Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 

Unlike its Sidewinder gaming devices, now considered to be part of a quickly decreasing market, Microsoft has continued to develop the range and functionality of its keyboards and mice. While the two input devices of its Wireless Optical Desktop package may visually appear to be the ideal partnership, I cannot help but wonder if this combination was perhaps not the original intention. This thought was brought about by the installation process required for both items. With the IntelliType Pro software for the keyboard, you would need to select United Kingdom as the country of origin. However the IntelliPoint mouse software gave the option of England in its list of countries of origin. Although only a small anomaly, it is not the sort to engender confidence but then Microsoft makes a habit of doing things its own way.

Once installed, the mouse requires a system reboot but the keyboard doesn’t, the two devices communicate via a receiver unit that is connected to the PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports on the system box. Power comes from a pair of batteries inserted into both input devices. Microsoft recommends a range of between 8 inches and 6 feet for optimum performance but I worked at up to 9 feet away without any problems.

The mouse, decorated in matt silver and dark grey, is of the two-button, wheeled variety that uses optical technology for greater accuracy. The mouse fits snugly into the palm of the hand and is suitable for right and left handed users. All three control elements can be reassigned to a specific task that fits in with the needs of the user. Microsoft has added sideways scrolling to the wheel’s functionality for easier viewing of content that is too large for a single screen.

The keyboard, using the same colour scheme as the mouse, features several extra keys and a media control centre positioned along the top of the unit plus enhanced F keys. The additional keys give one-touch access to a variety of Internet, system and Windows-based tasks. The media centre arrangement of keys allows the user to play/pause, stop, mute, adjust volume levels and skip tracks when playing CDs. Frequently used actions, such as undo, new, send, spell, save and print, can now be accessed from the function keys. The original function keys commands are still available by pressing a special key designated as F-Lock.

As with the mouse, you can re-programme keys to other actions if you wish by using a supplied utility. Unfortunately one aspect that Microsoft does not wish you to alter is the default setting whereby the enhanced function key controls are implemented. I can understand Microsoft wanting to promote this feature but surely it would have been more user-friendly to offer the option of using either the original or new commands as a personal default. Luckily there is a solution for those who want immediate access to the original commands.  You will need to download a couple of files from www.mvps.org/jtsang/flock.html. These files are both very small, less than 5Kb for the pair, and one or either of the files should set the default function key setting to the original commands.

When using a wireless desktop system you do need to take into consideration the cost of batteries. Microsoft feels confident enough to state that many users should average more than 6 months of life from a set of batteries. As yet I have been unable to test this particular claim.

Although you should be able to pick up a keyboard and mouse for less than the £79.99 being asked for this desktop set, you do get excellent quality and enhanced functionality with the Microsoft offering. If you want the freedom wireless technology brings then you should consider this product.

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=015