Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 4000 (3.0) Silver PS2/USB Mac/Win
by Microsoft
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List Price: Our Price: $79.50 You Save: $0.45 (1%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $39.95 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 4000 (3.0) Silver PS2/USB Mac/Win
Customer Review: Very good set, some mouse problems
Summary: 4 Stars
The keyboard is the icing on the cake: I just love the zoom sliding button. Great in Excel, CorelDraw and with the Firefox browser. The same goes for the 5 "favorites" buttons that can be used to short cut to documents or applications. The ergonimics is good if not great. The not-quiet-leather support for the wrists is fantastic. The mouse works good but not great.
One problem I noticed: I have 2 of these kits, one in the office, one at home. At home, I'm constantly struggling with the mouse. The wireless communication is being disturbed by (probably) my cordless phone nearby or whatever. The cursor jumps erratically over the screen every few minutes. Very annoying and couldn't be resolved yet (Correction 2 months later: I resolved it by attaching the Mouse to the PS/2 port instead of USB. Too many USB devices, apparently) I still give it 4 stars because it works flawlessly in my office. Looks cool, too...
Customer Review: Modifier Keys Are Broken
Summary: 1 Stars
This keyboard has a lot of nice features, but it falls down on the basics. The modifier keys (alt, ctrl, Shift, Winkey) un-press themselves. For example, if you hold down alt and press tab repeatedly, you would expect to cycle through active applications. If you do this long enough, this keyboard acts as if you had released the alt key. "Long enough" is variable -- sometimes 2 keystrokes, sometimes 20+.
I tried it with Win XP, and the problem showed up. I booted in safe mode, and the problem showed up. I booted another operating system (Knoppix) and the problem showed up.
I ran a keyboard diagnostic routine, the keyboard is sending a key-release scan code for the modifier key, even though I am holding the key down firmly.
I have two of these keyboards. Each exhibits the problem. Either it is a design flaw, or they have a defect in the manufacturing process.
Customer Review: MS Optical Wireless Mouse 3000 - PS2 connector problems
Summary: 4 Stars
This review only covers the mouse mentioned above(also known as Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0). Installation and setup was a breeze with XP. Had problems when using the mouse with the PS2-USB connector that came in the mouse package. not very responsive, would need to click 2-3 times before the 'click' would actually occur on the screen, or you have to be very precise about placing the pointer right at the center of the icon you are trying to click. Another reviewer here mentioned that he had the opposite problem: while connecting directly to USB it had this problem, but it went away when using the PS2 connector. Strange. In any case, my problem went away when I connected directly to the USB port. Now the mouse works just fine, and there are no problems with signal or connection strength. the receiver is placed about 2 feet away, and at a higher level(mouse is on a below-desk keyboard tray).Customer Review: Blah
Summary: 2 Stars
Keyboard: Great. A solid product, and I have no complaints.
Mouse: Poor. Eats batteries like mad. Not smooth or responsive at all; possibly a weak signal, however, mine was only a couple feet from the antenna. Also seems fussy when used with solid-color mousepads. Bah!
Antenna: Eh, yet another space-waster. Why can't these things be contained in a smart little dongle, instead of in a big honkin paperweight that sits on my desk and ads to my spaghetti of cords? Other keyboards do it better, why can't Microsoft?
Conclusion: I use the keyboard, which works fine for me, except that I resent the size of the antenna. As for the mouse, I THREW IT AWAY (yes, I actually did) and replaced it with a better stand-alone model. In short, if you can buy the keyboard by itself, go for it and just buy a different mouse sepatately.
Customer Review: Gamers Beware!
Summary: 2 Stars
I love this keyboard. It's comfy, well designed and the extra keys are useful and well integrated. HOWEVER, if you play any games on your PC (real games, not minesweeper or hearts), do not get this! There is a flaw in these wireless MS keyboards which means that keys get "stuck" when playing. This makes first person games like Doom 3 or Half-Life 2 virtually unplayable. If you don't believe me, check out the message boards on Microsoft's website!
Another problem most likely to affect gamers: powerful subwoofers WILL interfere with the mouse on occasion, meaning that this is again not the keyboard/mouse set for gamers.
If all you are going to use this set for is email and basic office applications, it is a great purchase. However, do not buy this if you play games!