Rating: 
Summary: one correction, however
Review: if you are held back by the claimed range of "6 feet", worry not. I have many possible sources if interference and it still sends signals 10-12 feet away. Even around a wall. Sources: wireless headphones and 2 cordless phone lines, the base is also just 3 inches from my monitor, and an inch from my speakers. Yet still 10 feet. Enjoy the freedom =)oh and born and bred on ergo-keyboards, what is with the #6 being on the wrong side?!! It's soo weird, but small so I can get used to it
Rating: 
Summary: Purchase a battery store for this one - you'll need it!
Review: In general I like the keyboard layout and the mouse. The biggest problem I have with the keyboard is its battery consumption. I go through a pair of batteries pretty much every couple of weeks.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely fantastic keyboard and mouse
Review: In my estimation, this is one of the best keyboards I have ever used. The ergonomic shape took a little getting used to, but it's much more comfortable than the conventional keyboard layout. The software set up with no problem, but as noted by other reviewers below, you do have to install the software first, and reboot, which is seemless. Unlike other wireless keyboards that used infrared sensors, I was able to use the keyboard and mouse from anywhere on my desk and did not have to point either toward the direction of the receiver. The absolute best part of this keyboard is its short cut keys. They're conveniently labeled and are particularly useful; I really love the one for "close" (F6), which I now shoot for everytime one of those annoying pop up online ads start to open. There are others too many to mention, but rest assured, I highly recommend this keyboard for all of its features. It's well worth the price.
Rating: 
Summary: CAREFUL!! Security problem
Review: It is as good as many make out and is the FIRST keyboard where I actually thought the EXTRA keys were worth the extra software install. But be aware: In a 2.4GHz radio dense environment - Cordless Phones; Wireless Network etc this keyboard may have trouble finding a clear radio channel. There are only 11 and only 3 do not overlap each other a bit. So you are limited to around 5 items in range of each other. (Including your neighbors with their 2.4GHz radio devices) I have had problems with two keyboards 40ft apart causing one to type on the other computer. Forcing a channel hop to a clear channel does not do it - kept fetching up back at the same channel as the other keyboard. Finally and ABSOLUTELY crucial - not recommended in a secure environment. Someone with a receiver for the keyboard could be just the other side of the wall - tracking EVERYTHING you type..........
Rating:
Summary: great keyboard with one or two issues
Review: Just a note: this review is for the keyboard only, as I'm using a Logitech MX700 for my mouse. This keyboard is excellent, but just has one or two things I don't like about it. First of all, I love the natural layout. The multimedia keys across the top are great, and I'm glad someone finally put a calculator button on, as I use it from time to time and hate going through menus to find it. Points for the Media key, which brings up your preferred player. Some people have said they don't like the delete key: I do, I hate having an insert key there. Having the ctrl shortcuts on the board are very nice too. Only a few things I wish they'd change: first, as noted by others, they should have F-lock on automatically. It'd be nice to have the lights for the locks on the keyboard itself. The keys are a little noisy, but nothing that's too loud. And finally, having one of the mm keys open your sound card drivers would be a nice addition to the sound keys. Overall though, it's a great keyboard and I'm glad to have it.
Rating:
Summary: wireless functionality works but keyboard is lame
Review: microsoft made some really lame changes to the keyboard: 1) insert button has been moved and has become part of another key. i am used to the old key layout, and i use the insert key, so this is very lame. 2) right windows key is gone. not a big deal but i did use this key and i see no reason to remove it. 3) system starts up with the function lock feature on, which changes all the f keys to other commonly used windows functions. microsoft couldn't even include an option to have the system default to f lock off. so, if i want to turn this off, which i do, i have to toggle this every time i start up the computer. 4) some of the function keys can be remapped to different functions, but why can't microsoft make all of these keys customizable to anything. they always keep the "power user" from doing what he wants. the keyboard is probably the same size as the natural keyboard pro which i was previously using, maybe it's 1/4" less wide at best. it is light and the wireless functionality works, but for me, it's just not worth trying to adjust to all the lame changes made in the keyboard. not to mention that it is an expensive product. i wish some other manufacturers would make a more intelligent natural wireless keyboard without trying to impose strange changes on you.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed
Review: On the positive side, it basically does what I want it to do. Keyboard: I like the large delete key, pointed out by another reviewer. Also pointed out on the negative side, and I agree, the default should be use of the regular function keys, not the special keys. I hope Microsoft will add some software to make that possible, but I see nothing in the current program that allows you to change that default. The Microsoft instructions speak about the "light" being on when the F-lock key (which toggles between regular function and special key assignments) is in a certain position. But there are no lights on the keyboard I received--not for FLock, Caps Lock, or anything else. So since I want the regular function keys, I have to remember to change the FLock each time. (By the way, even with the FLock key set to use regular function keys, there are still additional extra keys on top that can be used for their default values--e.g., Mail, Web/Home, etc.--or changed to other commands. Mouse: One of my main reasons for buying this was to use my laptop for presentations and be able to hold the mouse some distance from the computer, interacting with the audience. I've had mixed results. It will work at some distance, sometimes. So there are times I'm fooling with the mouse to be sure it's getting the signal, which is not ideal.
Rating:
Summary: Just One thing...
Review: Only thing I don't like about the keyboard is that you don't have anyway of knowing if CAPS Lock or NUM Lock is ON unless you start typing, otherwise, you cannot tell just by looking at the keyboard. Aside from that, I like the mouse and keyboard duo. No more cords getting caught when you're trying to move the mouse or keyboard.
Rating:
Summary: A couple of small improvements are still needed.
Review: Over the past 14 years I have worked with a number of different keyboards and mice, I have found that the wireless models are usually better and more flexible. I also am a big fan of optical mice because they break down far less than standard mice. Microsoft's release has you working with both a wireless mouse and keyboard and the results are good but a few improvements are needed. I found that I had to install the software first and then the hardware, I think this needs work to have the install of both hardware and software at the same time. Also you need to remove the old drivers as well before installing the hardware. While the installation was flawless in Windows 98, 2000 and XP, Windows ME did not recognize the mouse or keyboard at first. ME did find the keyboard after I changed to the USB adapter. Also the user manual, while helpful could be expanded with more information for the novice users. The keyboard, which is the natural model, had something I have never seen before, enhanced "F" key function providing you with additional features. Also included on the keyboard is a media center. As for the feel of the keyboard, if you like the natural layout this is certainly for you. The mouse is optical with an enhance scroll wheel, I found the wheel to be smoother when surfing the internet or working through documents. The fact that is optical is certainly a big plus and also I was able to work with both items over the 6 foot limit, another plus if you have to do presentations. Overall this is a very good product; Microsoft does have a model with the standard layout for those looking for a more traditional layout.
Rating:
Summary: You CAN cut the cord!
Review: The idea of a wireless keyboard and mouse has a lot of appeal to those like me who are tired of tangled cords getting caught under foot. Microsoft's Wireless Optical Desktops are very good products. They come in a "regular" multimedia keyboard version and "Pro" version which is equivalent to the Microsoft Natural ergonomic keyboard but with added features. Before use, software must be installed. Installation is seemless in Windows XP and 2000. Windows98 users may get an Error 1101 message about a 1033.MST file during installation. This is resolved by booting to DOS and deleting the msi.dll file from the Windows\System folder, then rebooting Windows and installing the IntelliType and IntelliPoint software. The downside to wireless is that, because software drivers are required, the mouse and keyboard work only *AFTER* the operating system is loaded. But, if your BIOS supports use of a USB mouse and keyboard, you can use both wired and wireless mice and keyboards in parallel. Why would you want to? When your operating system fails to start you'll know why. (UPDATE! Once drivers have been loaded, and when USB keyboard and mouse support is enabled via BIOS, you *CAN* do everything wireless! There no longer is any need to keep your wired input devices attached. I learned this after a few days' use.) The mouse and keyboard's dark grey and silver colors compliment many new similarly colored machines. The keyboard's additional multimedia keys located above the F keys are programable and may be used to open a browser (which doesn't have to be Internet Explorer), email, Instant Messenger, music, etc. The keyboard has a generally good feel to it though the space bar rattles a bit when struck with the right thumb. Note that the optical mouse won't work well on a black mouse pad. The mouse and keyboard should work within six feet of the wired transceiver. Placement of the wireless transceiver can be critical to the proper operation of the keyboard, i.e. not missing keystrokes during rapid keyboarding. The mouse and keyboard can also be forced to work on different channels in case you've taken control of the PC in the next cube. There are no lighted indicators on the keyboard for Num Lock, Caps Lock or Scroll Lock; they are on the transceiver. The keyboard's function keys are pre-programmed by default to perform new tasks. Pressing the F.Lock key returns them to their normal F-key status. Overall a very good product. It would be just about perfect if there were power buttons to turn the devices off when not in use to conserve their battery life. (This product should also work on Macs with OS 8.6 to 9.x or 10.1)
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