| Do not buy for a Media PC |
| I bought this combo keyboard and mouse for use on a Media PC from about 9 feet away. Unfortunately the product description didn't mention the range of the keyboard and mouse to the receiver. After opening the package, setting it up, and messing with it from a distance of about a foot away, I thought, "This is sweet!" because the keyboard and mouse felt good to use. It was very responsive, the keyboard felt good to the touch, and even without drivers, a few of the enhanced function keys worked. Then I moved back to my couch and said, "What the heck is this garbage?" because the mouse and keyboard would barely respond to anything I was doing on-screen. Then I opened the manual and looked at the instructions.
It has a range of 8 INCHES.
I was originally debating on getting a combo bluetooth keyboard and mouse, however most of those combos are really expensive, BUT they have a range of 33 feet. I was expecting better range from this wireless technology. I figure what's the point if you don't have any range? I'm kind of at a crossroads between keeping this and sending it back because for my desktop computer, I'm using a tried and true 15 year old keyboard that came with my old 486 machine. Even lacks windows keys, but it works great. I may use this to replace it, since the receiver will be within 8 inches, and I do like the feel of the keyboard and mouse. Plus I don't want to spend 10 dollars to ship this back.
So, to those of you intending to use this for a Media PC - DON'T, unless you want to have your nose touch your TV screen, or if you want to buy a USB extension cord in addition to this keyboard/mouse combo to move the receiver all the way across the room to where you're sitting. All around, I'm disappointed.
To Amazon Staff: Can you please add ranges to your product descriptions for wireless items such as this? It will help us determine which is more appropriate for the uses we intend to do and avoid dissatisfied customers.
| | OUT OF HE BOX
I own a Logitech C-BK16A Dual wireless keyboard and mouse. My first impression of the Logitech MK 300 is that the keys are full size; but the keyboard is thinner, lightweight and shorter in length and width. There are some tabs in the back we can open to prop the keyboard at an angle.
The receiver is small and bent to rest inconspicuously on the desktop tower out of my way. A direct line of sight is not necessary for the keyboard and mouse to work -- huge improvement over the Dual, which means I have a less cluttered desktop.
MK 300 is advertised as spill resistant, but I hesitate to test that claim.
SOFTWARE
Although the keyboard and mouse work right out of the box, I need to install the software to adjust the sensitivity of the mouse and flip the function of the mouse buttons. I couldn't do that from the Vista mouse control screen. The software is also necessary to control the function button assignments and the hotkey assignments.
The Logitech software has a keyboard encryption feature. I never really thought about that before, but now my keyboard is secure from the prying eyes of other computers.
KEYBOARD
The hotkeys give one touch control to the keyboard. At the touch of a button, I can download email or launch my browser or Google something.
While programming the hotkeys and function keys, I notice the calculator. I always need a calculator when working on my computer. I press it and one pops up immediately on the screen.
Also available is the PC power button. Push that and the FN key and the computer goes quickly to sleep. Do it again, and it wakes up.
The keys respond well to typing. Logitech advertises a quieter experience. I can still hear myself typing and banging the space bar, although it is more muffled compared to the Dual. I wouldn't pay that much attention to this normally, except that it was on the box and it made me take notice.
One thing I miss is MK 300 lacks a volume dial, a function available on my Dual keyboard. Volume is instead controlled by the hotkeys.
MOUSE
The mouse is where this package shines. It is lightweight, fits in both my left and right hands comfortably, slides along the desk smoothly. As for responsiveness, I didn't know responsiveness could be any better until I tried this mouse. The mouse glides like it's on butter and the cursor flows right with it.
It is a little difficult for me to highlight material that requires scrolling. The pointer is extremely sensitive and I find myself scrolling and highlighting an entire page. Moving the mouse back the other direction will have me overshoot my starting point. I haven't found a way to make the scrolling while highlighting less sensitive. My workaround is to zoom out, so that I don't need to scroll.
Zooming in and out is made easy on this system. Just press the CTRL key and roll the wheel on the mouse. Whatever page I'm viewing, whether website or document, is instantly enlarged.
Of course, the wheel and buttons on the mouse are also customizable via the Logitech software.
PROS:
+ customizable one touch control of many computer functions
+ advertised to be spill-resistant
+ receiver can be hidden, doesn't require a direct line of sight to the keyboard
+ no wires to get in the way
+ stroke encryption feature
+ mouse glides smoothly and is more responsive than any other mouse I've ever used
+ zooming is quick and easy
+ keys are full size but keyboard is more compact and lightweight
+ graphic intensive manual is easy to follow
+ comes with a 5 year warranty
CONS
- no volume control dial, must use hotkey
- highlighting material that requires scrolling is difficult
- need to install software (compatible with Vista and XP) for full functionality
SUMMARY
Not all keyboards are created equal. I spend a lot of time on my keyboard and I do appreciate many of the subtle improvements: no cords to get in the way, no unsightly receivers, quick access to a calculator, quick and easy zoom, a secured keyboard, smooth mouse control. It's an excellent package, the best wireless keyboard and mouse I've ever owned.
| | Excellent basic wireless keyboard and mouse |
| I have been using the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set for my desktop computer for a year and think it's the best keyboard and mouse I've ever used. I tried this MK 300 with my Toshiba Satellite laptop (running 32-bit Vista) and am very impressed.
I unpacked the box, plugged the receiver into my laptop's USB port, and the MK 300's mouse and keyboard worked immediately. When I installed the Setpoint software from the CD-ROM and rebooted the laptop, all the function keys worked beautifully to bring up the various Microsoft Office programs, Windows search, Windows functions (save, undo, redo), and so forth.
The USB receiver is larger than the Wave's, and the keyboard and mouse are much more compact. The mouse lacks the convenience buttons on either side that navigate forward and backward in Web pages, and the keyboard does not have the palm rest and ergonomic design of the Wave's. But the mouse and keyboard are both comfortable and as responsive as the Wave's.
If you are looking for a compact wireless desktop set for your Windows computer (not compatible with Mac OS) at a bargain price, I would definitely recommend the MK 300.
| | A solid value at an attractive price |
| The MK300 is Logitech's entry-level model of wireless desktop keyboard/mouse combos.
Receiver
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Instead of the USB stick that is so common these days, the receiver is a small black curved plastic piece designed to sit on a desktop. It features a "connect" button which lets you pair it with the mouse and keyboard. It comes with a few feet of USB cable.
Mouse
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The mouse is average in size and features two buttons and a scroll wheel. An on-off switch underneath allows saving battery life when not in use. The top slides open to reveal the two AA batteries. The mouse can function with only one of the batteries installed. There's not much to be said about it since it's such an ordinary mouse with basic features -- not that it's a bad thing, mind you. Everything works as expected, it's well balanced and tracks well.
Keyboard
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The keyboard takes two AAA batteries. It is lightweight, almost flimsy, however this does not translate at all in the typing: this is a solid keyboard designed to withstand serious typing.
The extra features are reduced to a minimum: the function keys are double-labeled with some blue print and there is an extra row of keys at the top of the keyboard for volume control and application launching. Some of the features can only be used via the Logitech software, which is Windows-only, but it's perfectly usable on a Mac or Linux as long as you don't mind not having access to the proprietary features.
Conclusion
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The MK300 is an inexpensive cordless set from the reference keyboard and mouse manufacturer. It does not come with any fancy features, but it excels at what it does. If you need a basic cordless desktop set, save yourself the grief and avoid the lousy no-name sets one finds in discount stores and opt for this one instead. You won't regret it.
| | Great keyboard/mouse combo for the price |
| $40.00 can't buy you much in electronics anymore. So when Logitech released a sub-$40.00 wireless desktop keyboard and mouse combo kit, I thought it would be a great time to upgrade.
I have been using a 2 year old Logitech Cordless Desktop LX 710 Laser keyboard and mouse combo kit. I purchased the LX 710 because of the high reviews and one in particular which said that this women types for 8 hours a day and hasn't found a better keyboard than this. I was sold! After 2 years, I must agree that the LX 710 was a great keyboard. But keys wear out and gunk collects. I didn't have the desire to spend $80 on another keyboard and mouse. Seeing the new MK 300 for sale on Amazon I decided to try it out. Worst case, I could return it.
Turns out that the MK 300 has a similar key design to the LX 710. Thin keys, quick response, and a clean look made me a happy shopper. I don't like bulky keys that require effort to push down or make loud 'click' sounds. I like a nimble keyboard and the MK 300 hit the spot. The best part is the low $40.00 cost.
After upgrading to a laser mouse 2 years ago, I didn't notice much difference compared to the standard infrared design of the MK 300. Experts claim that the laser sensor is more accurate, however I didn't notice a difference. And I do Photoshop work daily. In my opinion, the inclusion of the USB sensor extension cable makes all the difference - a must have!
At the end of the day, I had a great keyboard and mouse for only $40.
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