Disassembling and Cleaning Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard
The Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard is a representative of ergonomic keyboards with a separate block for the left and right hand. The current flagship model from Microsoft - Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - is the most popular representative of ergonomic keyboards "for all". MNMK is the previous model, in which there is no middle joystick, profile bend of keys, a face key on a numeric keypad and some other functions; also the quality of materials and assembly, judging by the reviews of the owners of both, on the old is noticeably lower.
The keyboard came to me in this form (breakdown, cleaning and a brief overview below):
Before that, I never typed on ergonomic keyboards, but I got used after about 2500 characters, or a little more than 5 minutes of clean work; thus, I, perhaps, refuted the firm opinion that it is hard to get used to the split keyboards. I will immediately note a number of shortcomings:
1) Very tight keys. Hard push, bad feedback; It is because of this that my little finger and ring finger of my left hand immediately ached.
2) Shift case keys (Shift).
3) The keys are twisted and stuck, especially in the zone of the little fingers and ring fingers. Accordingly, the speed of work decreases and hand fatigue greatly increases, up to joint pain.
4) The number 6 is located in the block for the left hand, while it is pressed by the right.
All the shortcomings, except the fourth, can potentially be corrected with the help of cleaning, especially considering the current state of the keyboard. Actually, this is exactly what I decided to do, and at the same time document this process.
Disassembly and cleaning of the keyboard.
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Tools and materials:
1. Flat head screwdriver
2. Soft rag or napkin
3. Small (approx. 0.5 liters) container with warm soapy water
Disassembly and cleaning procedure.
1. Use a screwdriver to gently pry the keys below. In most cases, it will jump out of the groove. Put the keys in a container with water. We carefully remove the keys with metal guides so as not to damage the fixing points of the guides - in case of cleavage, the tactile sensation will be terrible, to the point that the key will no longer return to the position before pressing.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe the case and the surface under the keys.
3. Wipe the keys and put them in place.
4. Comparison of cleaned and uncleaned keyboard unit.
5. Do the same with the function, multimedia keys and keys of the digital unit.
6. Do not forget to thoroughly wipe the case and let the keys dry completely.
Here is the result:
As I expected, the keystroke became much softer, the key sticking disappeared. The imbalance, naturally, remained, which still negatively affects ergonomics - after an hour of work, there is great fatigue of the wrists and pain in the joints of the fingers. Left Shift even after cleaning remained “wadded”, there is no sensation from pressing this key, moreover, it often “wedges”. Unfortunately, such a keyboard can not be called "ergonomic."
The keyboard came to me in this form (breakdown, cleaning and a brief overview below):
Before that, I never typed on ergonomic keyboards, but I got used after about 2500 characters, or a little more than 5 minutes of clean work; thus, I, perhaps, refuted the firm opinion that it is hard to get used to the split keyboards. I will immediately note a number of shortcomings:
1) Very tight keys. Hard push, bad feedback; It is because of this that my little finger and ring finger of my left hand immediately ached.
2) Shift case keys (Shift).
3) The keys are twisted and stuck, especially in the zone of the little fingers and ring fingers. Accordingly, the speed of work decreases and hand fatigue greatly increases, up to joint pain.
4) The number 6 is located in the block for the left hand, while it is pressed by the right.
All the shortcomings, except the fourth, can potentially be corrected with the help of cleaning, especially considering the current state of the keyboard. Actually, this is exactly what I decided to do, and at the same time document this process.
Disassembly and cleaning of the keyboard.
')
Tools and materials:
1. Flat head screwdriver
2. Soft rag or napkin
3. Small (approx. 0.5 liters) container with warm soapy water
Disassembly and cleaning procedure.
1. Use a screwdriver to gently pry the keys below. In most cases, it will jump out of the groove. Put the keys in a container with water. We carefully remove the keys with metal guides so as not to damage the fixing points of the guides - in case of cleavage, the tactile sensation will be terrible, to the point that the key will no longer return to the position before pressing.
2. Use a damp cloth to wipe the case and the surface under the keys.
3. Wipe the keys and put them in place.
4. Comparison of cleaned and uncleaned keyboard unit.
5. Do the same with the function, multimedia keys and keys of the digital unit.
6. Do not forget to thoroughly wipe the case and let the keys dry completely.
Here is the result:
As I expected, the keystroke became much softer, the key sticking disappeared. The imbalance, naturally, remained, which still negatively affects ergonomics - after an hour of work, there is great fatigue of the wrists and pain in the joints of the fingers. Left Shift even after cleaning remained “wadded”, there is no sensation from pressing this key, moreover, it often “wedges”. Unfortunately, such a keyboard can not be called "ergonomic."
Source: https://habr.com/ru/post/37055/
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