Kensington SlimBlade Media Notebook Set with Wireless Keyboard, Laser Mouse, and Numeric Keypad (Graphite) K72279US Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This keyboard is great. For years I have been looking for a keyboard that would take up minimum space on my desk. I don't ever use a number pad, and don't use all the bells and whistles buttons that most keyboards have. With this one, I just don't attach the number pad and that gives it a small footprint and locates the mouse close to the keyboard. It's all very slick looking, has a nice weight that keeps it in place, and does not have the clickety clack feel or sound that other keyboards have. The mouse was a nice surprise, also with just that right feel and weight, and has a little trackball for scrolling that is easy to control. My computer is located in a compartment inside my desk, and the compact USB receiver sometimes did not connect. My Dell flat panel monitor has two USB connectors on the side, so I moved it there and it's fine. If I wanted to use the receiver installed inside the desk compartment, which I might still decide to do, I think I would try using a USB extension cable to get it in a better position to reliably maintain its connection. The pictures of it shown on the Amazon web site as well as the Kensington site are quite fuzzy, so I was wary that it might be typical of that creaky plastic construction of keyboards I've had in the past. I was pleasantly suprised how solid it is. Superb quality. (But, $$$. I guess you get what you pay for.)

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Product Description:
This ultra-thin profile set contains a wireless keyboard, laser mouse and 17-key numeric keypad.By swapping the magnetically attached modules on the left or right side of the keyboard, the Kensington SlimBlade(TM) Media Notebook Set can be instantly transformed into whatever combination you need. The result is total control of your media and home workspace. Works great for right-handed or left-handed users.Design your own input device by moving pieces around.You can even add a media remote (sold separately) to enjoy your digital media and control Windows Media Center and Front Row from anywhere in the room.In Graphite.

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Logitech Wireless Combo Mk520 With Keyboard and Laser Mouse (920-002553) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Logitech MK520 is a well featured, basic wireless keyboard/mouse combination.There are a few quirks with the keyboard that should be addressed and merit the loss of a star, as will be explained shortly.

PACKAGING/OVERALL EXTERIOR DESIGN: The package comes with a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, receiver, and female USB cord.I immediately impressed by the small size of the USB receiver; compared to my wireless Logitech G7 receiver, this thing is microscopic!The keyboard itself is black, with a clear transparent plastic frame overlaid on top with a slight bit of overhang.It's a nice clean design, and reminds me of some of the "floating glass" frames of certain Sony Bravia TV models.The transparent plastic also has a functional purpose, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing- it makes the keyboard spill resistant.The mouse is a pretty standard design, and fits my palm nicely and comfortably.Nothing extraordinary about the mouse.

FUNCTIONAL USAGE:As soon as I plugged the receiver into the USB jack, Windows XP automatically installed the drivers and I was up and running in a few seconds. The keyboard types smoothly, and there's very little clicking to be heard.The keys are comfortable to depress, and the built in wrist rest makes typing over long durations quite comfortable.I tested the wireless keyboard and mouse about 10 feet away from the receiver without problems.Curious, I decided to try the combination in a gaming situation, where I output Bad Company 2 from my PC to 42" TV, and played on my couch using the wireless keyboard and mouse.The keyboard worked well, but the mouse is clearly not a gaming mouse.There was considerable lag, and movements were imprecise.So the mouse is not optimized for gaming!

I then plugged in my Logitech G7 Wireless mouse, and used it in tandem with the wireless MK520 keyboard.I was concerned that since the G7 was also operating at 2.4 GHz, there might be interference between the 2 devices.Fortunately, my concerns were premature, and the two devices worked beautifully together!

KEYBOARD THOUGHTS:The keyboard comes with 12 special Function keys which are shortcut keys to start various programs.Some include bringing up web browsers, opening My Computer, defaulting to the desktop view, etc..I found only a few of these buttons to be useful, e.g. the open web browser key (Fn+F1).However, the web browser shortcut key closes all other web browsers (even if you're using Firefox), which is rather annoying.I would've preferred that it open a new window or tab, rather than close all existing windows.Pressing the shortcut for the media players brought up Winamp for me; the problem with these shortcut keys is that there are no provisions to allow the user to re-program the corresponding applications for personal customization.I would've liked to see an ability to change the default media player from Winamp to my media player of choice, e.g. Media Player Classic.Similarly, I would've liked to see an ability to change the web browser so that existing windows are not closed.

There is a shortcut key to bring up the Windows Calculator, which I think is a brilliant shortcut key.I actually use the built-in calculator quite frequently, and the shortcut key is conveniently placed.

**UPDATE**: The keyboard offers limited personal customization by downloading the latest Setpoint software drivers from Logitech's website.I would've preferred if the drivers had been incorporated into the package to begin with onto a CD, or some explanation given in the manual however.

FINAL THOUGHTS:Lastly, the MK520 claims a remarkable miserly battery life of 3 years for the keyboard, and 1 year for the mouse.Both the keyboard and mouse automatically go to sleep after a period of no usage, and both have on/off switches, a thoughtful touch.It's quite remarkable considering that the keyboard only uses 2 AA batteries, and the mouse 1 AA battery (note: batteries are already provided by Logitech in the package).

In conclusion, it's a very good basic wireless keyboard/mouse combo that could use some reprogramming to address the shortcut keys.

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Product Description:
The logitech wireless combo mk520 puts convenience and control comfortably at your fingertips thanks to its full-size keyboard with concave keys and hand-friendly, contoured laser mouse.

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Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 with USB Port (Black) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking for, ideally, an ergonomic keyboard with soft touch. Unfortunately after reading many of the reviews here on Amazon, it seemes to me that the two are mutually exclusive. (One of the most common complaints of ergonomic keyboards is that several keys either stick or require a harder-than-normal keypress.) I was also thinking of getting a freestyle solo keyboard, but most of them don't have the ten-key number pad, which is required for both my work and recreation. So I went in to Office Depot and checked out a bunch of the keyboards. My absolute favorite for softness of touch and shortness of keystroke was the Kensington Ci73:

Kensington Ci73 Wired Keyboard, Low Profile Design (K64397US)

Unfortunately many of the reviews I've read of this product describe total failure from within days to weeks. Even with all of the positive reviews the Kensington received, I wasn't willing to make a purchase with such a high chance of needing to be returned. Also, I prefer not to use wireless devices, as I don't want to risk signal loss (which at best is annoying, and at worst can get you killed in your favorite MMO).

The Microsoft Wired Desktop 600 was my second choice among the available keyboards. I bought one for home use last night and used it all evening with absolutely no pain in my hands or wrists at all. I came into work this morning and within an hour of using my work keyboard my wrists were hurting again, so I bought one for work too. It's extremely comfortable and I have no pain at all. It's also very quiet. The mouse click is a little louder than the normal HP or Dell mice but it's not terrible. Also the scroll-wheel is a little stiffer. I may go back to my old mouse, but the keyboard alone is worth the price!

The only warnings I have about this keyboard is for gamers: The ESC and Function keys are not like the normal letter and number keys, they're smaller and have a different key-press structure. As such, I highly recommend getting familiar with exactly how the escape key needs to be pushed *before* you get in a situation where you're mashing it because you just accidentally queued up a power that you didn't mean to. It's not difficult, it's just different, and you want to pay attention the first couple of times.

Also, the number pad zero key is lower (as is every key, since the whole keyboard is lower profile), which means if you're used to hitting number pad zero with your thumb, you'll need to do a tiny bit of adjusting there. (For perspective, I usually use the first joint in my thumb to hit the zero key, but now because it's lower I have to use the fleshy part of my thumb. Like I said it's not difficult, it's just a very small adjustment.)

I am extremely happy with this keyboard, it's so wonderful to be able to type without pain. Someone asked me if there was really that much of a difference with the soft touch, and YES, there definitely is! My previous work-keyboard didn't even seem all that stiff, but when compared to this keyboard the difference is noticeable. And of course, the most noticeable difference is that there's NO PAIN.

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Product Description:
optical tracking technology mouse, quiet touch keys, integrated water channels, Start button key for Vista, Calculator Hotkey and Media Hotkeys, USB-Connected Devices

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Logitech Desktop MK120 Mouse and keyboard Combo (920-002565) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Love the keyboard for its classic design. No more useless fluff like copy and paste buttons, playback buttons, browser... email buttons etc.
The keys are at the right size and shape, no more irregular over sized or shrunk keys.

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Product Description:
With a comfortable, quiet keyboard that's sleek yet sturdy and a high-definition optical mouse, the durable logitech desktop mk120 brings comfort, style and usb simmplicity together.

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