13-05-2021

Microsoft Ergo Keyboard Mac

By David Röthlisberger. Comments welcome at david@rothlis.net.

Mar 22, 2016 Configuring Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard for Mac. I like the Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic keyboard, and here’s how I’ve configured it to work well on my Mac: In System Preferences-Keyboard select “Modifier Keys” and enter these settings – be sure you’ve selected “Microsoft Nano Transceiver” at the top: I’ve remapped Caps Lock to Escape using Seil. Aug 07, 2015 Just noticed this thread and I also have that keyboard. OP, make sure you unplug your USB HUB from the Mac. I also have the problem with missing keystrokes whenever I add my usb hub. I often time think that the battery might be on the low end and therefore am looking for software from microsoft to install on the mac but there is none. Attached with review compilation of photo that include comparison of size with apple keyboard, display size 24”, unpacking, battery and two level of hight. Then second screenshot of comparing specification between Logitech ERGO K860 and Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard.

Last updated 4 Oct 2011. This article is Creative Commons licensed.

The Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 doesn’t feel very “Mac-like”, at least not out-of-the-box. Read on for helpful settings to improve the experience, and a brief review of the keyboard at the end.

If your kernel panics, upgrade the drivers

OS X kernel panic

On Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6), the IntelliType Pro 8.0 drivers caused me kernel panics at least once a day.

The recent 8.2 driversdon’t cause kernel panics on Lion (OS X 10.7). I haven’t tested them on Snow Leopard, but I assume it is the new drivers, rather than the new Operating System, that contain the fix. Readers have reported that the older 7.1 drivers work well with Snow Leopard (note that the 7.1 drivers say they are for the older Natural Keyboard Pro, but they also work for this newer keyboard). Let me know if you have tested other combinations of driver/OS versions.

Or don't use the Microsoft drivers at all

Ironically, the Microsoft drivers stop OS X from recognising the keyboard for what it is! Without the drivers, OS X reports “Natural® Ergonomic Keyboard 4000”; with the IntelliType drivers, it’s a mere “Keyboard”.

With IntelliType drivers

As the last straw, if you remap your Caps Lock key to Control via Apple’s Keyboard preference pane, with the Microsoft drivers installed the remapping will be lost every time you restart.

The following table should help you decide whether you want the Microsoft drivers. More detailed explanations follow.

With Microsoft IntelliType drivers	Without Microsoft drivers
Kernel panics with 8.0 drivers on Snow Leopard; fine with 8.2 drivers on Lion.	No kernel panics.
Modifier key mappings...
lost every time you restart.	aren't lost.
You can swap the Alt and Windows keys...
with the IntelliType software.	with KeyRemap4MacBook.
You can use the Application key as a Command or Option key...
with the IntelliType software.	with KeyRemap4MacBook.
Media keys all work correctly.	Only mute, volume and play/pause keys work. Web, search, mail, calculator, favourites 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5, back and forward, and the zoom slider don’t work.

How to uninstall the Microsoft drivers

The IntelliType UnInstaller is in the Utilities sub-folder of your Applications folder. (If you installed the IntelliPoint mouse drivers, which were bundled in the same installer, the corresponding UnInstaller is in the same location.)

If you don’t want to run the uninstallers, you can remove the following manually:

/System/Library/Extensions/MicrosoftKeyboard.kext
/System/Library/Extensions/MicrosoftMouse.kext (if you also installed the IntelliPoint drivers)
/Library/Keyboard Layouts/Microsoft Keyboards.bundle
and the Microsoft Keyboard preference pane (open System Preferences, and right-click the Microsoft Keyboard icon, or drag it off the window in a puff of smoke).

Swap the Alt and Windows keys

Microsoft Natural modifier keys

The Windows key is automatically treated as Command (⌘), but on Apple keyboards the Command key is next to the spacebar, with Option (Alt) the next key out. On the Microsoft keyboard this is reversed, and the IntelliType drivers helpfully have a setting to reverse these two keys; luckily OS X also has this functionality built in.

It’s under the Modifier Keys button of the Keyboard System Preferences pane.

Simply map Option to Command, and vice-versa. These settings are per-keyboard, so you won’t mess up your MacBook’s built-in keyboard.

While you’re here you can also map your Caps Lock to Control, if you so wish.

Use the Application key as a Command or Option key

Application key

To the right of the spacebar, this keyboard has an “Application” (or Context Menu) key instead of a Windows key. The IntelliType drivers include a setting to treat this key as Command, but OS X has no such setting.

Apple’s customizable XML keylayouts only allow mapping key codes to output characters, but not changing or adding modifier keys. Graphical interfaces built on top of this mechanism, such as Ukelele, have the same limitations. You’ll need the open-source KeyRemap4MacBook.

In spite of its name, KeyRemap4MacBook works on any Mac (with OS X 10.4 or later). It doesn’t allow arbitrary key mappings, but, in the best open-source tradition, it does have zillions of settings. The one you want is under “For PC Users” » “Change PC Application Key” » “Application Key to Option_L” (i.e. left-option, not option+“L”). What you set here doesn’t seem to be affected by OS X’s own modifier keys remapping.

Media keys

The keyboard’s mute, volume and play/pause keys all work out of the box, no IntelliType required. There are no keys for previous/next song.

(Without the Microsoft drivers) None of the remaining media keys work (web/home, search, mail, calculator, “favorites” 1 through 5, back and forward, and the zoom slider).

Function keys

The Function keys (F1, etc) behave as such (as opposed to brightness, volume, etc), regardless of what you set in the Keyboard preference pane. If you press “F Lock” the F keys simply do nothing. Luckily the F Lock remembers its setting across reboots.

There is no Fn modifier key as on the Mac keyboards.

KeyRemap4MacBook allows you to map the F keys to the usual brightness, volume, etc. but then you’d lose the normal F keys.

Insert, Delete, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down

On the Mac OS there is no such thing as an Insert/Overwrite toggle (even on Apple’s extended keyboard there is no Insert key). So unsurprisingly, the Insert key does nothing.

Delete works. Page-Up and -Down work. Home and End scroll to the top and bottom of the window instead of moving the cursor to the beginning or end of the line (but this is consistent with the behaviour of Apple keyboards) except in Microsoft Office, where Home and End behave as on the PC.

Microsoft Ergo Keyboard Mac Keyboard

Numeric keypad

Num Lock doesn’t work, but fortunately it is stuck in the numeric mode.

Final thoughts

I initially liked this keyboard: The split and tenting angles provide a comfortable resting position, it has Command, Option and Control keys for both hands, and the price is quite reasonable.

But after several months, I have stopped using this keyboard. It’s just too large! Keys like Return, Backspace, and Escape are quite far away from the home position. I don’t really need a numeric keypad (it forces the mouse that much further away). The keys are loud (especially the clunky spacebar) and the key travel distance (and the force required to press them) is more than I’d like.

These are of course quite personal opinions, and this keyboard could be just perfect for someone else. As a computer programmer I do a lot of typing, so I try to optimise for ergonomics.

Kinesis Freestyle for Mac:
No right-hand Control key

I really like having all three modifiers (Command, Option and Control) available to my left and right hands, though this may not be so important for non-programmers. I don’t think I’d buy an ergonomic keyboard without this feature. The Kinesis keyboards, and Apple’s own keyboards (except the Apple external keyboard with numeric keypad), lack the right-hand Control.

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This term collection covers how to refer to keyboard shortcuts and the names of specific keys.

For information about describing customers' interactions with UI, see Procedures and instructions.

Keyboard actions and access

Term	Usage
keyboard shortcut, accelerator key, fast key, hot key, quick key, speed key	In general, use keyboard shortcut to describe a combination of keystrokes used to perform a task. Example Alt+Ctrl+S Don't use accelerator key, fast key, hot key, quick key, or speed key.
access key	Don't use in content for a general audience. Use keyboard shortcut instead. In content for developers or content about customizing the UI, it's OK to distinguish between an access key and a shortcut key. An access key is a letter or number that users select to access UI controls that have text labels. For example, the F in Alt+F. A shortcut key is a key or key combination that users select to perform a common action. For example, Ctrl+V. If you use these terms, explain the difference.
Key Tip	In general, don't use in content for a general audience. Use keyboard shortcut instead. In content teaching basic skills or content for a technical audience, it's OK to use Key Tip to refer to the letter or number that appears in the ribbon when the Alt key is pressed.
key combination	Don't use in content for a general audience. Use keyboard shortcut instead. In content for a technical audience, it's OK to distinguish between a key combination (two or more keys selected simultaneously) and a key sequence (two or more keys selected sequentially). If you use these terms, explain the difference.
key sequence	Don't use in content for a general audience. Use keyboard shortcut instead. In content for a technical audience, it's OK to distinguish between a key sequence (two or more keys selected sequentially) and a key combination (two or more keys selected simultaneously). If you use these terms, explain the difference.
keypad	Use numeric keypad on the first mention. Don't use keypad by itself unless the context has been established and there's no possibility the customer will confuse the keypad with the keyboard. When in doubt, continue to use numeric keypad. In general, don't distinguish between the keyboard and the numeric keypad. When the customer can select two keys that look the same, direct the customer to the correct key. Example Select the Minus sign on the numeric keypad, not the Hyphen key on the keyboard.
keystroke, keypress	Don't use keypress. Use keystroke instead.
select, press, depress, hit, strike, use	Use select to describe pressing a key on a physical or on-screen keyboard. Don't use press, depress, hit, or strike. Don't use depressed to describe an indented toolbar button unless you have no other choice. Use use when select might be confusing, such as when referring to the arrow keys or function keys and select might make customers think that they need to select all the arrow keys simultaneously. Example Use the arrow keys to move around the text. Use use when multiple platform or peripheral choices initiate the same action or actions within a program. Example Use the controls on your keyboard or controller to run through the obstacle course. Be specific when teaching beginning skills. Example To run through the obstacle course, select the Spacebar on the keyboard or pull the right trigger on the Xbox controller. Consider using a table to present instructions that have more than two alternatives. Use select and hold only if a delay is built into the software or hardware interaction. Don't use select and hold when referring to a mouse button unless you're teaching beginning skills. See alsoDescribing interactions with UI, Mouse and mouse interaction term collection
shortcut key	Don't use in content for a general audience. Use keyboard shortcut instead. In content for developers or content about customizing the UI, it's OK to distinguish between an access key and a shortcut key. An access key is a letter or number that users select to access UI controls that have text labels. For example, the F in Alt+F. A shortcut key is a key or key combination that users select to perform a common action. For example, Ctrl+V. If you use these terms, explain the difference.

Key names

In general, use sentence capitalization for key names.
Examples
the Shift key
the Page up key
Capitalize letter keys in general references.
Example
the K key
Lowercase and bold a letter key when instructing customers to enter the letter (unless you're instructing them to enter a capital letter).
Example
enter k
On the first mention, you can use the definite article the and the word key with the key name if necessary for clarity.
Example
Select the F1 key.
On subsequent mentions, refer to the key by its name only.
Example
Select F1.

Ifyou need guidance for a key name that isn't on this list, use sentencecapitalization and spell it as it appears on the keyboard.

Term	Usage
Alt	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Alt key.
Application key	Capitalize. Use the Application key to refer to the key that opens a shortcut menu containing commands related to a selection.
arrow keys, direction keys, directional keys, movement keys	Arrow keys are labeled only with an arrow. Refer to similar keys on the numeric keypad as the arrow keys on the numeric keypad. Use sentence capitalization to refer to a specific arrow key: the Left arrow key, the Right arrow key, the Up arrow key, or the Down arrow key. It’s OK to use arrow key as a general term for any single arrow key. Include the and key in references to a specific arrow key except in key combinations or key sequences. Don’t use direction keys, directional keys, or movement keys. Use specific names to refer to other navigational keys, such as Page up, Page down, Home, and End.
*asterisk (), star**	Use asterisk to refer to the * symbol. An asterisk is used to indicate multiplication in a programming language or as a wildcard character representing one or more characters. It’s OK to use star to refer to the key on a phone keypad.
at sign (@)	Pronounced at. In most cases, don’t spell out.
Back	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Back key, which performs the same action as the Back button in a browser.
Backspace	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Backspace key.
backtab	Don’t use to refer to the Shift+Tab keyboard shortcut.
Break caps	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Break caps key.
Caps lock	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Caps lock key.
comma (,)	Spell out comma when referring to a key or the punctuation mark. Capitalize Comma when instructing a reader to select the key. Include the symbol in parentheses when needed for clarity.
Command	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Command key on the Mac keyboard. Use the bitmap to show this key if possible. It isn't named on the keyboard.
Control	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Control key on the Mac keyboard.
Ctrl	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Ctrl key. Don’t use for the Mac keyboard.
Del	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Del key. On the Mac keyboard only, use to refer to the forward delete key.
Delete	Capitalize. Use to refer to the back delete key on the Mac keyboard.
End	Capitalize. Use to refer to the End key.
Enter	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Enter key. On the Mac, use only when functionality requires it.
Esc	Always use Esc, not Escape.
F1–F12	Capitalize the F. Don't add a space between the F and the number.
Forward	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Forward key, which performs the same action as the Forward button in a browser.
Help	Use the Help key only to refer to the key on the Mac keyboard.
HELP key	Use the HELP key to avoid confusion with the Help button. Always include the and key.
Home	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Home key.
hyphen (-)	Spell out hyphen when referring to a key. Capitalize Hyphen when instructing a reader to select the key. Include the symbol in parentheses when needed for clarity.
Insert	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Insert key.
Lock clear	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Lock clear key.
minus sign (–)	Spell out minus sign when referring to a key. Use sentence capitalization (Minus sign) when instructing a reader to select the key. Include the symbol in parentheses when needed for clarity.
Num lock option	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Num lock option key on the Mac keyboard.
number sign (#), pound key, hashtag	Use # key to describe the key. It's OK to use pound key (#), including the symbol in parentheses, to refer to the keypad on a telephone. It's OK to use hashtag (#) to describe the use of the # key to identify a metadata term in social media.
numeric keypad, keypad, numerical keypad, numeric keyboard	Use numeric keypad on first mention. Don't use keypad by itself unless there's no possibility of confusion with the keyboard. Don't use numerical keypad or numeric keyboard. In general, don't distinguish between the keyboard and the numeric keypad. If a customer can select two keys that look the same, specify the correct key. Example Select the Minus sign on the numeric keypad.
on-screen keyboard, keyboard display, soft keyboard, virtual keyboard, visual keyboard	Use to describe the keyboard representation on the screen that the customer touches to enter characters. Hyphenate on-screen keyboard. Don't use virtual keyboard, soft keyboard, visual keyboard, or keyboard display.
Page down, Page up	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Page up key and the Page down key.
Pause	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Pause key.
period (.)	Spell out period when referring to a key. Capitalize Period when instructing a reader to select the key. Include the symbol in parentheses when needed for clarity.
plus sign (+)	Spell out plus sign when referring to a key. Use sentence capitalization (Plus sign) when instructing a reader to select the key. Include the symbol in parentheses when needed for clarity.
Print screen	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Print screen key.
Reset	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Reset key.
Return	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Return key on the Mac keyboard.
Scroll lock	Use sentence capitalization. Use to refer to the Scroll lock key.
Select	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Select key.
Shift	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Shift key.
Spacebar	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Spacebar. Always precede with the except in procedures, key combinations, and key sequences.
Tab	Capitalize. Use to refer to the Tab key. Always use the and key except in key combinations and key sequences.
Windows logo key	Capitalize Windows. Use to refer to the Windows logo key.

Special character names

Becausespecial character names could be confused with an action (such as+) or be difficult to see, always spell out the following specialcharacter names: Plus sign, Minus sign, Hyphen, Period, and Comma.

To avoid confusion, it's OK to add the character in parentheses after spelling out the name.
Example
Plus sign (+)

Microsoft Ergo Keyboard Mac Pro

Use discretion. This might not be necessary for commonly used characters, such as the period (.).

To show a key combination that includes punctuation requiring use of the Shift key, such as the question mark, use Shift and the name or symbol of the shifted key. Using the name of the unshifted key, such as 4 rather than $, could be confusing or even wrong. For example, the ? and / characters aren't shifted keys on every keyboard. Always spell out Plus sign, Minus sign, Hyphen, Period, and Comma.

Examples
Ctrl+Shift+?
Ctrl+Shift+*
Ctrl+Shift+Comma

Microsoft Ergo Keyboard Mac Free

See alsoSpecial character term collection