Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set

by Logitech

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 19.9 x 10.4 x 3.4 inches ; 4.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000TKHGL2
• Item model number: 920-000264
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (293 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #89 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Keyboards, Mice & Input Devices > Keyboard & Mouse Combos
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 26, 2007

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Logitech is touting an advancement in comfort and usability design with its ergonomic, cross-platform Cordless Wave keyboard. There might be some marketing hyperbole to this claim, but after a week of typing with the Wave, I'm not sure that I could live without it. (This Cordless Desktop Wave also includes the ambidextrous LX8 scroller laser mouse.)

Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Wave includes an elevated palm rest, though not as extreme as the platforms of old. It's also covered in a lightly padded vinyl upholstery that feels soft yet firm under the wrist, as well as a Goldilocks amount of tackiness (i.e., not too slippery, not sticky, just right). The keys are also positioned in a gentle U-shaped arc that nearly escapes the eye, but is apparent once you set your wrists down and start typing.

Contoured, wave-shaped key design conforms naturally to your fingers.

But the biggest design innovation that the Wave introduces comes from its name--the keys undulate across the board in a wave-shaped contour that mimics the changing lengths in your own digits. The keys are at their highest on the outside at the A and Enter keys (which, if you're a touch typist, is where your little fingers are positioned), and the keys trough to their lowest point at D and K (where the longer middle finger resides) before rising slightly at the G and H keys. The keys have a maximum distance variation of 4mm, and the spacebar mimics the wave contour of the keyboard design.

As someone who writes for a living, my computer keyboard is one of the most important tools I have and one that I'm connected to for hours every day. I've gone through many models over the years to get just the right one, and I currently use the Matias Tactile Pro on my Mac as it provides some of the best keystroke feedback I've found (which is the polar opposite to the frustratingly squishy keyboards that came with my HP and Apple PCs).

While the rolling contour of the keyboard layout was barely perceptible, my fingertips took to the Wave easily. It felt like each key was indeed designed specifically to fit the finger that was mapped to tap it. And the keys combine a springy action with a final tap that's not too loud, but both tactile and audible enough for instant feedback. As my week of testing progressed and my fingers grew more accustomed to the Wave, I actually felt as if my typing was both more accurate than on the Tactile Pro as well as a touch faster.

From an ergonomic standpoint, the Wave's gradual curve isn't immediately noticeable, but after a few days I found my elbows weren't hunched next to my body as they were with the straight keyboard, freeing both wrists and shoulders from strain. That said, if you require more substantial ergonomics for your typing (such as the curve and height of the Microsoft Natural), you might be disappointed by the relative flatness of the Wave.

The Delete key has been elongated and the Insert/Help key moved above..

The Wave has a fairly standard extended keyboard design, with one change that I cheered but could easily be jeered by others. The Home/Delete/End/Page Up & Down keys is switched to a vertical orientation, and the bane of my typing life--the Insert key (also the Help key on the Mac), which I often hit mistakenly when hunting for the Delete key--has been moved up (moving into the Scroll Lock key position) and replaced by an elongated Delete key. Another handy feature is onscreen notification of when you hit the Caps Lock key (another one of my touch typing transgressions).

The keyboard is supplemented by a plethora of system-specific feature buttons--including Flip 3D, Gadgets and Media Center in Windows Vista (aka, Expose, Dashboard, and Front Row on the Mac)--as well as quick access to your selected audio program and full playback controls (including volume). All functions can be customized using the included Logitech Setpoint utility (or Control Center within the Mac's System Preferences).

The Desktop Wave package is completed with the inclusion of the symmetrically designed LX8 laser scroller mouse, which can be used by either righties or lefties. The comfortably curved sides are supplemented by a rubbery finish that's easily gripped. It's more compact than the Microsoft Intellimouse we've been using, though just a bit heftier. That said, it glided easily over our desk's surface and was very precise once we configured the tracking speed. Both mouse and keyboard connect to your PC via a wireless USB dongle that looks like a flash thumbdrive. Its small size makes it easy to pack along with the mouse for work while on the go, and it also comes with a dock for desktop use. Both mouse and keyboard are powered by two AA batteries.

When I began reviewing the Cordless Wave, I wasn't looking for a new keyboard. But thanks to its excellent typing action, unique comfort features--from the contoured design of the keys to the padded wrist rest--and the plethora of customizable functions right at the tip of the finger, it's time to part ways with my old keyboard. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Pros:

• Innovative contoured design of the keys conform naturally to your finger lengths, excellent typing action
• Padded vinyl wrist rest adds soft comfort and allows easy movement
• Loads of function and multimedia buttons, all customizable using included software
• Cross-platform, including compatibility with special features in Windows Vista
• Laser mouse is symmetrically designed, for use by both righties and lefties

Cons:

• Shifting of some keys might annoy some, but delight others
• Might seem flat to those who need more substantial ergnomics

Product Description

Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Get things done with the comfort and ease that the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave provides! Uniform-size keys hug your fingers while the curved keyboard is ergonomically designed for the correct hand position. The high-performance laser mouse has been built to meet comfort standards as well. Its contoured sides and soft rubber grips allow for precision and control like never before! Specifications Device Type: Wireless Mouse Connection Type: USB Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous Tracking Method: Laser Keyboard Type: Wireless Connection Type: USB

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

295 of 309 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without A Doubt, The Best Keyboard I Have Ever Used, October 2, 2007

By 

Robert L. Stinnett (Boonville, MO) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

Length:: 8:59 Mins

I can say with all fairness, this is the best keyboard and mouse combination set I have ever used. The unique wave design of the keyboard helps to keep your hands and arms positioned correctly, while the mouse has just enough weight to give it a substantial, firm feel.

If you are like me, the old ergonomic keyboards of the past just didn't work for you -- they were too awkward to get used to and weren't all that comfortable. With the Logitech Wave, they've addressed those concerns in making a keyboard that is easy to use and comfortable for long periods of typing.

In this video review I walk you through the product set and talk about some of the features I like about the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave set as well as some of the things you should watch out for when purchasing any wireless desktop combination.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For Mac users, have no fear, February 24, 2008

By 

Matthew Loiacono "mac book matt" (Plattsburgh, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set (Personal Computers)

I was looking for a keyboard for my Mac Book Pro and after hours of comparison online and in stores I ordered the Wave. I had the keyboard in two days with free shipping and a twenty dollar rebate( can't beat that). I was worried about the keyboards functionality with my apple but am completely satisfied. I hooked it up, went to the logitech web site, downloaded the mac interface and poof, I have a wireless keyboard and mouse that does everything my laptop keyboard does and more. All the quick keys work with itunes, safari, onstage, etc.. While it is not a split ergonomic keyboard it does offer a great deal of relief to my hands while typing with it's "wave" shape. The key response is great and not noisy. Plus, I have had no problems with distance distortion. So why did I rate it only four?, well... if you have read any of the other reviews you will notice a common theme: great keyboard, poor mouse. I will say it is much better than my much smaller portable mouse, but the scroll button does not respond well and it just seems much poorer quality than the keyboard. All that said, if you want a wireless keyboard/ mouse combo that works great with Mac and Microsoft (I have dual operating systems running, works great on both) and don't want to spend a fortune than this is a great deal on a good/great product.
Matt

59 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars great products, but make sure you have room, January 9, 2008

By 

mlle. x (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set (Personal Computers)

(What's this?)

I thought the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set would be the perfect supplement to my at-home laptop setup. Carpal tunnel syndrome is not a joke (I ordered the keyboard right after meeting a graduate student who had severe carpal tunnel, and had been forbidden by her doctor to type at all for more than a year - a horror story if I've ever heard one), and this keyboard's ergonomic design seemed like it would keep my hands and wrists safe and healthy.

What I didn't count on was the sheer size of it - I bought this keyboard for at-home use, I live in an apartment in New York City, and my desk is fairly modest in size. Once I put the keyboard on my desk, I had no room for anything else. My tiny little laptop hardly fit next to it; my arms were hanging off the edge of the desk, and and I had nowhere to put a piece of paper or notebook anymore. I tried re-arranging and clearing and all of that, but in the end I couldn't deny that the keyboard was simply too big for the space I was working with, and I had to abandon it.

In short: measure your desk before you buy this keyboard; make sure you have a very spacious working area.

On the other hand, I'm a big fan of the mouse that came with the keyboard. It has a nice weight to it, and feels solid and heavy in my hand. The controls are sensitive, and over the past few months it has worked flawlessly. The only note I have here is that the mouse has forward and back buttons on its right and left sides, and very often when I grab the mouse to move the cursor I accidentally move my internet browser page forward or back. I'm still training myself not to do this; because the controls are so sensitive, it takes some doing.