Customer Reviews

Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

The setup of the keyboard and mouse were quick and easy, but once it's installed, it's just not easy to use due to poor design. Whomever designed it should go back to school.

Poor design examples:

1) The plastic used for the qwerty keyboard is shiny and transparent making it all but impossible to see the letters/numbers printed on the keys if there is any overhead lighting. By contrast, the user-programable keys are extremely easy to read. It is the keys you use most that should be the easiest to read. This is in my opinion it's biggest flaw.

2) Key layout is unintuitive. Function keys are usually broken up by F1-F4, F5-F8, F9-F12, etc. Not on this keyboard. They are broken up by F1-F3, F4-f6, F7-F9, F10-F12, etc... If you are used to visually using the ALT-F4 combo to close apps then you will constantly be hitting the wrong key.

The directional arrows are also tucked slightly underneath the qwerty area and not directly underneath what is typically the delete/end/page down keys (which have also been moved). This will make it difficult if you are using the directional keys for FPS-type games.

The left CTRL key is about half the size it should be. It is one of the most used keys to access application shortcuts and it's been designed too small.

Other keys have also been moved around for no apparent reason. Why mess around with what's an otherwise industry-standard key layout?

3) The soft wrist rest is not removeable. If you are short on desk space or find that you normally have paper in front of your keyboard you are out of luck.

4) The mouse works well but it is ergonomically unusual-shaped. It forces you to hold it a certain way whereas normal mice allow you to hold it any way you are comfortable.

I hate to give a keyboard/mouse package that works well such a low rating, but it's a shame when you can be more productive/work faster on the keyboard and mouse that came as free pack-ins with your new computer. I suggest looking elsewhere for a wireless keyboard/mouse package.

I have been using microsoft's line of mice for some time now. Overall, I am pleased.

Although I love my set, I cannot give it a perfect score for a couple of reasons.

1.) The response time on the mouse\keyboard is slow. If you leave the set idle, and press a key...you will not see anything on your screen for atleast 3 seconds. You can sometimes type in a couple of words (depending on how fast you type ;)) on the screen before it is displayed. This can be really annoying.

2.) As you probably read on several other reviews, you need to find work arounds to intergrate your set with other bluetooth devices....such as the one built in your laptop.

So whats so beautiful about this thing priced at over 1bill?

1.) Once you get passed the work arounds, it solves your dozens of cable problems. I dont need an external keyboard or mouse on my laptop anymore. I can literary sit several feet away from my tv and control my media center with it.

2.) Mouse grips perfectly inside your hand. Keyboard is so comfortable. Tbere is an extra cushioning attached to support your wrists. Previos keyboards had a hard piece of plastic there.

3.) Intergrates nicely with windows, assuming you install the software with it.

ehh...it looks like a hundred dollar keyboard?

If you find a good bargain on amazon, try it. May not be worth the suggested $150 BestBuy charges though.

I bought this package purely for the keyboard. I wanted a new one with wireless technology and I was driven to Bluetooth just because it is so reliable. I do not use the keyboard and mouse together, however.

The keyboard is one of the most comfortable keyboards I've ever used. I am a computer programmer so having a nice keyboard is essential. The pad at the bottom is very comfortable and the keys are very well spaced and organized. The only real compliant is they cut some corners with the home, end, page up, page down, and delete keys. They moved them around from the conventional way which I still haven't gotten used to but it's fine.

I have experience no lag with either the mouse or the keyboard. I play a game called StepMania (a sort of Dance Dance Revolution clone for PC) which requires very accurate timing with the keyboard. I've experienced no problems here, it's spot on and probably the fastest ever. The only problem, really, is it takes a while to register if you haven't use the keyboard for a while since it must turn back on from sleep mode and reconnect. After that however, there are no problems at all.

I do not use the mouse with the keyboard. I decided to use it as a mouse with my iBook since it had built-in bluetooth. I had absolutely no problems connecting the two devices and it works flawlessly. I don't use the mouse very much, but the times I do use it I experience no problems.

Both the range on the mouse and the keyboard are extremely nice. I can go anywhere in my room with either the mouse or keyboard and experience no problems.

The battery life on the keyboard is also very nice, esspecially since it has the built-in sleep feature. I have had to replace the batteries once since I got the unit in January of 06 (currently June of 06). I have not had to replace the mouse batteries yet, but I do not use it very much.

Others complained about not being able to use the keyboard in the BIOS or startup screens, but I haven't had any issues with that. It depends on how recent your motherboard is, and mine is relatively new so I had no problems.

I highly recommend this setup to anyone wanting a wireless keyboard or mouse, or if you want to split and use the mouse with a laptop and keyboard with a desktop. Either way, you cannot go wrong with this package, it is extremely excellent.

I purchased this set to replace an older, corded keyboard and mouse. I chose this model because I wanted a USB-only connection and I liked how small the Bluetooth USB transceiver looked. I must say that I am extremely impressed by this set! Not only does it work flawlessly, but both the keyboard and mouse are extremely comfortable! I also love the re-designed scroll wheel. It has a smooth, yet firm scroll action. Plus, the added side scrolling makes it even better!

On the down side, I had a little trouble at first in setting it up. But to be fair, my configuration is not the norm. I have 3 desktops and 1 laptop connected to a switchbox that includes USB switching. So, as I switch from machine to machine, the Bluetooth dongle switches with it. The problem I ran into was when setting up the keyboard because the directions say that you have to use a passkey for the keyboard. While this may be desirable for security purposes, I will tell you that it is no requirement. As soon as I switched the connection to use no passkey, the switching between machines worked great! There is only a slight delay of about 5 seconds each time I switch while the new machine recognizes the USB Bluetooth module.

Really, I couldn't be happier with this set. The response is incredible and it is well-constructed!

I use my computer as a Media Hub for streaming music and video to my home entertainment system; located in the other room. This cordless combo gives me excellent range and complete control of my PC from about 20 feet away. I've been using it for about a month now with no issues and the battery level still shows good with no signs of dropping. The shortcut keys, especially the media control buttons, are a real plus.

Another great bonus is the USB Bluetooth Adapter allows me to sync my phone with Outlook. I just had to download the Sony Ericsson software and I was all set.

The keyboard and mouse work well when functional, but there are a few fundamental flaws in the design:

1) The connect/disconnect button on the keyboard is in a very prominent spot and is easily hit, once you hit it the Bluetooth connection has to be reconfigured which can be a hassle.
2) The computer does not always recognize the mouse when it first boots, this can be very annoying because you have to go get another mouse to reconfigure.
3) After about a week of use the scroll wheel on my keyboard was pushed in, I recently went to an electronics store and saw the same thing on this model so I assume this is common

These are all minor problems and I would recommend this product because the rage and ease of use can not be beat, just beware of what you are getting into before expecting perfection. After all I expected perfection should be what you get for the price I paid.

Great Keyboard. Its a little large. It works flawlessly for a media center setup. It has great range ( I use it at a distance of 20 Ft. from my High Definition TV). The only problem is that if the partnership breaks between the blue tooth adaptor and the keyboard or mouse you need to connect a standard ps2 mouse and keyboard to set it up again.