Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth
High end keyboard and optical mouse set with Bluetooth
wireless.
By Jon Deragon,
Visca Consulting
Wednesday November 10, 2004; 5:15pm EST
Wireless input devices have certainly become must have items over the
past couple of year. The plummeting prices, improved reliability and
better power efficiency have made wireless keyboards, mice and joysticks hot
sellers. An emerging trend within this new wireless market are combo
packages that include a wireless keyboard and mouse that operate off
a single wireless receiver. Up until now, a bulk of these devices
utilized 'radio frequencies' to talk with your computer. Although
popular and inexpensive, these devices have a tendency to be
unreliable at times, offer a limited signal range and still consume
too many batteries. Recently however, new alternatives have begun to
emerge and they bring with them relief for some of these technical
issues.
Introducing the
Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth. Utilizing all the
latest technologies on offer, this desktop keyboard and mouse combo
hold a treasure trove of new technologies and innovations to make
your computing more comfortable and easy.
The desktop kit
includes a standard configuration keyboard with extended
configurable control keys and integrated scroll wheel; mouse
utilizing high resolution optical tracking technology, scroll wheel
and configurable buttons; a USB Bluetooth receiver; software,
batteries and manual. The keyboard and mouse are attractively
finished in quality materials and a black / deep blue color scheme
that would easily work well in almost any environment.
The installation
process, while relatively easy and non-eventful for experienced
computer users, may pose a problem for novice users. The process for
installation must be followed exactly, and at a point during the
process the user must follow detailed instructions on initiating the
wireless connectivity between the devices and the Bluetooth
receiver. We would have liked to see this part of the installation
be more automated or give greater assistance to novice users. An
existing keyboard and mouse are also required in order to do the
installation. However, if carefully followed, the likelihood
of problems is very low.
Once installed you
are treated to the benefits of the wireless technology the devices
are based on. Bluetooth allows multiple devices (up to 6) to talk
wirelessly with your computer, reliable connectivity, with a range
of up to 30 feet and can be 128-bit encrypted for secure
transmission of data. So not only can the keyboard and mouse use
this transmitter, but thousands of other products that use the
popular standardized Bluetooth technology such as cell phones,
notebooks, digital cameras, PDA's, printers and other such devices.
All seamlessly connecting with the Bluetooth transmitter along with
your keyboard and mouse.
The keyboard is
designed with a relatively conventional keyboard layout, a split
ergonomic configuration would have been highly preferred. The
keyboard features a wide range of additional control buttons in
addition to the standard keyboard set for quick launching
applications such as your email, instant messenger and media
applications; launching favorite web sites; and controlling the
volume and play controls of your media; forward and back browser
keys and a built in scroll wheel. The front wrist pad of the
keyboard is covered with a simulated soft leather material that
generally does add comfort to your use of the keyboard. The
individual key mechanisms have a quality feel and provide excellent
feedback. The keys have a perfectly light yet decisive feel to their
keystroke action, making them very comfortable for prolonged usage.
The additional control buttons offer access to heavily used
applications, and the volume / mute controls are a definite
convenience. Gone are the old days when manufacturers of such
keyboards laced them with control buttons to useless applications,
'shopping' buttons, manufacturer's web site buttons, and other
non-productive buttons. The control buttons on this keyboard all
serve a valuable purpose. The integrated scroll wheel features
vertical and horizontal scrolling, with truly superb smooth gliding
operation that scrolls in time with the speed you move the scroll
wheel.
The mouse picks up
where the keyboard left off - visually appealing with its high
arched back, prominent deep blue cover and highly supportive
rubberized side supports for your hand. Towards the front of the
mouse features an identical scroll wheel to the keyboard - that
operates smoothly and highly effectively. After using the smoother
gliding scroll wheels on these devices you can never go back to the
notched jerky motion of older generation devices. The mouse offers
incredible support for your hand and seems to almost 'mold' into the
exact shape your hand makes when holding the mouse. Its heavy and
solid feel gives it a substantial feel that helps to provide more
accurate handling. The two mouse buttons are well placed and angled,
while offering excellent click action for easy single and double
click usage.
The keyboard
operates on 3 AA batteries, the mouse on 2 AA batteries. Using the
keyboard for a continual stretch of time, it performs flawlessly -
transmitting all keystrokes reliably. However, after leaving it idol
for a number of minutes, it goes into a hibernation mode to save
battery life, causing it to delay responding momentarily when coming
back out of hibernation when you start typing again. Although this
is not by any means a highly intrusive characteristic of the
keyboard, it is certainly worth noting.
The mouse is a
similar story, tracking mouse movements well and responding
accurately to mouse button clicks during typical usage. Even doing
finely detailed graphics work was easily accomplished with the high
resolution optical sensor in the mouse. But once the mouse goes into
its battery saving hibernation mode, the cursor typically 'jumps' when
resuming back into its regular use mode. The mouse was more of a
nuisance when this occurred because, unlike the keyboard that would
store your keystrokes then dump them in a burst onto the screen, the
mouse would suddenly jump and you would end up looking for your
cursor on the screen. During regular usage, the mouse only rarely
would slightly miss-track the cursor, but not enough to hinder your
operation of the computer. Another interesting phenomenon with this
mouse is that it is quite particular about its mouse pads. Using a
mouse pad that other optical mice had high accuracy on, this mouse
performed poorly on, with very inaccurate mouse movement tracking.
Select your mouse pad wisely with this one.
The Bluetooth
transmitter is a truly ingenious little device that looks similar to
a mini-sized USB memory stick, that plugs into your USB port and
protrudes only an estimated 2" from your computer. Which is
infinitely better than the typical wired receiver box that you used
to take up valuable desk space with. The accompanying software
allows easy configuration of a multitude of settings such as
configuring control buttons, character type speeds, mouse cursor
tracking speed and other settings.
Overall I was quite
pleased with the quality and performance of the Optical Desktop
Elite for Bluetooth. The shortcomings of the hibernation mode;
possibly confusing installation process are easy to live with in
light of the many positive aspects of this great combo. People
contemplating whether to purchase this desktop or a wired version
would most likely enjoy the wireless freedom this option offers, at
only a slight price premium.
The Microsoft
Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth requires Windows XP with Service
Pack 2 and a minimum system specification of a Pentium 233MHz
processor, 128MB memory, 60GB of drive space and an available USB
port; includes a generous 3 year warranty; retails for approximately
$159USD and is available immediately for purchase
at most major electronics retailers.
PROS - Attractive keyboard and mouse design; quality mouse and
keyboard button feedback; useful extended keyboard keys; comfortable
ergonomic mouse design; smooth gliding scroll wheels are a welcome
innovation; accurate mouse optical sensor; lengthy warranty period; easy battery replacement; Bluetooth dongle size and
ability to be used as a hub for other compatible devices.
CONS - Lag time when resuming from hibernation mode; installation
process may be confusing to novice users; mouse cursor occasionally
jumps; mouse cursor accuracy highly sensitive to mouse pad design.
About The Author
Jon Deragon is president and founder of Visca Consulting, a firm
specializing in web site design, development and usability for
businesses of all sizes. His many years in the technology industry has
enabled him to write quality, in-depth product reviews to assist
businesses make more informed technology purchases. He welcomes any
questions or comments you may have regarding his company's services,
this review or interest in having your company's products reviewed.
info@viscaconsulting.com
http://www.viscaconsulting.com/
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