tenkeyless Microsoft Natural Elite

[cbf123]

Well, I bit the bullet and chopped the numpad off my MS Natural Elite over the weekend.

While it was open I noticed that one of the supports for one the stabilizers was broken so I fixed that up.  I then followed the instructions here for the surgery.

On reassembly everything seems to be functional, though I think the enter key requires a bit more force than before to register a keypress.  I may have to take it all apart again and make sure there's no tiny debris in between the membrane contacts.  I'm tempted to pick up some conductive paint and touch up the pad while I'm at it.

I'll get pictures up here later.

[Daniel Beaver]

Yeah, I tried that awhile back and it worked pretty well. The far-right keys can be a bit finicky to get working again, but careful futzing can bring it back to life. No idea what the issue with the enter key might be, though...

I've always really liked the shape of the MS Natural elite, even compared the other MS Natural keyboard (which considered superior by most). I used it as a daily driver years ago, and I still have my modded one stuck in storage with my Bottomless Bucket of M's.

[shrap]

I've also done the tenkeyless mod to two of my MS Natural Elites. Both are wonky in various ways, but it shifted me to the tenkeyless mode of thought. I think since the membrane and mylar aren't rigidly held in place, the slightest shift will cause keys to function erratically. They also needed more feet as the rightmost one is lost.

I'm sure if you take the time to make sure everything lines up right, it will work well enough.