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MS Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth |
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Keyboard and Mouse, The Verdict
The Keyboard
The top quarter of the keyboard is metallic blue, and the buttons located in that vicinity are a sleek silver finish. The function keys are a dull silver. The alpha-numeric keys are translucent blue. This is one sexy keyboard. Microsoft exceeds expectations in their hardware's looks department once again. The alphanumeric keys have that great feel about them. They're not too hard or loose to operate, they're just right.
The silver shortcut keys located at the top of the keyboard are, in order: "My Documents", "My Pictures", "My Music", "Mute", "Play/Pause", "Stop", "Volume up/down", "Next Track", "Previous Track", "Media", "Mail", "Web/Home", "Messenger", "Calculator", "Log Off" and "Sleep". Most of these buttons can be reprogrammed to perform different functions or open programs, or be disabled all together. The volume control however, only has the option to display the volume level on the screen when operated.
The function keys can also be reprogrammed to open programs or perform certain functions. Switching between actual uses of the F1, F2, etc keys to the programmed functions is as easy as simply pressing the "F Lock" key located to the right of the function keys. Reprogramming these buttons and changing other keyboard settings are of course performed with the IntelliType software that comes with the product.
The signal refresh rate is excellent with this wireless keyboard. Typing seems to show no difference in speed of data transmission between this Bluetooth Wireless keyboard and a cabled keyboard. The transmission speed doesn't seem to be affected even when the keyboard is used quite far away from the transceiver.
The only thing that can be a little irritating sometimes is that after long periods of non-use while the PC is on, typing something on the keyboard will not have any effect for a few seconds because the keyboard has to wake up, then the Bluetooth Transceiver has to pick up the signal again. Anything that is pressed on the keyboard while it is in sleep mode, however, is finally actioned after the computer has detected it again.
To save battery power, instead of there being indication lights for the Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock keys on the keyboard itself, the status of these keys are briefly displayed on the screen after pressing the respective key.
The Mouse
Exactly the same physical design as the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer, but in a cooler looking metallic blue colour with a sleek silver scroll wheel surround. The Wireless Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth is a very good looking peripheral as well. As with the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer, the design of the mouse conforms to the shape of your opened, relaxed hand. Again, this mouse is available only for right handed users. Having reviewed the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer previously (not for OCAU), I can say without a shadow of a doubt, there is a *HUGE* improvement in performance in terms of accuracy and speed with the Bluetooth technology in place. Although there is still something I can't really put my finger on in terms of accuracy, it only takes a short period of time using the mouse to get used to controlling it as easily as you would a cabled mouse. I feel compelled to mention again, the accuracy and speed of this Wireless Mouse for Bluetooth is a massive improvement over the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer!
For some reason, just as a point of interest, the LED is now mounted pointing to the left, instead of pointing towards the front like most of the other Microsoft optical mice. Who knows why - most likely to allow added circuitry to fit in. Unlike the Wireless Intellimouse Explorer, the LED located on the underside of the mouse no longer flashes until used to conserve power. It now simply dims when not being moved, just as the standard cabled optical mice do. Perhaps a less power draining LED has been used in this model in order to keep power usage down enough for it to be able to do this. This is also most likely a key factor in the mouse being more accurate than it's previous wireless counterparts.
The mouse has 5 buttons, two on the side (default as "Back" and "Forward"), the two standard right and left mouse buttons and the scroll wheel also acts as a button. All the buttons are programmable through the use of the IntelliPoint software. The two side buttons are quite easy to access with the thumb, and the thumb rest is placed just below those two buttons. The scroll wheel is just right, "not too heavy, not too light" as they say. It is not too hard to move, but not so loose that you scroll 1500 lines through a document when you only wanted to go 5. As with the keyboard, after a prolonged period of non-use, when the mouse is moved again, the Bluetooth transceiver must pick up the signal
of the mouse. It should be noted that both devices do this in a separate process... So waking the keyboard up will not at the same time wake up the mouse, and vice-versa.
The Verdict
If you are looking for one of the fastest and most accurate wireless keyboard/mouse combinations available, the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth is the way to go. The superior signal refresh rate Bluetooth provides gives exceptional performance for those looking to free themselves of wires, yet don't want to sacrifice ease of use and quality. The Bluetooth technology also provides additional functionality and value for money, in that it is compatible with other Bluetooth compatible
devices. The Microsoft Optical Desktop for Bluetooth also oozes class with its futuristic and stylish good looks. As with previous wireless products I have reviewed, I recommend that if purchasing this product, also invest in some high quality rechargeable AA batteries - they'll save you a lot of time and money in the end. (Although in the five days I have been using the desktop, the batteries have maintained excellent power. I couldn't tell you how long they last for, because I was unable to flatten them during the course of my usage and testing.
The Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth retails for RRP AUD $399. Pretty high up there, but in comparison to the price you would pay for a wireless desktop package with a slow radio refresh rate, you can see the price is somewhat justified in features and new technology. The street price seems to be around the AUD $320 mark. For more information on Microsoft’s Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth, visit Microsoft’s Hardware page here.
James Rogers owns, designs and maintains XboxActive.com.
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