| Excellent Hardware, Iffy Software |
| I bought this Logitech Cordless Desktop Comfort Laser to replace my Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 (which I'd come to loathe). With the hardware, I'm very satisfied. The keyboard is a nice ergonomic version which I'd grown used to from my long-ago Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. It's got a nice typing feel (not too hard, not too soft) and I've had no problems with it (the keyboard in the Microsoft Desktop 6000 dropped keystrokes). The only negatives I can come up with for the keyboard are that the space bar makes a bit of a clanking sound (which I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't read about it here) and the palm rest does show the location of your hands from the oil residue (trivial really). The mouse is very comfortable and I've had no problems with it at all.
Where I have had problems is with the Logitech Setpoint 3.3 software. I'm using Vista, so since it's so new, that might be the issue (though the Logitech forums indicate the XP version has similar problems). In my case, even though the software loaded without trouble, I sometimes couldn't open the Setpoint program. It would basically hang when I attempted it. I also was getting no mouse status from the Logitech icon (keyboard status, yes -- mouse status, no). The forums indicate there's also a problem with the Secure Connect hotkey of CTRL-SHIFT (it conflicts with quite a few important keystrokes in Vista and applications) and with multiple keystrokes generating spurious letters. Because Setpoint was hanging on my system, I just uninstalled it and am running on the native Vista drivers (again, without problem). Without Setpoint, I'm lacking some features. But, I rarely use those things, anyway.
So, overall, I give the hardware an Excellent rating of 5 stars out of 5. However, because of the problems with the Setpoint 3.3 software, I'm subtracting 1 star. Still, that leaves an overall Very Good rating of 4 stars out of 5. Recommended.
| | Overall, I am pleased with the purchase of this keyboard and mouse. One of my biggest concerns was being able to find a keyboard that had keys that weren't too difficult to press down. I went to a local store and tried typing on the Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000, and found that the spacebar was unbelievably stiff. Plus the keys didn't seem spaced well to me. They did not have the Logitech ergonomic keyboard there, but Logitech does have a tendency to make keyboards with lighter keys which is why I took a chance on this one. I was not disappointed. The keys have a perfect amount of resistance (not a lot). The keys make a soft clicking sound, but the space bar makes a much louder click, which could be annoying for anyone who hates noise while typing. I think the keys are perfectly spaced apart for me (medium sized hands), and the wrist rest is made of a soft material which is nice support. There are two sets of feet on the bottom of the keyboard. Two large ones on the bottom of the keyboard and two small ones on the bottom of the wrist rest. Something which could cause concern for others is the fact that the "home" and "end" keys have been shifted in order to make a more condensed keyboard. There are 4 preset buttons at the top of the keyboard which can be used to quickly open a folder or website of choice and this is a nice feature. The mouse is an extremely nice mouse. It curves nicely to the hand and has some extra buttons which are placed well. When I called Logitech's customer support and asked what the difference was between this keyboard and the keyboard in the Logitech Cordless Comfort Duo (as they look the same) she said that this keyboard is better made. What that means specifically, I am not sure. I do know I read a review for the other one about the feet on the bottom of the keyboard not being very sturdy, and the feet on my keyboard seem fine. So, perhaps that is the issue. Anyway, my hands are just flying across this keyboard with ease, and I am quite happy with it. I gave it one less star for the noise of the space bar (which I am already used to) and the fact that after shipping costs I almost paid $100 for it. Probably about 15 - 20 dollars more than I would have liked to pay for it. The keyboard and mouse also look sharp.
| | Great split keyboard, but mouse quit working |
| After using Microsoft ergonomic split keyboards for the last 15 years, I was searching for a new split keyboard for my new Vista system. Since there aren't so many split keyboards to choose from, I decided to give Logitech a try, even though I did not really want a cordless keyboard or mouse.
Unfortunately, I had to return this set after only 12 days of light use.
I had no problems installing the devices. I plugged them in, placed the receiver between my monitor and keyboard, and started the computer. Windows recognized the keyboard and mouse right away, and both worked fine without the need of installing any of the Logitech drivers/software on my Vista Home Premium system (except some of the special functions, of course).
The keyboard was wonderful. Great positioning of the keys, great feedback with just enough softness and resistance, great overall size, and it never missed a keystroke. I was able to touch-type faster than ever on this keyboard from day one. I would have given 5 stars to the keyboard alone, and wish it was an option to purchase it without the mouse. I also wish it was available as a corded device instead of just wireless. I still mourn this keyboard, as I really loved it.
The mouse was another story... The shape was perfect for my hand, but that's about it. Having never used a wireless mouse before, I could definitely tell there was a tiny bit of lag in reacting to my hand movements, especially after the mouse hadn't been used for a while. This wasn't too much of a problem though -- I thought I'd get used to it. What I did have a problem with is that the mouse cursor was not moving quite as accurately as I was used to, particularly when precise slow movements were needed (as when trying to resize a window, or drawing). Still, I thought I'd get used to it...
Less than two days after using this mouse, it turned itself off. I tried to turn it back on several times, but the LED at the bottom wouldn't light back up. I thought, okay, the batteries that came with the set must have been old and they're dead already. So I placed new batteries in the mouse and it turned back on right away.
The very next day, the same thing happened again! The mouse turned itself off! Now, surely, it wasn't a battery problem, as I had just changed them the day before. I tried several times to turn the mouse back on to no avail... I went to search for new batteries and, when I came back a few moments later, the mouse did turn back on with the same batteries still in. Okaaaay...
The mouse worked for another 9 days with no further weirdnesses, up until one day, I turned my computer on, and the mouse was basically dead. The cursor wouldn't move, the buttons wouldn't work... I tried to turn it back on: nothing (the green LED at the bottom again wouldn't stay lit, as if the batteries were dead). I tried restarting my computer, unplugging/replugging it, changing the batteries again, reconnecting with the receiver: absolutely nothing worked, the mouse would not turn back on at all.
I loved the keyboard so much, I considred keeping the set for the keyboard alone but, having paid $99 for it, I thought it was a bit much for just a keyboard that may follow the mouse's fate sooner or later. So I returned the set to the store and bought a corded Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000 (not quite as good as this Logitech -- see my review) and a corded Logitech MX400 laser mouse (so far so good).
So my review is split (no pun intended): 5 stars for the keyboard, and 0 for the mouse, so I averaged it to 3 stars. I'll probably never buy another wireless device in the future, as they're not quite as responsive and reliable as their corded counterparts in my opinion (and no need to worry about changing batteries all the time).
| | the best keyboard I've tried |
|
I bought this to replace my old Logitech Cordless Comfort Duo (w/c was still working, but I thought it would be simpler to buy a replacement than clean years' worth of grime).
Logitech did not disappoint. The comfortable split-keyboard is still the same design as their old version, with buttons that can be preset and a calculator key added.
The mouse is what's different. It's lighter, and its sleeker form is ergonomically better for your hand. Technically, it's a laser mouse not an optical mouse. I wouldn't be able to tell the difference; it works just as well. The new mouse does now have a useful battery-power indicator on top and a connect button underneath. There are new buttons on top for zooming in and out and returning to a 100% view and also a new button on the side for going forward to the next page on your screen, in addition to the old button they had for going back to the previous page.
It's the best combination of split keyboard and mouse I've ever used. The only thing holding me back from giving it five stars is the tilt wheel. It interferes with my being able to press down quickly and surely on the middle button. But that's just me. You may have a better appreciation of the ability it gives you to scroll horizontally.
| | Better than the MS equivalent |
| For a wireless keyboard, I've been incredibly impressed with Logitech's offerings. While I fell fondly in love with the ergo MS keyboard, since they first released their wired version wayyyy back when, their technology has largely remained "static" (e.g, they innovate like pondwater moves).
Logitech, on the other hand, even with the occasional quirk, has impressed the heck out of me.
I'm writing from this particular keyboard at the moment, and with no drivers installed, it friggen flies. Even with the sometimes glitchy drivers, it still flew. Unlike some of Logitech's other products in this price range, this comes with a USB cable-based receiver, rather than the dongle (which I'd prefer) On the other hand, I've moved the wireless receiver as far away from the PC as possible, next to the phone, for weeks it's been happily sitting smack on top of the PSU on my PC - with no interference problems at all.
Logitech even goes so far as to include a "locked" (coded mode) secure trasmission (if you install the drivers), sorta like setting up a bluetooth device, just easier. I've found it runs fine without the drivers - particularly this model, which doesn't have many extra special function keys (the calculator, media player controls both work without drivers - only if you wish to use non-MS warez, or the 4 preset buttons, would you need the drivers (or if you want an on-screen display of your caps status - if your receiver is stashed).
It is a joy to work on, for writing. If you're not comfy with split keyboards, this is not for you. Try it on for size at a local store. It does help me "keep it up longer" (my fingers), but at the same time, it's a bit awkward moving from platform to platform, straight keyboards to ergonomic... short "relearning" curve each time. While this has been ok for gaming, I'd not take it into multi-player mode due to lack of mouse precision and that slight lag that all wireless models have.
Speaking of the mouse, it eats batteries like candy. I'm still on the same set of keyboard batteries that came with it two months ago, but the mouse has already been thru 6 AA's in the same timespan. Not quite sure why that is - I know the drivers never accurately reported the battery state (there were two states, full green, and replace now) - and it would go from ok to replace in moments - not quite perfect, as I said. I suspect some of the power management is in the drivers, as the battery charge state (on the mouse) does not light up without the drivers installed.
Other things I like about it - USB or PS2, keys that click when I tap them, full size F keys.
Besides the battery issue, the only other issue I've noticed is the letter paint has worn off on some of the keys already, across the board - not good. Although I am a touch typist, I would expect a bit more quality - this thing is only 2 months in service, after all.
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