Rating: 
Summary: Get the function keys right, and it won't get returned!
Review: OK - I bought one of these after returning a Logitech. Unfortunately, the thing that screwed up the Logitech is also a problem with this keyboard. As another reviewer noted, this keyboard is an FLOCK keyboard. What this means is that your function keys have been remapped to some "new and improved" settings. I've been using computers for 25 years, and I want the dang function keys to be function keys. I think it's actually much worse than the other reviewer said.Here's the situation: If you want your function keys to work, you have to hit the FLOCK key. You have to do it every time you boot, as it won't remember your setting, and you can't toggle it permanently. So, if you want to hit F2 to get into your BIOS, you better hit that FLOCK key in the 1/2 second window and then the F2 key. The same applies if you want to get into Safe Mode (F8). In addition, if you forget to hit the stupid thing each time you boot, you'll find yourself doing something stupid, like cutting text or sending mail or whatever instead of what you wanted to do. If it wasn't BIOS based (in the keyboard BIOS), you could probably easily toggle it with the driver, but they made it the default behavior for the keyboard. I'm extremely frustrated with Microsoft AND Logitech. If the leader of the herd jumps off a cliff, you don't have to follow! This is the stupidest thing I've ever seen two companies do. This is an otherwise fine keyboard, but it's going back too. I tried to live with the Logitech for a week, but I'm not giving this one that long. I can pick up a Memorex keyboard for 1/4 the price. I'll do that instead, and I won't bother buying another Microsoft keyboard until they stop doing this. (I own 3 already between home and work).
Rating: 
Summary: Easy Setup, Extremely Comfortable!
Review: Over the last 2-3 few years, I've used no less than 4 different keyboards and more than 8 different mice. As a programmer, I spend hours (10+) each day typing on the computer and then even more time after hours playing computer games. As such, the quest for a comfortable keyboard/mouse has been a long one; it has become my quest for the "Holy Grail" of comfort. I have to say that I am impressed with thie setup. The mouse is one of the most comfortable ones that I've EVER used. The keyboard is soft, tactile, and well laid out (spacing + key size). Both components operate without the slightest hint of lag, which is one big turn off I had in my previous experiences with wireless input devices. As far as the materials quality, both components feel top notch. While the keyboard squeaks a bit when you torque it, the plastics are certainly of high quality and the design is clean and functional (lots of handy quick launch buttons, all well laid out and labeled). Setup was a breeze. I was somewhat concerned as it appeared that I would have to use PS/2 to connect the keyboard while my laptop does not have a PS/2 board. However, the base station only needs to be connected via one USB port for both keyboard and mouse. And if you are using the USB interface with a newer O/S, this setup is completely plug and play with no need for any driver installation (for basic features). Some of the advanced features (like the horizontal scroll) require driver installation. So far as battery life is concerned, I can't comment at this time. But hopefully will be on par with similar models (Logitech at work has been on same battery for 3+ months now). So give this keyboard a shot if you've been waiting on the technology to catch up with the concept, if you've been having pain with other keyboard/mouse setups, or if you just want a cool looking wireless setup. ------UPDATE-------
Since I've gotten this set in October (mid March now), I've been on the same set of batteries for the keyboard and I've changed batteries once for the mouse. Keep in mind that this is with regular 10+ hours of use a day. I've had some issues with the signal intering with other wireless devices (it's either my cell phone, cordless phone, or the router). This will cause the keyboard and mouse (mostly mouse) to act quirky. However, this can be resolved by 1) creating more space between your workspace and the suspect interering item and 2) hit the connect button on the base station and then on the mouse (usually the mouse goes quirky) a few times and it'll usually correct itself. Other than that, I have to say that I am still extremely satisfied with my purchase. Extremely comfortable! Cramping and pain in my hands have been reduced drastically since using this set. It's hard to believe that, before I got this set, I was feeling numbness and twitching in my right hand...still some pain now (you can't help it with 10+ hours on the computer), but it's much, much better.
Rating: 
Summary: Good functionality, requires line-of-sight connectivity
Review: The functionality of this product is good...when it connects. It seems to use infared wirelss, which requires near line-of-sight capability to work, instead of RF, which works better around objects. When I tried to place the keyboard and mouse in my sliding keyboard tray under my desk, I had to have the receiver under my desk as well and the mouse had to have an unobstructed path to the receiver to work. This required me to place a U-nail underneath my desk to keep the receiver in line between it and the mouse. I couldn't just have it anywhere under my desk, even though there are no objects under there that would obstruct receiving the signal. With my old Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse I could place the receiver above or below my desk and it worked if other objects blocked it's view. At first I also had trouble getting it to work through my Belkin KVM. The receiver has a USB cord for the mouse and a PS/2 cord for the keyboard, so I had to install the USB-to-PS/2 converter to fit it into my PS/2 KVM. After installing the IntelliType keyboard and IntelliMouse mouse drivers on every computer connected to the KVM I got it to work through the KVM fine. However, the drivers that came with the box didn't work through the KVM though, only the ones I downloaded from MSFT's website worked.
Rating:
Summary: Does not work as advertised
Review: The Intellipoint and Intellitype 5.0 software that comes with this set does not function as promised. The SW crashes constantly and more than half of the programmable functions won't program. This is a return item for me.
Rating:
Summary: Mouse keys are not programmable
Review: The keyboard and mouse are overall quite nice but the mouse has one glaring flaw - the two side buttons and the wheel are not truly programmable and customizable as is noted on Amazon's and Microsoft's sites. You are only given a limited choice of commands that they will execute.
Rating:
Summary: I Love This Setup
Review: The mouse and keyboard work great! I think that the best part of the combo is how comfterable the mouse is. Although I bought this product elsewhere for a little cheaper, it was a great purchase.
Rating:
Summary: No Doubt--This will be my next "new"......
Review: There is "no doubt" in my mind that this wireless combo from Microsoft will by my next "new" keyboard. I already use one of Microsoft's "Hot Key", "Wave", split keyboards and I will "never" go back to a standard keyboard setup ever again. I have arthritic hands & wrists, and since I have begun using this type of keyboard, my hands and wrists no longer hurt while I am working on my computer. The built in "slope-down" feature for a hand rest is ideal for people like me as well. However, it did take me a good 2 weeks to become familiar with the new way the keys and function buttons are positioned where they are, but I urge folks who are considering this kind of setup, not to be discouraged. It's a dream not have all the keys srunched up and jammed together like a "typical" keyboard is setup. I for one, will "never" go back to the "old" kind of keyboard ever again.
Rating:
Summary: Great Buy
Review: This has been unreal, the added mouse side button and the tilt wheel make browsing and game playing much easier. Plus the ergo keyboard is very good on the hands. Great battery life and freedom from cords. Much nicer once I brought it home than the logitech set I tried at the store. Only issue I had was getting the function keys to work correctly, but found how in help.
Rating: 
Summary: Avoid if you use a KVM switch or function keys regularly
Review: This is a great desktop set for at least 90% of users, but I must add a few caveats over the incredibly frustrating feature Microsoft calls F-Lock that will make this or any similarly equipped MS keyboard a poor solution for users that depend on their function keys or utilize a KVM switch that requires a double-press of scroll lock to switch between PCs. You see, on this keyboard and others in the line, MS has changed the PRIMARY functionality of the Function (F1-F12) keys, insert, and scroll lock to other functions that are primarily used in Microsoft Office. The result is that you MUST press f-lock before using any of these keys in order to restore them to their regular functions; while they function normally in your computer's boot-up screens, as soon as windows starts, you have to use f-lock to use these keys. Worse yet, this is a "feature" that is locked in the keyboard's hardware, which means it cannot be disabled. I use a KVM switch, and F-lock creates constant headaches for me. On traditional keyboads, pressing scroll lock twice switches to the other pc connected. However, thanks to F-lock, not only do I have to press f-lock before switching pcs using scroll lock, but for some reason if I want to switch computers again, I have to re-engage F-lock, hit scroll lock, and then disengage it again before normal functionality is restored. This is a problem that will only affect a few users, but for those that are hit by it, it's extraordinarily irritating. Another gripe I have with this set is that the mouse is fairly paltry compared to the MX700 mouse included in comparably priced Logitech wireless sets, and does not include forward/backward buttons (I suppose to help left-handed users who may wish to use this mouse ambidextrously). This is the only way to get a wireless MS natural keyboard, so for those who want it, this is really your only choice. But beware of F-lock and be aware that much more bang for your buck can be found in wireless sets without a split-style keyboard.
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Edit: It seems like this is a different set than the one I purchased; the keyboard is the same, but this one includes a better mouse (judging by the picture).
Rating:
Summary: A few dumb design decisions short of excellent
Review: This is a great product that worked with no problems out of the box.
Benefits:
- Great range even with my keyboard tray being under the table and the receiver on the far side of the table.
- Both, keyboard and mouse are a great ergonomic fit and perform well.
- Touchtyping is very smooth, keys feel just right and are quiet.
- Many useful multimedia and application shortcuts save you from switching to mouse for many tasks.
- Easteatically pleasing combo.
Detriments:
- Nonstandard keyboard layour with home/end/delete buttons being the most problematic for those who touch type. I keep hitting delete button when I want End.
- Function keys have dual functions, application shortcuts and function keys. Problem is that function keys are not keyboard default. This is wrong since most applications use function keys. No way to configure this behavior.
- Caps Lock, Num Lock don't have LED indicators. You don't know if they are on until you type something. Another bad user interface decision.
The few issues I mentioned will not affect causual users and those who do not touch type. However, mainly those people who spend a lot of time behind a keyboard will purchase split layout for ergonomic purposes and those are people who don't like non-standard layouts.
Microsoft engineers came close to delivering excellent product but fell short, probably due to lack of user testing during prototyping. Given the functional shortcomings I'm rating it average.
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