Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop - ( K48-00001 )

by Microsoft

Product Details

Product Manual [283kb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006D2L3
• Item model number: K48-00001
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 19, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Add wireless freedom, stylish looks, and one-touch features to your desktop with the Wireless Optical Desktop Pro keyboard and mouse combination. This desktop package features customizable keys, optical mouse technology, and a comfortable, ergonomic design. The Wireless MultiMedia keyboard's split, gently sloped shape encourages a natural hand, wrist, and forearm position for maximum comfort. Also, your digital media activities are within easy reach--start, play, and navigate music and video clips with the touch of a button. Customizable hot keys let you quickly start Messenger, Mail, Internet, and Calculator programs. And get one-touch access to files stored in the My Documents, My Pictures, and My Music folders in Windows. Perform common tasks right from your keyboard--press a button to open, close, and save documents, send and forward e-mails, put the computer to sleep, log off, and more. Press the F LOCK key to toggle between standard and enhanced function key commands.

The mouse's wider, clear scroll wheel allows you to comfortably move through documents and Web pages quickly without clicking the scroll bar. Accelerated scrolling reacts to how quickly you roll the wheel, saving you time and effort. And the optical sensor replaces your mouse ball, for accuracy and precision--no mouse pad needed. It's ambidextrous, too--whether you control it with your right or left hand, the wireless optical mouse is shaped for comfort.

Both the keyboard and mouse work within six feet of the included receiver, even if your computer is out of sight. The pair comes with a three-year warranty.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Keyboard but Mouse is Missing 2 buttons, November 12, 2002

By 

D. Pritchard (Fort Worth, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop - ( K48-00001 ) (Personal Computers)

I've just purchased this keyboard/mouse combo to replace my existing MS Natural Keyboard (original with full-size function keys) and MS Intellimouse Optical. As I type, I see that this keyboard has a softer "touch", not meaning that the keys are too easily depressed but rather that their sound and feel is softer and quieter. That's a plus overall yet something I'll still have to adjust to somewhat, in terms of "feedback" while typing. Although I don't use the insert key often, I think I prefer the old layout with Delete above Insert rather than the new layout with a double-tall Delete button while insert is moved off to the PrtScrn/SysRq key.

The extended function keys are nice but I'd prefer that standard functions keys be the default while the F-LOCK key could activate the extended assignments. No doubt this is purely a personal preference though.

Overall, I'm pleased with the build quality of both the mouse and keyboard but I miss one thing...the 4-button functionality of the Intellimouse Optical. The Wireless Optical Mouse is a standard 2-button plus wheel mouse. I've come to so often use the 3rd/4th buttons of the Intellimouse Optical for browser forward/back operations, that I'll miss that feature a lot. At the moment I'm debating returning this item for that very reason....4 keys on a mouse are just that much more efficient to use, especially once one has begun to use them often. If Microsoft would package the Intellimouse Wireless Explorer mouse with this Wireless Optical Keyboard Pro, they'd have a real winner. That's the only reason I don't give this combo 5 stars. At 4 stars it's still a winner but one that just doesn't quite cross the finish line with quite the flair it could have.

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not perfect, but great, November 4, 2002

By 

Techni (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop - ( K48-00001 ) (Personal Computers)

I love it, the 6 feet limit thing, thats garbage, it works like 30 feet away, and through multiple walls. The normal complaint of wireless devices being too slow, doesnt apply, this one is good for gaming.

At first the keyboard didnt register some of my keypresses, but when i moved the receiver away from my monitor it started to work. The mouse at random times (frequently) jumps to random places on the screen.

The color scheme and shape, way cool. And the mouse doesnt have sharp edges like the Intellimouse optical. (Which i still love, no flaws other than the sharp edges ont he two side buttons)

The mouse doesnt turn off with the computer, but thats understandable since it would need a receiver, and the receiver would need a transmitter, which is more expensive. Same for the lack of indicator lights on the keyboard. Battery life is unknown, I recommend taking the batteries out of the mouse at least when not in use. BATTERIES INCLUDED!!!!

The arrow keys are nice, unlike their natural keyboards where its all crunched up. And the general layout is a nice standard one so its easily memorizable. Cept for the Home/End/ inser/delete pgup/pgdown, its odd now. Scroll lock is gone, but never used anyway. Missing the right side start button but i never used it anyway. The function lock, i dislike, i like my normal keys and it doesnt even seem to work. But I may be wrong.

The options are right in the control panel and easy to use.
I got a big cut on my finger opening the box so watch out.
They should put a mouse and keyboard ps2/usb port on the receiver for when the batteries run out you c an plug the old ones back in. And all cordless devices need recharger docking bays!!!!

I think I've covered everything, oh, i wrote this review with the keyboard in question. I love my new board, and i'll beat someone to death with my old one if they try to take my wireless baby away from me.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A couple of small improvements are still needed., November 4, 2002

By 

Michael J Woznicki "Michael J Woznicki" (Holland, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop - ( K48-00001 ) (Personal Computers)

Over the past 14 years I have worked with a number of different keyboards and mice, I have found that the wireless models are usually better and more flexible. I also am a big fan of optical mice because they break down far less than standard mice.

Microsoft's release has you working with both a wireless mouse and keyboard and the results are good but a few improvements are needed. I found that I had to install the software first and then the hardware, I think this needs work to have the install of both hardware and software at the same time. Also you need to remove the old drivers as well before installing the hardware.

While the installation was flawless in Windows 98, 2000 and XP, Windows ME did not recognize the mouse or keyboard at first. ME did find the keyboard after I changed to the USB adapter. Also the user manual, while helpful could be expanded with more information for the novice users.

The keyboard, which is the natural model, had something I have never seen before, enhanced "F" key function providing you with additional features. Also included on the keyboard is a media center. As for the feel of the keyboard, if you like the natural layout this is certainly for you.

The mouse is optical with an enhance scroll wheel, I found the wheel to be smoother when surfing the internet or working through documents. The fact that is optical is certainly a big plus and also I was able to work with both items over the 6 foot limit, another plus if you have to do presentations.

Overall this is a very good product; Microsoft does have a model with the standard layout for those looking for a more traditional layout.