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Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000

Over the past few years we have taken a look at several Microsoft keyboards and mice. The last few variations of keyboards really haven't changed much with layout changes and updated mice being the major changes. If you have a relatively new Desktop set should you upgrade? Let's take a look at the new Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000.

Company:

Microsoft Corporation, www.microsoft.com

Price:

$76.99 US at NewEgg.com

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Getting Started

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 offers High Definition Technology for smoother tracking and unprecedented precision and performance. The Comfort Curve Design offers sophisticated style and superior comfort...or so the press release goes. The two noticeable differences with this model are the laser mouse and the comfort curve layout of the keyboard. Really this keyboard is a combination of the Digital Media Pro Keyboard (programmable buttons and zoom slider) and the Wireless Desktop Elite Keyboard (similar programmable buttons and wireless mouse and keyboard) with the curved keyboard design. You can see our reviews of those keyboards here.

Click on picture to enlarge image

Usability

The first steps of the set up are installing the mouse and keyboard drivers. Setting up the software for both the keyboard and mouse is easy and fast. It would be nice if these hardware items could be managed from a single app though. Once you have it installed and your settings made it isn't too bad, but set up takes a little more time because of the separate apps than it could from a single app.

Next is connecting the wireless receiver to your PC. The receiver connects using a USB and/or a PS2 port. If you use just the USB connector the keyboard and mouse work fine. If you use both the PS2 and USB connectors they work fine. But if you are working with a computer that only has USB connectors and no PS2 connector such as most new Dell computers ship with today and you use a PS2 to USB converter, the keyboard will not work. I am not aware of any issues of just using the USB connector as it seems all the multimedia and other buttons function correctly. We contacted Microsoft to see when they will start releasing their Keyboards with just a USB connector and they stated that they did not have any comments on the matter at this time. It appears in the instructions that you need to connect both the USB and PS2 connectors for the Desktop set to function correctly when in reality you only need to use the USB connector.

As I mentioned this model is very similar to other Microsoft models. The programmable keys function the same so we will not discuss those more. I really like the keyboard layout. The curved design feels natural to me. I do not like the true natural keyboards the way the keyboard is split in half. This layout feels comfortable and natural for me to use. The keys are soft and quiet although the keyboard does not feel as heavy and sturdy as other Microsoft models such as the Wireless Desktop Elite.

The other new feature to this Desktop set is the Laser mouse. This mouse if very similar in layout and design as the IntelliMouse Explorer that comes with the Wireless Desktop Elite with a few minor modifications to the overall design. The move from optical to laser made a decent mouse even better. I like using the previous model with business applications and web surfing. The design is comfortable and the scroll wheel is smooth and offers horizontal as well as vertical scrolling. The mouse is very smooth and comfortable in the hand. It feels sturdy, not plasticy and cheap. The scroll wheel is still very smooth and soft and the new laser technology makes the mouse crisp and responsive but not jerky as some laser mice feel.

Features and Specifications

Pros:

• Nice looking
• Curved keyboard for faster, more comfortable typing
• Programmable and customizable keys
• Laser mouse functions well

Cons:

• Separate interfaces for configuring mouse and keyboard
• Keyboard doesn't feel as sturdy as the Wireless Optical Desktop Elite

Adding It All Up

With the release of the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Microsoft gives us another great iteration of their keyboard and mouse sets. The curved keyboard design and laser mouse technology in conjunction with existing wireless connectivity and programmable buttons makes this a desktop set you should consider when upgrading your keyboard and mouse. As for their statement... smoother tracking and unprecedented precision and performance...sophisticated style and superior comfort... Microsoft's hype isn't all marketing mumbo jumbo. Try one out for yourself and see. You will be happy!

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