because I buy a store model desktop for the family , the store throw in this keyboard for free . I be a little hesitant at first because I be not sure if I could get use to the whole `` curved '' keyboard thing . after use it for about a month , I just could not go back to the regular keyboard on my laptop 's docking station . my hand feel so comfortable and relax use this keyboard , it do not even feel like I be typing ! in all honesty , it only take I a couple of hour to get use to the curved shape of the keyboard . all of these key be virtually silent -lrb- except the space bar , it be noticeably louder than the rest of the key -rrb- . because I use Excel , I be always use the number pad . if you also use Excel quite frequently , you 'll appreciate the extra row of key over the number pad -lrb- have a = , -lrb- , -rrb- , and backspace -rrb- . overall , I have be use this keyboard for about a month of consistent use . I be extremely happy that I buy this keyboard and I think it 'll last I for quite some time . whereas I use to hate have to use those `` funky '' ergonomic keyboard , I now dread use regular keyboard . kudos to Microsoft for make a awesome keyboard .