Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical Mouse and Keyboard

Rating:
Summary: Very nice, though a little confusing at first.
Review: I have Windows XP as my operating system, and tried to install the Itouch software by using the included Cd rom. I got a message from my laptop stating that the disc was "not compatible with my system", and figured that this product was not XP ready, and was going to return the product to Amazon. There is an insert included with the instructions that says XP users need to go to the logitech website and download the XP-compatible version of the itouch software, which I did. and it worked! I was very pleased after that. I wanted the options of being able to use the Cordless Optical Freedom mouse and keyboard as well as my laptop's own built-in mouse and keyboard, and had to reconfigure the drivers so all four devices would work. After I did that, I was able to use both keyboards and both mice interchangably. I'm no techie, so reconfiguring was a bit aggravating, but now that I 've done it, it's great!

Rating:
Summary: Best keyboard and mouse I've ever owned, period.
Review: I've had this combo for about 3 years. I've NEVER had a problem with it. I've only replaced the batteries in the keyboard once (as far as I can remember, anyway...they really do last that long). I bought a couple pairs of Panasonic rechargeable batteries for my mouse and they do last a good amount of time for someone who lives on their computer, like me ;-).

I'm heavy into web browsing, doing homework and project work (which is generally ALL computer-based) so the batteries in the mouse get a lot of use and do last a good amount of time thanks to the different power save modes.

The mouse has been through the ringer too, let me tell ya'. It's flown off my desk several times, thanks to inertia (I've retracted the pull-out keyboard/mouse shelf from my desk pretty fast before and the mouse just glided right off!) but it's sturdy as a rock and has zero problems still today. The keyboard's palm rest still functions after the little clips that hold it in place all broke off, thanks to other users of this keyboard that weren't terribly friendly to it, but alas, its functionality remains.

I recently tried to upgrade to the MX700 keyboard/mouse combo, but the newer buttons on the keyboard are mostly useless to me, like the 'webcam' button (i don't even have one), all those retarded F-Lock keys (I rarely use Word, let alone any other Microsoft productivity software) and several other buttons they moved around so it just throws me off, however, the raised buttons for the media playing (play/pause, stop, next, back) are all nicer and more pronounced when pushing them as opposed to this cordless freedom keyboard, but that's a minor observance.

I really wanted to like the MX700 mouse, but it's shape is a little bulkier than the MouseMan, and my hand is pretty small for a guy (they're ony millimeters smaller than my last girlfriends' hands!!!) so my hand just didn't feel comfortable on it and cramped up often. Also, the placement of the thumb buttons just didn't feel natural, as i'd have to move my thumb up constantly, as opposed to down (which i feel is a more natural movement for the thumb) on the MouseMan.

The main reason for this feeling is I have the thumb button on the MouseMan set up as the Alt button because I use a 3D program called Maya that relies on pressing the Alt key plus the left and middle mouse button to pan, scale and move around the 3D scene (which is a CONSTANT occurence) and it's much easier for me to have the thumb button on the MouseMan depressed constantly as opposed to the MX700's thumb buttons. Also, I felt that the 'cruise' buttons and the 'quick switch' button on the MX700 mouse are just too far apart for natural hand movements and really made me strain to reach them. Again, this is probably just because of my small hands, but maybe Logitech could release a slightly refined, smaller MX700 mouse for guys (and girls of course) like me. :-)

Well, that is it. I'm going to buy another one of these sets to have when the one I'm currently using finally dies...if it ever does!!

Rating:
Summary: device connected on channel Window Problem
Review: Worked great for a while then the "device connected on channel" window started appearing all the time. The focus goes to it, which interfers with your activity on your PC. (Must press OK on window or click on title bar of window your working on. Whatever you were typing is lost.) Have tried all the suggestions from Logitech such as moving things around, but no luck. Changed batteries, etc. Will not purchase any Logitech products in future, because Logitech is not addressing the problem. If they would not display the device connected on channel window, would not be should an annoyance. Looks like something left over from their debugging their software.

Rating:
Summary: Great Product
Review: The Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical is an awesome keyboard/mouse combo. I've had mine for years and it has yet to fail me once. Sometimes it loses its wireless connection or it doesn't detect right, but I think thats just something you have to deal with in the earlier stages of wireless desktop computing. The mouse is very comfortable and the keyboard lets me type for hours with minimal discomfort.

Rating:
Summary: Great to get rid of the cords
Review: So easy to use, flawless easy-to-install-and-setup software! NEVER any problems with the Logitech cordless connectivity. I've had previous problems with HP cordless devices and Microsoft cordless devices. The Logitech is just a winner all around. Had mine for 2 years now, and still going strong. Very comfortable to use, very few type-o's. NOW they have the Cordless MX Duo....same package, but the mouse is the brand new Logitech MX-700 RECHARGEABLE optical mouse (the receiver is also the mouse charger!!). Can't wait to upgrade!!! I'll never buy another brand of keyboard/mouse, nor will I ever go corded again! Works in all DOS, BIOS SETUP, and WINDOWS environments perfectly, with no add'l setup. Nice rotary-style volume control on keyboard, and media buttons for play/pause/stop/fwd/back (for use with Windows Media Player). Works just like a real CD player!! Plus shortcut keys to e-mail and favorite programs & websites. Who can resist!! You WON'T be disappointed.....

Rating:
Summary: most comfortable keyboard yet
Review: Although I'm not a huge fan of the mouse, the black cordless "freedom" keyboard from Logitech is the most comfortable keyboard I've ever had the pleasure of using in 10 years. The "extra" buttons are fully programable, which makes my life much easier when I want to pull up notepad, google, or my ftp program. The keys have a gentle resistance which makes them a pleasure to type on, and are fairly quiet. And this model comes with a detatchable wrist-rest - handy because I can detatch it, useful because most people really need it. And the wireless feature is wonderful: no messy cords all over the desktop and it works everywhere. Finally, battery life for this keyboard is excellent - I've had it for a year and only changed them once, even though I use it every day for extended periods of time. All in all a great buy, especially if you need and like the mouse - they both use the same receiver.