| Very nice, solid keyboard+mouse from MS |
| As somewhat of a keyboard/mouse collector (16 mice and 12 keyboards) due to the "unfortunate" quirk of being left-handed and desiring a comfortable mouse, I've tried quite a few over the years. I bought this set because Microsoft advertise that it's Mac-compatible, which is important seeing as I use Macs primarily.
Previously, I'd been using the standard Apple keyboard (slim aluminum), but wanted a keyboard with a few function keys. I scoped out the Logitech G15, as I had the older flip-LCD version and Logitech now supports Macs with their new G-series Profiler software, but I decided against the G15 because Logitech annoyed me with their Desktop Wave Pro set - which inexplicably is NOT supported by their SetPoint Mac software, even though the original Desktop Wave set IS supported. Grr!
This set from Microsoft is my favorite Microsoft set in years. The keyboard is fairly slim for an MS keyboard, which I like, and the keys are somewhat low-profile, which I also like. It took me an hour or so to get used to typing on it, as it has a bit of a weird contour to it - not quite as weird as the Logitech Wave, but a definite contour.
As mentioned by another reviewer, the keyboard is loud. I don't notice anything particularly loud about the spacebar, but the keyboard is most definitely loud in general. This doesn't bother me, as I tend to like the clack of a keyboard, but I can see how other people might be bothered by it. There's no way I could type on this keyboard stealthily while talking on the phone, for example.
For Mac users, the newest Microsoft IntelliType software is fantastic. Swapping a few settings allowed me to set the Alt keys to be equivalent to my Command keys, and the Windows Menu key (next to Ctrl on the right side) to be Alt, which is convenient while gaming - as I have easy access to Ctrl, Alt and Shift. The function keys are all customizable, allowing you to perform special functions, bind them to applications on your system, and so forth. One minor nitpick is that although you can bind a key to open your web browser, you can't bind it to a specific website - so I cannot, for example, bind my Mail key to automatically open my Gmail website. A minor nit, but it may also bother some people.
Another minor nitpick is that the F-keys are insanely small and are right above the standard keyboard, and below the special function keys. It took me a little while to get used to this, and I had to disable the iTunes functionality on the media keys because I kept hitting them while gaming, and popping up iTunes in the middle of a game. Not good! Due to per-application profiling, however, it's easy to disable them when in certain applications.
Apart from the above, I really like the keyboard. It's slim, low, the wristpad is of a material that's comfortable, and the keys are very nice to type on once you get used to them.
The mouse - which I believe is a Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 with a special white underside, instead of the solid black - took me a while to get used to as well, but I love it now. The mouse is very tall, which was a definite change from my previous mouse, a Razer Copperhead. It's ambidextrous, which is a big plus for me, and the sides are rubberized and very comfortable and keep it from slipping in my hand, which has been a problem with other MS mice.
The mouse is quite heavy, which I like, though others may not appreciate that. As is usual with Microsoft mice, the scroll wheel is heavenly - it scrolls so perfectly smooth, with just the right amount of tension. The rubber track on the wheel keeps your finger from slipping and gives good traction for scrolling. The scroll wheel isn't a click-wheel, but it's still very easy to scroll only one or two steps at a time, unlike the free roulette-wheel scroller on Logitech's new mice.
Though another reviewer complained about the loud clicks on the mouse, I don't think it's any louder than some Razer mice (Copperhead, Diamondback or Lachesis are the three I own) or Logitech mice (the G7, VX Nano and VX Revolution are about the same loudness), though it is definitely louder than some of Logitech's "squishier" mice, such as the MX610 and MX620, or the LX8.
I can also definitively say that the BlueTrack is amazingly responsive and accurate, especially for a wireless. After using it for a week, I still haven't had any problems with the pointer slipping or ghosting, or just plain teleporting all over. Very nice.
My only complaint - and it isn't a big one since I don't plan to travel with this mouse - is that although the transceiver snaps into the mouse, it's neither a Nano transceiver, nor does it snap flush into the bottom - it hangs out, which means if something brushes it enough, it could flop out. It would take a good bit of brushing, as there are four rubber teeth that hold the USB transceiver in, but beware if you store it in a laptop bag; your transceiver may be sitting at the bottom of the bag if you clunk it around.
All in all, I really am happy I purchased this set: it's a great value (combining a $40 Wireless Mouse 5000, and a $40 Wireless Keyboard 3000) for two high quality, rugged components - particularly the mouse. If you don't mind the loud clicks or loud keyboard, you'll probably love this set.
| | Seriously? I got excited about this desktop mouse & keyboard? |
| I have to say that I really like this keyboard and mouse....something I would never expect to come out of my mouth. The mouse has a great form-factor and is extremely comfortable due to the rubberized material on the sides. And it does work on any surface! I also am very pleased by the look of the keyboard & mouse - with the piano black finish. It's stylish and doesn't just look like a piece of plastic on my desk. I liked the product so much I felt I needed to write this review.
| | Fantastic keyboard & mouse combo for your desktop |
| I bought this to replace my old Dell Keyboard & Mouse I've had for probably over 10 years now, time was not pretty to them.. I decided to go the wireless route to save on cable clutter and desk space. After much research against others like the Logitech S520 setup, I decided to give the MS a go. I was not disappointed at all.
The packaging is pretty straight forward. The box contains the Keyboard, Mouse, instruction manual, product guide, software disc, wireless dongle, and 4 AA Energizer batteries.
Setup was a breeze. The instructions tell you to install the software first and then install the batteries on the devices, not really sure if you HAVE to follow in that order, but I did and everything went smoothly. One note on the install, it asks you to locate the model names of the devices you're installing. The keyboard was listed in the drop down menu, but the exact name of the mouse wasn't, so I chose the closest one and went with that. Once I installed everything I checked the configuration and the exact mouse model name was listed there, so I changed it.
There are tons of extras on the keyboard like volume control, page magnification, spell check. Anything you'd think of is pretty much covered and it's all customizeable as well with the software. There are no lights on the keyboard other than the low battery button. I'm used to the Num Lock, Caps lock and Scroll lock lights, but instead you get an on screen indicator that tells you if stuff is off or on, pretty cool alternative. They keys are pretty quiet and feel very solid.
The mouse is great and features "Blue Track" technology that claims to let the mouse work on virtually any surface except glass or mirrored surfaces. I've only been able to test on the mouse pad, desk and a book and they all worked perfect. The box claims you can use it on the carpet and all sorts of things, if true, that's very nice.
The whole thing runs on the 2.4ghz wireless spectrum and I've yet to encounter any interference from my wifi cards, cell phones, cordless phones or anything else, seems pretty solid. My PC is on the floor about 6 or 7 feet away and everything works like a charm. The box claims you can get about a 30ft working range out of these, but I haven't tried to put that to the test. Battery life is also supposed to be pretty good as well. The box claims you can get up to 12 months of battery life, but I find that hard to believe. My notebook has a Microsoft wireless mouse and I get about a solid month out of 1 AA battery, so we'll see how this does.
Overall I've very satisfied with this setup and hope to enjoy it for years to come.
| | Very good keyboard, mouse takes some getting used to |
| Installation was easy. Keyboard is very stylish and loud as a previous reviewer stated. Overall keyboard is very responsive and comfortable to type on.
The mouse takes some getting used to. It is rather large but the side keys are very helpful in going back and forth with web browsing. The dial on it does not have any stops, it just goes. Called Microsoft and they said soon all mice will be like this for ergonomic reasons. I am not sure if I bought again I would choose the mouse combo. I have not used the mouse on anything but a desk so cannot comment on it's ability to work almost on any surface.
| | Awesome Keyboard and Mouse |
| This keyboard and mouse are great. I love the blue trac technology on the mouse, will work on almost any surface. The keyboard has great keys and it is so quiet. Will always use!
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