Customer Reviews

Kensington Ci70 Wireless Desktop Set Titanium with Keyboard and Mouse K64391US

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I really like the keys on this keyboard. I have never paid a great deal of money for a keyboard before ($63) but this is definitely superior to my cheap keyboard. There is no problem recognizing keystrokes from this cordless keyboard but the mouse needs to be on the same surface as the keyboard to work and is not recognized immediately when the pc is turned on.

I love the concept, the features, the size, the wireless-but-not-bluetooth, etc.

However, as a special note to Mac users, Kensington got a little ahead of themselves. Although Kensington claim Mac support, they have yet to release a new version of Kensington Keyboard and Mouseworks that supports this set. In the meantime, it'll work moderately well as a basic keyboard and mouse.

Within six weeks the 'r' stopped working on the keyboard and then I just used the mouse with a wired keyboard and the mouse gave out a week later. The mouse going to sleep is extremely annoying.

Bought this a months ago for my desktop PC, and here are a few opinions so far. I like that this set is slim, light, and wireless, so it can be easily tucked away. It is a bonus that it is also quite an attractive design. The wireless keyboard and mouse worked right off the bat, even during an initial installation of XP (because obviously you need a keyboard for Windows setup). Even so, on startup XP looked for additional drivers (for "HID compliant keyboard" and mouse) but could not find them, nor does Kensington provide drivers for this. I installed some generic Kensington drivers I found online (probably for a different product) just to get rid of the "New hardware found" dialog on startup, however they both work fine without additional drivers.

The keyboard is almost exactly the kind you would find on a decent-sized laptop computer, so if you like typing on laptops you'll have no problem. My major complaint is that instead of a Ctrl key in the bottom left corner, there is a non-functional (on a PC) Apple/command key. You have to re-train yourself to find the control key when typing, which is annoying if like me you have been typing on standard PC keyboards for many years. I have no complaints about the altered position of some of the other keys as laptop's also rearrange these somewhat--but the moving of the Ctrl key is a killer.

The mouse has one major annoying quirk. If you have a windows screensaver or sleep mode, you have to click the mouse to wake the computer up--you can't just move it around like you would a normal mouse. The mouse itself also sleeps if you don't use it for 10 minutes or so--and again, you have to click it to wake it up. That takes some getting used to, and is an extra thing to have to think about when you're stumbling out of bed to use your computer at 4 in the morning.

The final problem is that the mouse was initially very flakey in response (it would jump around, not register clicks, drag click with a single click, etc) until I moved the USB receiver to a hub on my desk (basically in line-of-sight with the mouse)--now it works fine like a mouse should, no problems at all since. Keep that in mind--you probably can't plug the receiver into the back of your computer and expect the mouse to work well. These quirks aren't necessarily deal-breakers, but they're enough to make you want to consider carefully whether you can live with them. I bought this set (with rebate) for $45, and I think it was a good deal, and have since gotten used to the quirks I mentioned.

This keyboard and mouse both look so stylish. I really wanted to like them, but they are horrible.

The mouse:

It sometimes doesn't respond to movements and clicks, they are just lost in the ether. Clicking seems to take a lot pressure which is highly annoying. It also goes to sleep after only a few minutes and will only wake up to clicks not movement.

The keyboard:

The keyboard also sometimes seems to "lag". Keystrokes seem to be lost but then show up a second later ( after you pressed it 3 times ).

Also, this keyboard is just not designed for easy use of any "special" keys. For basic typing and the occasional backspace or arrow key ( which you would have to look down for ) it would probably be fine.

Do not under any circumstances try to do programming on this keyboard. They rearranged and shrunk everything that you need for programming. It has a useless apple key I keep pressing instead of ctrl and I have to look down to press ANYTHING other than letters.

Summary:

But if you are much more comfortable on a laptop keyboard and do basic typing but don't use many of the "special" keys, then this keyboard might work, it is quite stylish at least.

Rant:

Who exactly is this product intended for?

It seems like it has conflicting features that don't make any sense together in the same product.

Is it for laptop users that want a separate mouse/keyboard?

Why would you want an external keyboard that is small and squished together just like your laptop keyboard? Doesn't that defeat the whole point of having a separate keyboard? Likewise, if you go to the trouble of using a separate mouse with your laptop you probably want one that doesn't suck.

Is it for Mac's or Windows?

Why not just put all the keys on it and that way everyone who uses it will have several useless keys to accidently press.

Actually I reread the product description and it sums it up nicely, its for people that want a separate keyboard and mouse for their laptop when traveling but don't have enough travel space for one that doesn't suck.

Works well on a WinTel PC, if you keep it on the same desktop as the PC. Keep away from any other cordless/wireless/radios or both will be adversely effected.

The update software didn't make it fully functional for the Mac, but at least it sees it now.

Be sure to keep a LARGE supply of batteries. They go faster than free food at a family reunion.

In the very beginning, I really would say this product is awesome. For a basic wireless keyboard, I don't need so many extra function keys on my keyboard, since I will never get used to use them. All I need is to have a keyboard with good feelings of typing. The design is good. Keys are so quiet and comfortable. It makes you want to type in front of your computer all the time. Why bother with the mouse which comes together with this set? I got many mice at home, so just threw the combining mouse away. The last thing I would mention was that the USB receiver was located under the mouse (in side of the mouse)...... I have no idea why they put it so undercovered. Anyway, the mouse is ugly. Once you found the receiver, the installation will be so easy. Put the receiver into USB port, then your keyboard is ready to use.

This item looks great and works great but only under one condition:

YOU MUST BE WITHIN 2 FEET OF THE WIRELESS RECEIVER (LITERALLY) FOR THE MOUSE TO WORK!!!

I returned this because this totally defeated the purpose of a WIRELESS keyboard, if i had to be 2 feet away from the damn computer. I bought this to hookup my laptop to my tv and sit about 10 feet away- very bad product for that purpose.

A few things that surprised me are, one, the keyboard is set up like a laptop one, very short and compact, so the configuration is a little different. I do like the look, but it'll take a little time to find all the keys. The mouse is very sesitive to the touch so you don't have to have a lot of space to use it. It's also taking a little time to get used to because it passes over the spot I want if I move it too fast. The mouse can either sit on the desk, and will turn off automatically, then turn back on with the touch of a button, or it can dock on the keyboard, to turn off, and be removed to turn back on. I also enjoy this feature because my kids are less likely to run off with it when it's attatched to something. It's worth every penny with the space that is given to remove the wires.

After a couple of false steps I finally found the keyboard that I was looking for. I use multiple PCs and Macs at my desk, and was looking for a light, wireless keyboard that I might use for the occasional need I have to administer my Mac server. I reluctantly ordered this non-Apple keyboard and mouse combination because its price was attractive and other reviews sounded OK. I was not sure what to expect regarding its construction, and hoped that it was not too flimsy. Thanks to Amazon, my order arrived in two days, and I was not disappointed. The keyboard is very light, making it easy to put off to the side when not needed. (And the option to stand it on its edge, was an extra plus. Though I think the spot to place a photo is a bit hokey, it actually works out nicely.) But the biggest reason to buy this keyboard is its feel. WOW! I am very tempted to make this my primary keyboard. Actually, I'm considering the purchase of second one, just for the keyboard. Typing on this keyboard is so good you won't believe it until you feel it for yourself.

I'm not in love with the mouse, but it works well enough. But a feature that I do like about the mouse is that it turns itself off whenever you dock it back to the keyboard. Since I rarely have to manage my server, I like that I will be saving battery life in between uses. Given the price for a combined keyboard and mouse, the mouse in in line with what I expected. The keyboard is a complete, and pleasant surprise. The combination is definitely worth the price.