need a keypad, as he's more interested in a sleek look for his set up. I think this will be a good Christmas present for him. Assuming Microsoft has sped up their development cycle following the Vista fiasco.

Couldn't agree more. Some of us actually have a real use for a backlit keyboard. The second you move to having a MMC PC in your living room, I can promise you, there will be plenty of times you want to operate it in the dark. This is a brilliant and sexy board for that purpose and I can't wait!!

Why, oh dear Lord, why... has everyone foresaken the Microsoft Natural keyboard? In my opinion, the ONLY true ergonomic, non-gimmicky keyboard that's ever been made. It's not "ultimate" if it's not ergonomic! Ergonomic + backlight + wireless + rechargeable = ultimate. Can you not *feel* the difference in your wrists and see it in your typing speed??

Having the backlit keys, being rechargeable and wireless is nice, but to many keys/buttons are just not necessary. If it was designed as the usual keyboard, I would without a doubt purchase this product.

I'm thinking of a letter like the following. Please offer me your thoughts, as to improvements:

"Dear Microsoft employee.
How are you today? I hope you're well. Do you want to make me your new best friend? Forever? (&ever?) Please send me a Microsoft WED 8000 keyboard, and I'll be your friend forever. Go on - you know you want to."

I think it's nearly there. Just needs a few refining touches.

Anyway, on with normal life.

[
Oh yeah, one other thing. As nice as the WED 8000 is, and it IS nice, it doesn't have the PiZaZ of the "all-black" version shown above. Obviously this is a prototype, but I definitely think an all-black option should be available.

One other thing, whilst I think of it. I first saw a blog for this about 6 months ago, and promptly bookmarked it and any other info I could find. I still don't see a WED 8000 (just a 7000) for sale. It might be QUICKER to "friendship bribe" a MicroSoft employee - but I still wouldn't...
]

For a product that has been "promised" for about a yr now, one has to wonder what's wrong since it hasn't been on the market yet.

Check out the REALY COOL backlit keyboards (LED backlit ,your choice of 3 colors) at deckkeyboards.com