| I purchased this to use with my HP Pavilion zt3000 laptop. I've always preferred Microsoft mice. I like this mouse, and the keyboard is great, too. They have a nice feel. I am running them off my built-in Bluetooth transceiver and not the supplied USB dongle. Installation was simple.
Here are a few things to note. The box says these are supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (and newer), which was just released. Also, the mouse is a right-hand mouse.
Adding after using this for six months: The batteries last quite a while. Get some rechargeable NiMH batteries. Also, on my system I make sure the computer is finished booting before using the mouse or keyboard. It doesn't seem to like to try to go through all the boot process and start communicating with the Bluetooth input devices. I still give it a very solid 5 stars!
| | Its funny that reviews are by nature open to mistakes. The review that the Aussie left certainly shows the way this works. Microsoft sold the M54-00001 bluetooth desktop set for quite a while, and there was quite a stir about problems, such as you read here. All those were called back from the stores and replaced with the updated (and now current) M54-00013 version which is soooo much better! The new one has been out only a few months, and the Aussie had his for 1.5 years! The bluetooth adapter is better, the timing is better, etc. The M54-00001's and other of their early kin are still available on pricewatch. They are much cheaper. STAY AWAY FRIM THAT MODEL!!! Instead, go for the updated M54-00013 instead. You'll be glad you did, because it has the feel of a professional keyboard with lots of bells and whistles. For more info, check Microsoft's web page (and read the fine print). Its too bad the name didn't change. My bet is that they were afraid of returns and exchanges.
| | Exactly what I was looking for |
| I am delighted with the MS Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
Here are the factors that are important to me which they got absolutely right:
1. I had no trouble connecting with my Dell internal bluetooth module. (I am not using the MS dongle.) In order to accomplish the Dell hookup, all one needs to do is NOT plug the dongle in at the recommended point, and then instead of connecting using the dialog box that opens, open your Bluetooth Setup Wizard and "find a specific device."
2. The range is great. I am much too far away to see my monitor by the time I finally lose response.
3. The keyboard action is just as I like it - moderately high and "clicky." It's not as dramatic as the old Dells, but it's nothing like typing on a puddle of mush. In addition, the shape of the keyboard is comfortable for me.
4. The mouse is comfortable. I don't find myself pressing the additional buttons accidentally, nor are those buttons obtrusive. The scroll wheel doesn't click but scrolls smoothly. I was afraid that I would accidentally activate the side-to-side scrolling all the time, but I don't. Some web-based applications don't allow the side-to-side via scroll-wheel, but so far all the static pages I have tried work okay with it.
The one item that has gotten my attention in negative way is this (and it's pretty niggly): I love the new alternate functions of the "F" keys, but good old "F5" should have been allowed to retain its "Refresh" functionality. I hate having to hit "F-Lock" "F5" "F-Lock" every time I want to refresh a page without the mouse.
| | Excellent wireless solution |
| I have been using microsoft's line of mice for some time now. Overall, I am pleased.
Although I love my set, I cannot give it a perfect score for a couple of reasons.
1.) The response time on the mouse\keyboard is slow. If you leave the set idle, and press a key...you will not see anything on your screen for atleast 3 seconds. You can sometimes type in a couple of words (depending on how fast you type ;)) on the screen before it is displayed. This can be really annoying.
2.) As you probably read on several other reviews, you need to find work arounds to intergrate your set with other bluetooth devices....such as the one built in your laptop.
So whats so beautiful about this thing priced at over 1bill?
1.) Once you get passed the work arounds, it solves your dozens of cable problems. I dont need an external keyboard or mouse on my laptop anymore. I can literary sit several feet away from my tv and control my media center with it.
2.) Mouse grips perfectly inside your hand. Keyboard is so comfortable. Tbere is an extra cushioning attached to support your wrists. Previos keyboards had a hard piece of plastic there.
3.) Intergrates nicely with windows, assuming you install the software with it.
ehh...it looks like a hundred dollar keyboard?
If you find a good bargain on amazon, try it. May not be worth the suggested $150 BestBuy charges though.
| | Perfect Keyboard, Good Mouse |
| I bought this package purely for the keyboard. I wanted a new one with wireless technology and I was driven to Bluetooth just because it is so reliable. I do not use the keyboard and mouse together, however.
The keyboard is one of the most comfortable keyboards I've ever used. I am a computer programmer so having a nice keyboard is essential. The pad at the bottom is very comfortable and the keys are very well spaced and organized. The only real compliant is they cut some corners with the home, end, page up, page down, and delete keys. They moved them around from the conventional way which I still haven't gotten used to but it's fine.
I have experience no lag with either the mouse or the keyboard. I play a game called StepMania (a sort of Dance Dance Revolution clone for PC) which requires very accurate timing with the keyboard. I've experienced no problems here, it's spot on and probably the fastest ever. The only problem, really, is it takes a while to register if you haven't use the keyboard for a while since it must turn back on from sleep mode and reconnect. After that however, there are no problems at all.
I do not use the mouse with the keyboard. I decided to use it as a mouse with my iBook since it had built-in bluetooth. I had absolutely no problems connecting the two devices and it works flawlessly. I don't use the mouse very much, but the times I do use it I experience no problems.
Both the range on the mouse and the keyboard are extremely nice. I can go anywhere in my room with either the mouse or keyboard and experience no problems.
The battery life on the keyboard is also very nice, esspecially since it has the built-in sleep feature. I have had to replace the batteries once since I got the unit in January of 06 (currently June of 06). I have not had to replace the mouse batteries yet, but I do not use it very much.
Others complained about not being able to use the keyboard in the BIOS or startup screens, but I haven't had any issues with that. It depends on how recent your motherboard is, and mine is relatively new so I had no problems.
I highly recommend this setup to anyone wanting a wireless keyboard or mouse, or if you want to split and use the mouse with a laptop and keyboard with a desktop. Either way, you cannot go wrong with this package, it is extremely excellent.
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