Microsoft WLS OPTICAL DESKTOP 3.0-MAC/WIN PS2/USB ( BX2-00004 )

Rating:
Summary: Money Well Spent
Review: I am a Mac guy. Full disclosure right up front. I dislike Microsoft for their less-than-honorable business practices. Still, my Logitech set-up mysteriously crapped out on me, and when you need a keyboard you tend to grab what is at hand. For me, that was this Microsoft Keyboard/ Mouse combo, the "Comfort" edition. Yeah, the fake leather wrist-rest cushion is a gimmick, but wow... it really does feel like leather. Soft as a baby's butt doesn't begin to cover it. It is really soft and really comfortable.

Ok, big deal - we have the comfort nailed, but what about function? So much in this world is style over substance, but Microsoft just flat-out has the function nailed, too. I can't speak to the Winders software, but if it is half as good as the software controlling the mouse and keyboard on the Mac, it will be almost perfect. Set up is a breeze for the half-way tech savvy, though if you read and follow the directions, I fail to see how anything can go wrong.

The mouse is smooooooooooooth. Like a fine single-malt scotch or satin sheets, there really isn't a way to adequately describe this mouse; you just have to experience it for yourself. This mouse just exudes quality. Buckets of it. It's as if this mouse is crafted from a solid piece of metal. You know it's not - your eyes tell you that. Your sense of touch tells you that. Yet... it glides on the desktop almost like it is floating on a cushion of air. The scroll wheel doesn't click as it spins, it is just home-made vanilla ice cream smoooooooth. And the side scrolling feature that lets you scroll right and left is very cool, and very useful when surfing the web.

The "Killer App" here is the software. The smart scrolling and intellipoint software are just so blamed... intuitive. It doesn't get in your way, it works almost as an extension of your brain. It speeds the mouse and the scrolling at just the right speeds, all the time, every time. It is spooky, it is that good. When you flick the mouse to send the pointer across the screen, the pointer takes off like a bat out of hell, and then slows and stops precisely where you tell it to go. It is like it can read your mind.

BOTTOM LINE TIME : As a Mac guy, I have no love of anything Microsoft. Still, credit is due, and this is the best wireless combo mouse/keyboard I have ever owned. Logitech had better pay attention, because Microsoft is going to eat their lunch if Logitech isn't careful. Buying this combo is money very well spent, and in my opinon this is the best wireless combo I have ever owned, bar none.

Rating:
Summary: Mixed bag
Review: I read some of the excellent reviews before my purchase, so there were not many surprises. The name of the set is different on Amazon than in other stores, which was a bit confusing. Microsoft itself calls it the wireless optical desktop - comfort edition. My impressions after a few weeks of use:

Pros:
- The radio signal appears to be strong and is resistant to interference. I've got a Gyration Ultra cordless mouse, a WiFi router, and speakers near the base receiver, but both the keyboard and mouse work without a hitch.
- The keyboard is relatively comfortable to use with good tactile feedback, and the faux leather wristpad is nice. Microsoft has a knack for well-built keyboards.
- Love all the extra buttons! They are reprogrammable with the Intellitype program, which is included.
- The zoom function is pretty nice when the type on the screen is too small to read. I don't have to always have my reading glasses on.
- The mouse is ambidextrous (one of the few wireless mice that isn't ergonomically designed only for righties).

Cons:
- The mouse has only 2 buttons plus the scroll wheel. Most of the newer high-end optical mice have more programmable buttons.
- The keyboard is not a true ergonomic keyboard (despite the "comfort" label). Although the layout is slightly curved, there is not much wrist angle reduction when typing.
- As others have noted, the F Lock key and the new and improved function keys are a serious step backwards to all of us used to working with the old function keys. For example, I am used to hitting F12 in some programs. Now, by default this is set as a "print" function. I've printed out more than a few pages accidentally.

Overall I am reasonably satisfied with the keyboard and mouse, but as with most Microsoft products, I think it will take a few iterations to get things really right.

Rating:
Summary: i love it
Review: the design is cool and matches many modern black computer setups. my dell dimension 2350 setup is all black along with my dell flat panel. they match this keyboard and mouse perfectly. the design of the mouse is very cool and so is the keybard. the curvy keyboard does take a little getting use to though. its like a regular keyboard with a subtle curve. its not one of those "natural" keyboards. the zoom lever is a great idea but i hardly ever use it since it only adjusts the size of the text and nothing else. my keyobard and mouse have worked perfectly and i have never experienced any quirky mouse movements or unresponsive keys.

Rating:
Summary: Very good set, some mouse problems
Review: The keyboard is the icing on the cake: I just love the zoom sliding button. Great in Excel, CorelDraw and with the Firefox browser. The same goes for the 5 "favorites" buttons that can be used to short cut to documents or applications. The ergonimics is good if not great. The not-quiet-leather support for the wrists is fantastic. The mouse works good but not great.

One problem I noticed: I have 2 of these kits, one in the office, one at home. At home, I'm constantly struggling with the mouse. The wireless communication is being disturbed by (probably) my cordless phone nearby or whatever. The cursor jumps erratically over the screen every few minutes. Very annoying and couldn't be resolved yet. I still give it 4 stars because it works flawlessly in my office. Looks cool, too...

Rating:
Summary: Very good set overall
Review: This is one of Microsoft's best keyboard/mouse sets. The Keyboard and it's "leather" palm rest are really comfortable when typing. Keep in mind it is not a truly egronomic keyboard as the keyboard is still together as one; for that look to their Wireless Desktop pro which is a "split" keyboard for true egronomics. The main downside is the mouse is not their top of the line intellimouse explorer. However, it still works very well overall. The wireless capablities work flawlessly for both the mouse and keyboard. Overall this is an excellent buy for the price.

Rating:
Summary: Really good, if maybe not ergonomic enough
Review: This is probably Microsoft's best-made Keyboard yet. It feels solid and steady, much more so than previous ones, and well-made. The Keys have great feedback and it looks and feels like a high-end peripheral. The 'faux leather' palm-rest works very well. The mouse unfortunately is not MS' high-end explorer, but the more simple optical mouse. It works well, but will leave some longing for the better contoured, button-rich explorer 3.0. The keyboard shape itself is a bit of a mixed bag, it feel like Microsoft tried to do everyone right, and missed it slightly either way: If you want a truly ergonomic board, don't get this; you can beat MS' own Optical Keyboard Pro (true ergo, and split). This is more akin to a more comfortable standard keyboard than something truly ergonomically styled. But, if that doesn't bother you, this is a good buy at a good price. Wireless works absolutely flawlessly, though the reach could be a tad bit farther.

Rating:
Summary: Does not work for games
Review: This keyboard and mouse has a great feel, and is great for casual use. However, this combo is HORRIBLE for gaming. The keyboard has a serious flaw that will "release" a key even while it is still pressed down. The result is in many games (and even some programs) while you are holding down a key (in a first person shooter you often hold W to run) it will suddenly stop responding. You will still be holding W down, but the keyboard won't be registering this. This makes playing 90% of games an aggravating experience. Microsoft has refused to acknowledge that this is a defect, and says that the keyboard is still usuable and they probably won't fix it in the future. Gamers beware!