| I bought this setup as a replacement for my second Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000. On both of the 6000's, the space key broke/died/quit and rendered the keyboard virtually unusable. As a result of the many positive reviews, I went ahead and got this one.
It is a good set, however, I am disappointed. Yes, the numbered keys on the right hand side are gone. And yes, the F keys are also gone, replaced by touch sensitive pads. These things are somewhat annoying, but what really bothered me was the lack of a calculator key. I can't tell you how many times I would use that button when I needed to add or subtract something quickly.
That being said, the functionality of this keyboard is very good, but if you are a previous owner of a Laser Desktop 6000, this keyboard will be hard to adjust to. The keyboard itself is slanted somewhat differently in that you feel the keys have been moved to the right of the keyboard. I can not get the "hang" of placing my fingers in the appropriate spots yet, even after using the keyboard quite a bit in the last week. The blue labels above the F keys are very difficult to read, making late night computing difficult if you need those keys.
I will say the built in mouse is nice. I used it on several occasions and enjoyed this function. The Media Center key worked, as did all of the other buttons. But, as I mentioned before, it is a tough transition from one keyboard to this one.
The bottom line is I am going back to another Laser Wireless 6000.
| | Very good not perfect, but better than Logitech DiNovo |
| I own this keyboard as well as the Logitech DiNovo. The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is a better deal for the money. The Bluetooth connection is very good and easy to setup. I use this keyboard with my laptops running Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux. For Ubuntu there was no configuration or software needed, it worked right out of the box.
The laptop low profile keys on this keyboard are very smooth and relativity quiet. Unlike other Microsoft dramatic ergonomic key layout, this keyboard offers a friendly curved QWERTY key shape. Being a multimedia keyboard, it does offer a selection of multimedia keys also.
This keyboard as well as the Logitech DiNovo, has a mouse touchpad on the right hand side however, the mouse touchpad left/right clik keys are found on the left hand side. Due to the mouse touchpad and mouse touchpad key layout, you could just grab the keyboard left and right side and use the touchpad and press its keys with your thumbs. I want to make very clear that the touchpad is an alternative to the mouse, so it has its limitations. I dislike to lift my hand off the keyboard every time I need to move the cursor. For me they built in touchpad is a welcome alternative to a mouse regardless of its limited screen coverage area. You have to slide your finger over the touchpad several times in order to move from one corner to another. Do not try to use this touchpad in Photoshop or a game you will not like it. This is only a screen navigation device not a replacement for a full feature mouse.
Another feature that in my opinion makes this keyboard better choice than the Logitech DiNovo is that the batteries are removable. On the DiNovo keyboard the batteries are built in and can't be replaced. So once the built in batteries reach their charging cicle life, you will be left without a keyboard.
The rechargeable mouse is perfect since, I am left handed, and this mouse does have a friendly ambidextrous shape. The mouse brings a rechargeable battery, that is also replaceable, and a mouse only AC charging unit.
If you are looking for a portable wireless media keyboard I highly recomend this unit. Please note that this keyboard is not a full layout keyboard. If you are looking to replace your desktop computer keyboard and mouse for a wireless unit, I highly recomend the full layout Microsoft Laser Desktop 6000 instead.
| | Sleek, modern minimalism; built for Vista, compatible with XP |
| I've been waiting for this keyboard since December. Microsoft has had problems in production and deadlines about this product. As of the day I write this, Microsoft's website "Press Pass" still publishes an article saying this keyboard and mouse set will be released "January 2007." That didn't happen. But it is here now and I'm not too impressed, even though I'm satisfied.
I was debating between getting this product and the Logitech diNovo Edge keyboard (these keyboards are media-centered keyboards, no numerical keypads in addition). I've used the diNovo Edge and I've liked it. I purchased this Microsoft product because it is both slightly cheaper and comes with a matching mouse.
The diNovo Edge has a lithium Ion battery and a recharging station which looks nice but is impractical because it stands the keyboard on an edge so that it cannot be used while charging (looks cool). This 7000 keyboard, however, is powered by 4 AA batteries, but this keyboard is just as slim and sleek as the diNovo keyboard. On another Microsoft webpage that profiles hardware like this, it is advertised that 4 AA batteries power this keyboard for "an average of over nine months." What is weird (and almost unnecessary) is to make the mouse (unlike the keyboard) come with a recharging base. It is as if Microsoft started with the newer (yet to be released) 8000 model of this keyboard/mouse set (which is going to cost more) and just started subtracting features. For example, whereas the diNovo and the 8000 model of this product have light-up features for dark room usage, this 7000 model does not. Also, the 800 comes with a hub that both the mouse and keyboard use instead of just a hub for the mouse (as in the 7000).
For me, I was disappointed when I started typing on this 7000 model keyboard because the key-depression sounds are as loud as my laptop or PC (some people however like a stronger physical and audible feedback from the keys as they type). diNovo has soft key-depression, and even though this 7000 model wasn't advertised with soft keys I hoped it was a basic feature. The Bluetooth technology works as expected. My favorite feature is the keyless Function buttons which can be redefined for your specific shortcuts. My mouse came with differing pressure levels for the right and left clicks and this has been irritating (the left-click is very sensitive).
In sum: the 7000 keyboard has a cheaper feel than the diNovo (mine is made of hard plastic and the diNovo is partly made of fiberglass); but I shook around this keyboard and pressed on its sides fairly hard: it's pretty durable. This is currently one of the most sophisticated keyboards on the market and it's the most Vista-ready keyboard currently. It's sleek, ergonomic, and rests no higher than your watch on the table. I'm satisfied.
| | Sleek, thin, and very light keyboard |
| I got this MS keyboard/mouse package because I recently upgraded to a new pc that has Vista and was unable to use my old MS Desktop Elite Pro keyboard and mouse, which I really liked. Currently, I am running a Dell Intel Duo Core 2 processor and Vista Home Premium. I have had no problems with the hardware or the software. Install was easy.
***Important***
Some of the prior reviews state that there is a problem with the drivers and they couldn't get it to work properly, which may have been the case at that time. Microsoft has since released a bluetooth update that apparently correct those issues. If you buy this they have put an insert into the package that explains the driver update and provides the web address to download it.
Pros:
-Sleek, thin, and very light
-Lots of buttons to max out your Vista media experience
-Laser Mouse is extremely precise and comfortable (I do work on Adobe products)
-Mouse recharging station
Cons:
-Expensive (price may drop with the MS 8000 model is released in Sept.)
-No keypad, which isn't bad but takes some getting used to
| | I saw this keyboard in the store and thought it was great. I really like the keypad and the keypresses. It also has all of the functionality that I need.
I can understand how some people are upset with the design of the F keys, but they wont ever affect me for my needs. I do have a problem with the mouse buttons though. It is hard for me to hit the extra buttons. I wish the thumb button was further forward. If there was two buttons on each side, that would be better than one on the left and one on the right (which are difficult to hit). I will rarely need to use these buttons so it isnt really an issue.
My problem is that the keyboard gets laggy at times. I have never ever had this problem in my last 15 years of computing. Sometimes it does not read some of my keypresses. Sometimes it I can press a letter and it will repeat that letter 10 times in a row. As great as the keyboard is, these problems are unacceptable. I also noticed that they mousepad on the keyboard is very delayed anddddddddddd innnnnnaccurateee at times. (I typed this review on the keyboard)
When the keyboard is having problems, I notice that the mouse is still working great. I don't understand why the mouse would be fine when the keyboard is laggy.
Edit: This set was specifically designed for HTPC users which the average distance is 10' away. I thought I would mention that I am using this product 10' away from the receiver. It is advertised to work up to 30' away. the closer you are to the receiver, the less problems there are.
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