Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 2.0

Rating:
Summary: some problems you might want to know
Review: First off, the handrest pad is detachable, which makes it very flimsy and easy to take off.
As other users have said, the new delete key size is a problem if you like to use the insert key for "ctrl+insert" instead of "ctrl+c".
Another flaw is that the lock keys dont light up on the keyboard. Instead, they have the lights on the wireless receiver, and a brief indication on the screen that you've locked/unlocked it.
The new assignments for the f keys are pretty useless. Unless you don't know your shortcut combinations for save and print, then the f-lock functions are a nuisance.
If you're already familiar with the shortcut key combinations, then don't bother getting this keyboard.

Rating:
Summary: A good unit with some very annoying "features"
Review: For those people complaining about range - I have tested my unit with fresh batteries and clear line of sight to about 30 feet. When the batteries go low, this range falls away, but the biggest difference is if there is an obstacle between the receiver and the peripherals, it will reduce the range dramatically - this is pretty common with these types of devices if you read up on other similar wireless units.

Pros:
1) RF rather than IR, so the range is omni-directional rather than just line of sight. This is great if you want to "hide" the transceiver on a shelf under your desk or something like that. (Older infrared units require line of sight).

2) Great ergonomics on the mouse, and good tracking precision

3) Great price/performance - you won't find a better deal on an RF-based wireless keyboard/mouse combo. These units sell for something like $60 at the Microsoft store (where employees shop!)

4) Easy hookup and operation with Windows XP (have not tried it on others)

5) PS/2 AND USB connector so you can use either the two PS/2 connectors or a single USB connector for hooking up the transceiver.

The Cons:
1) Everyone is absolutely right about the F key assignments - it is the dumbest design flaw you can imagine.

2) The delete key - Grrr! Why does Microsoft seem bent on "redesigning" the traditional keyboard layout? I'll bet they must have a patent on the design... As others have written, the delete key is over-sized and you are likely to accidently use it if you are not careful

3) Difficult to tell when the unit is running low on batteries. I use rechargeable NiMH batteries, and since their fully-charged voltage is slightly lower than regular alkaline batteries, the unit starts acting funky when they are not fully discharged. Checking the software battery indicator will tell me that they are 80% charged, but swapping them out will cure the problems. I believe the red mouse light (the optical tracking light) flashes when the batteries are low, but I can't confirm this in the documentation.

Summary
This is a great wireless combo for the "normal" home user that still looks at the keyboard while they type and does not make extensive use of the "F" keys. I bought one for my wife and my Mom, and both of them love the way it looks and the way it cleared up the clutter on their desks. When I have to do "real" work at either of their computers, I'll confess that this keyboard drives me crazy with its idiosyncracies. The mouse is very good, however, and in my opinion might even be worth the price of the combo.

If you are a "regular" home user that uses your PC for web browsing and emails, then this is a great combo that you will be happy with at a great price. If you are more of a "power user" then I'd recommend you look elsewhere - the Logitech MX Duo has received really good reviews, but is more expensive. For me, I'm waiting for the prices to drop on Bluetooth units, and will probably jump on the Logitech MX Duo Bluetooth when the price point drops down into teh $50 range....


Rating:
Summary: No range
Review: I couldn't get the keyboard on this thing to work reliably more than 3 feet away from the reciever. I changed batteries and tried changing the channels with no improvement. If the reciever is on the same horizontal level and the left side of the keyboard is pointed at it, the range goes up to about 6 feet reliably. At one point, I had the reciever sitting foot and a half directly below the keyboard and couldn't get <alt> key combos to work. Fresh batteries didn't help either. Maybe I just got a defective one, but it looks like I'm not the only one who's had this problem.

Rating:
Summary: Pros & Cons
Review: I just got my new wireless keyboard & mouse and the mouse doesn't work at all, but it could be that the type of Dell laptop I have doesn't disable the touchpad mouse. In order to use my corded old mouse, however, there is no PS2 port left to plug it in, because the KEYBOARD that Microsoft created uses the PS2 port! So I had to buy a PS2-USB adapter to get my regular mouse to work. I like the keyboard and haven't used all the features yet but it IS possible to know when the F LOCK, NUMLOCK and CAPS lock keys are on ... the light is on the receiver unit (NOT THE KEYBOARD). I hope the guy who wrote the first review is reading this! Now as for his other comments, I agree that Microsoft had no business moving the Insert key and making the Delete key twice the size. Those of use experienced keyboarders who type 120 wpm now have the aggravation of having to LOOK at the keyboard to locate the new positions of the keys. I question Microsoft's decision to do that! Otherwise, the keyboard is far better than the laptop keyboard so I have no complaints, it's whatever you get used to. If you're a keyboarder like I am, I think you'll enjoy this keyboard. Advice: If you buy it on ebay, as I did, make sure you get the batteries, CD software and instruction manual... as mine were all missing and I had to buy the adapter to get the old mouse to work, the batteries, and download the software (slow dial-up internet connections are a pain) and never did get any manual from anywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Desktop Set
Review: I purchased this combo a little over a year ago, and have excellent performance since then. I have only changed the batteries in the mouse once and not at all in the keyboard. They really mean it when they say increased battery life. As far as the software goes, the version 5.0 that came with mine is crap. I recommend downloading the new version that is 5.2. The bad thing about the software is it is two different programs, one for the keyboard and one for the mouse.

Overall 5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Works as advertised
Review: Ok so this combo isn't the best wireless product out there. But it does what it is supposed to. The package gives the user a lot of flexibility and usefulness. With no cords to get in the way, I can sit a couple of feet away and type or use the mouse. The range is definitely reduced when something is in the way. I tried putting the receiver under my desk or bed, but beyond 3 feet, it cut off. Now it's on top of my desk and it works great. Plus, with the receiver at eye level, I can see the caps/num/F lock indicator lights. They should be on the keyboard, but this isn't a significant drawback. All the annoying design elements that people talk about on the keyboard are indeed annoying at first, but I'm sure I'll get used to them. The shortcut keys for internet, messenger, calculator, etc. are convenient enough. After spending some time with the software, I was able to customize the buttons to open the programs I use most. However, I have not figured out how to make the media buttons work with Winamp instead of Windows Media Player. The mouse is great. Typical optical mouse. It feels good, and it has convenient buttons and the horizontal-tilt scroll wheel, which I might not use much, but which might come in handy with a smaller screen area. This mouse and keyboard get the job done, and after spending some time with them, the lazy typists among us will likely grow to appreciate Microsoft's design experiment. And with the $20 rebate, it's a great deal on a decent combo.

Rating:
Summary: keyboard good, mouse seriously flawed
Review: Overall I very much like the keyboard. The feel is fine and the layout is very good except for the new keys where the function keys used to be (this can be overridden with F-Lock, but the setting is forgotten after each reboot).

The mouse is terrible. The new sideways scrolling wheel is of little use, it takes far too much pressure to use the wheel as a middle button and due to its height and poor general ergonomics, my hand aches after using this mouse for more than half an hour.

I strongly recommend you do not purchase this combo if you are used to normal mice; my experience has been that you are likely to develop strain injuries after prolonged used.

Rating:
Summary: Get Used To It
Review: Some people complain about the F key assignments. I haven't used the F keys much since DOS went out and I began using Windows 3.1. The F keys are rarely of use unless you're doing totally repetitive work, consistently using the same program. The manual tells me that the keys can also be reprogrammed if you take a little time to work with it, but it's not worth the bother for my uses. Some also complain about the oversize delete key and the non-standard features. Get used to it. I work on two different laptops plus two different desktops and usually have to look at the keyboards for a few seconds to even find the delete, end, and home keys. It's kind of like driving a new car for the first time. Everything is in a little different location than the old car. And for those complaining about reception, take the receiver out from behind the metal wall, get new batteries, and try again, or return your defective unit (did you drop it?) for a replacement. This keyboard/mouse combo does just what it's supposed to do - it gets rid of a couple of those wires that are always in the way. Other than that, work is still work. A new keyboard won't do your job for you.

Rating:
Summary: Its a good keyboard
Review: The keys are really soft which i do like, and the layout of the keyboard it a little weird but you will get used to it like any other keyboard. The mouse is good too, just perfect size for my hands and the scroll wheel feels so nice. So far i havent had any problems with it. I just installed the software and plugged it in the usb port. As for the wireless capability the keyboard can be used up to 10 feet away for me, the mouse im not sure. Sometimes the mouse can be choppy if something is blocking the line of sight to the receiver. But overall if you are like me and you have your receiver right in front of you, theres not going to be any problems with reception. It is really convinient going wireless and at around 15 dollars for a mouse and 15 for a keyboard its a really good deal. So even if it turns our to be junk for you, its not a huge investment that ur are going to regret for the rest of your life. So i strongly recommend this wireless package, and you most likely wont regret it. I dont!

1 month update!
It would seem that the mouse only gets choppy on weird surfaces, i have a black table with small grooves in it. Mouse is choppy on that surface, but when i use the mouse on a mousepad or white surface its just like any other mouse with great response. So my warning is that this mouse works great but the optical sensor is a little flawed, make sure you are using a good surface before you get mad. Also keyboard is working great, no problems whatsoever.

Rating:
Summary: I'm Happy
Review: The mouse is AWSOME. The scroll button is really smoth and the optical sensour is soooo much better than a ball. I really like the layout of the keyboard too. The quick launch buttons are all very usefull. The hardware was very easy to configure. Just make sure you read the instalation booklet before you start attaching it to your machine. My only Gripe is I wish the range was a little better. I suppose in time there will be improvments in that department. For now its a great keyboard and I can easily sit with it on my lap a few feet away from my computer hutch. It is also very stylish looking and comfortable to work with.