Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth

by Microsoft

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 18 x 9 x 3 inches ; 5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0002IG356
• Item model number: M54-00013
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #94 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Computer Accessories > Keyboards, Mice & Input Devices > Keyboard & Mouse Combos
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 2, 2004

Product Description

Microsofts products for Bluetooth deliver exciting new ways to help employees stay connected, enabling them to synchronize and share information between their PC and cell phones and Pocket PCs with Bluetooth wireless technology. The included Bluetooth compatible mouse and keyboard also deliver enhanced range, reliability and security compared with other wireless technologies. Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth includes a mouse, keyboard and USB transceiver. IntelliMouse Explorer for Bluetooth is available as part of the Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth, or can be purchased separately with the USB Transceiver for Bluetooth.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This rocks, September 27, 2004

By 

R. Coffin (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth (Personal Computers)

I purchased this to use with my HP Pavilion zt3000 laptop. I've always preferred Microsoft mice. I like this mouse, and the keyboard is great, too. They have a nice feel. I am running them off my built-in Bluetooth transceiver and not the supplied USB dongle. Installation was simple.

Here are a few things to note. The box says these are supported only on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (and newer), which was just released. Also, the mouse is a right-hand mouse.

Adding after using this for six months: The batteries last quite a while. Get some rechargeable NiMH batteries. Also, on my system I make sure the computer is finished booting before using the mouse or keyboard. It doesn't seem to like to try to go through all the boot process and start communicating with the Bluetooth input devices. I still give it a very solid 5 stars!

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Note your model number!, May 3, 2005

By 

J. Schulte (Madison, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth (Personal Computers)

Its funny that reviews are by nature open to mistakes. The review that the Aussie left certainly shows the way this works. Microsoft sold the M54-00001 bluetooth desktop set for quite a while, and there was quite a stir about problems, such as you read here. All those were called back from the stores and replaced with the updated (and now current) M54-00013 version which is soooo much better! The new one has been out only a few months, and the Aussie had his for 1.5 years! The bluetooth adapter is better, the timing is better, etc. The M54-00001's and other of their early kin are still available on pricewatch. They are much cheaper. STAY AWAY FRIM THAT MODEL!!! Instead, go for the updated M54-00013 instead. You'll be glad you did, because it has the feel of a professional keyboard with lots of bells and whistles. For more info, check Microsoft's web page (and read the fine print). Its too bad the name didn't change. My bet is that they were afraid of returns and exchanges.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for, November 13, 2004

By 

Tesla Aldrich (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth (Personal Computers)

I am delighted with the MS Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

Here are the factors that are important to me which they got absolutely right:

1. I had no trouble connecting with my Dell internal bluetooth module. (I am not using the MS dongle.) In order to accomplish the Dell hookup, all one needs to do is NOT plug the dongle in at the recommended point, and then instead of connecting using the dialog box that opens, open your Bluetooth Setup Wizard and "find a specific device."
2. The range is great. I am much too far away to see my monitor by the time I finally lose response.
3. The keyboard action is just as I like it - moderately high and "clicky." It's not as dramatic as the old Dells, but it's nothing like typing on a puddle of mush. In addition, the shape of the keyboard is comfortable for me.
4. The mouse is comfortable. I don't find myself pressing the additional buttons accidentally, nor are those buttons obtrusive. The scroll wheel doesn't click but scrolls smoothly. I was afraid that I would accidentally activate the side-to-side scrolling all the time, but I don't. Some web-based applications don't allow the side-to-side via scroll-wheel, but so far all the static pages I have tried work okay with it.

The one item that has gotten my attention in negative way is this (and it's pretty niggly): I love the new alternate functions of the "F" keys, but good old "F5" should have been allowed to retain its "Refresh" functionality. I hate having to hit "F-Lock" "F5" "F-Lock" every time I want to refresh a page without the mouse.