Customer Reviews

Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader (BZ5-00002)

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I wanted a new mouse and keyboard, and when I saw this package I was intrigued by the fingerprint reader. And skeptical too. Like the title of my review says though, it's amazing. The fingerprint reader was so easy to set up and works like a dream. If you're like most internet users, with an ever-growing list of logins and passwords, then I promise you'll love this feature. The keyboard itself is very comfortable and has lots of cool features, like easily programmable 'favorites' buttons for launching commonly used programs, and other buttons that I wasn't expecting that were a great bounus: like My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, Mail, Web/Home, Messenger, Calculator, and more. Also buttons for controlling speaker volume and media playback. The wireless optical mouse that's included is great -- also easy to set up, fast and smooth cursor control, good scroll wheel with tilt feature for horizontal scrolling. I have average to smaller hands and the mouse fits me perfectly. If you have large hands you may find it a little small.

Overall, I highly recommend this optical desktop package.

I saw a prior review which said they couldn't install it and gave it only one star. I have enjoyed using this product since I got it a few weeks ago so I thought I'd add my two cents. I have a bunch of passwords and different username - maybe 15 or so. Basically with this keyboard, whenever you hit a logon you just press your finger flat on the red sensor - then, the first time it asks for your username/password, but after that it types them in for you for that website. Nothing earthshattering, but it does make life simpiler, and it wasn't any more expensive than any other keyboard/mouse setup. It installed quick and so far has worked everytime. I do have a few minor issues - first, there doesn't seem to be any way to backup the data. Second, I bought one for my computer at work but the fingerprint reader can't be used to log on to a domain (or unlock the screensaver when connected to a domain). This is unfortunate since I wanted to use it on my work PC too. Nonetheless I will give the product five stars - it isn't too often that Microsoft is an innovator - a few refinements are needed, but I think they are on to something. It is a cool product, and the fingerprint technology seems fast and accurate.

Seems most of the complaints have been by techies because the fingerprint reader doesn't work with non Microsoft internet browsers but for me with MS Internet Explorer it has worked perfectly. I have a ton of sites I go to from online banking to email to instant messaging (probably over 10 in all) and the reader works like a charm! The only comments I have (which aren't necessarily disadvantages) are the following:

-The fingerprint reader takes about 2-3 seconds to read your fingerprint. It doesn't really need to be cleaned that often either like one reviewer stated but maybe it does if you have dirty fingers lol

-the keys on the keyboard seem a little closer together but I have noticed this on all the Microsoft keyboards I have tried. Maybe its just a matter of getting use to the difference.

-The keyboard is wired and the mouse is wireless. Each uses its own USB port, 2 in all.

-Lastly the fingerprint reader stays lit all the time so if you leave your computer on at night like I do you will definitely notice the red glow.

All I gotta say is try it out, you just might like it!

The keyboard is great. Good feel, tons of customizable buttons, and the finger print reader is amazing. It works so well, never falses, and so far I have not been able to trick it.

It does get smudged easily, but even though it looks foggy it still tends to read the print through all that. It does require a quick wipe down (they say to use tape to lift the print marks off) every now and then.

The mouse is okay...wireless is cool, but it lacks the thumb buttons I was used to (for forward and back in IE). It has a tilt wheel but unless you are an Excel guru you probably won't use it much. The mouse does feel good and fits in the hand really well...if it just had those thumb buttons it would be great.

Setup is easy but requires software from two CD's where they should have made it one setup program. Training the fingerprint thing only takes seconds. Not sure how I lived without the finger print reader.

Yea..and why does MS make you agree to their disclaimer about the reader not being secure and all that...although I am sure this thing is not the worlds most secure finger print reader it surely is more secure than keeping a list of passwords on your PC or on paper next to your PC. I'd say as long as you aren't heading up shuttle missions it is more than enough security.

I find the fingerprint reader reliable and very, very handy. In addition, the standard layout keyboard has a nice typing feel...not too mushy nor clicky. I like the wireless mouse for its simplicity (no side buttons) and it fits my hand well.

I would only remove a star because the special intellikeys (assignable keys) are not that well designed: They need to be pressed too hard and the top of the keyboard gives (bends) a little). The volume control keys are particularly bad.

Pros:
1) software for fingerprint works flawlessly and VERY robust
2) the keyboard is a STANDARD layout unlike many previous ms keyboards
Cons:
1) the fingerprint pad needs to cleaned (towel + water) REGULARLY or it wont sense your fingerprint anymore
2) very poor design in that it takes TWO valuable USB ports when they could have designed it to use one and have the wireless receiver integrated into the keyboard.
3) the mouse (Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0) tapers out at the bottom which pushes the pinky finger outwards which makes for a very unergonomical hold on the mouse (at least for me) My old Logitech Click! felt so much better being it tapered in at the bottom.

I was disappointed after trying to use the fingerprint reader with my Mozilla browser, apparently it only works under Internet Explorer. Not a good decision by Microsoft since most of the techno savvy people who purchase this product are not going to want to be forced into using Explorer.
I gave this product 4 stars, because it works wonderfully under the intended environment. Perhaps they will release an update that will allow the fingerprint reader to work under different browsers.

The fingerprint reader on this thing is worth every penny. I was sceptical on how accurate this would be but it has lived up to all it can be!!
FYI: Only the mouse is wireless, not the keyboard

I couldnt be happier with this keyboard mouse combo. The keyboard is loaded with features including quick access buttons for everything you could ever need, helpful labels, volume control, media play/pause/stop/next/previous and the best yet, fingerprint identification! I was little skeptical about this particular feature, but it works flawlessly. If you configure it to every finger on one hand and then try to log in with your other hand, it doesnt allow it. Only the exact finger prints it has registered are allowed to access it. I made sure it worked by having a bunch of different people try it with no luck. Also I can use it for every login imaginable! Loging into windows is crazy easy, you just put your finger on the little circle and your in. Its fantastic. This keyboard is sleek and stylish with a black/silver contrast and the mouse matches just as nicely. The keys are soft and fairly silent. They arent hard and clacky like most keyboards and have a smooth soft feel about them. The mouse is supposed to have a long battery life, and well, I havent had to change them yet. No problems with the mouse whatsoever. I remember with my brothers optical mouse the cursor would sometimes lag across the screen or skip around or seem to "catch" on certain parts of the screen for a few seconds. I am happy to report I have encountered none of that. This mouse runs smoothly and has a neat scroller that scrolls side to side as well as up and down. I have used this mouse and keyboard combination for gaming with absolutley no problems. I have to say that this is a fantastic product that is perfect for everything, including gaming. I highly recomend this product.

JUST SO EVERY1 KNOWS THIS IS NOT A WIRELESS SET AS DESCRIPTION SAYS !!!
just the mouse is wireless not the keyboard im not big on giving reviews but figured evey1 should know this