Trick or Treat: Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000

Halloween is the time when kids get a chance to get tricks or treats from others. This Halloween, I actually got a treat from Microsoft. They sent me a Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard and mouse set.

I've been planning to switch my current USB Mouse and USB keyboard with wireless versions for some time now. In fact, I had bought a Microsoft Wireless MultiMedia keyboard (1.0A) a while back, but never installed it. The primary hindrance point was the big wired receiver that you still needed to have on your desk for the devices to work. The receiver was just as bad as having a wired mouse on your desk. While I managed to get this set out of the box, I never installed it.

I also didn't like the idea that you needed to have the receiver and mouse/keyboard in line with each other and relatively close. I use a keyboard and mouse that are located under the main desk and away from the main computer that sits off to the side. There is no straight line and there is a good amount of wooden desk between the computer and the peripherals I use.

http://blog.codeguru.com/blog/assets...0x144-4025.jpgWith the Desktop 5000, the technology uses a 2.4GHz wireless USB transceiver. This transceiver is no larger than a standard USB memory stick. There are no wires for this receiver, it simply plugs into a USB slot and then gives you up to 30 feet to place your keyboard and mouse. It is very clean and simple.

My wired keyboard was a natural keyboard in that the keys were on a bit of a hill and thus to the right and left. While the Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard is not a natural keyboard, it does do two things to make up for this. First, its keys are aligned in a curve rather than being straight across. Coming from a natural keyboard, this meant the keys felt perfectly positioned. I imagine that if I used a standard keyboard, the slightly bigger keys in the middle (G, H, B, and N) might feel odd. Secondarily, while most keyboard come with little feet to raise the back this keyboard allows you to put the feet in the back or the front. I put them in the front so that the palm rest is raised to support my hands. Small feature, but one that makes this keyboard much in line with the natural keyboard I am replacing.

Of course, all this ignores the features that are on the keyboard. In truth, if you've used a modern keyboard, then you'll find the features you expect. This includes media keys, customizable buttons, standard arrow, numeric pad, and other keys, and more. The one thing that is a little off is the function keys. They are smaller than the function keys on most keyboards. While initially this smaller size bothered me, I believe the jury is still out as to whether it is a negative or not.

The software for customizing the keyboard is simple to use and makes assigning your on functions to the special keys easy. By running the keyboard program that installs on the Start menu, you can quickly access the settings:

http://blog.codeguru.com/blog/assets...0x282-4022.pngIt is a simple matter of selecting a custom key to configure and setting a value. Like everyone should, I set the first custom key to go to Codeguru.com by simply entering http://www.Codeguru.com.

Being that Microsoft gave me this keyboard, I was set for it to possibly be a trick. In reality, so far it has been a great treat! Being that the batteries are not rechargeable, only time will tell if this becomes more of a trick!

Details:

• Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000
• List Price: $79.99 (seems a bit high priced)
• Windows 7, Vista, and 32-bit XP compatible (100 MB hard drive space)
• Mac OS X v10.4x- 10.5x compatible (30 MB hard drive space)
• USB required
• Uses 4 AA batteries (included)
• Mouse uses Microsoft BlueTrack Technology

More...

I have a similar system, but it uses the BlueWave mouse and came with such a discount that the whole package was less than what I would pay for the mouse alone. The keyboard is a straight one, but it is still better than my natural keyboard. I wanted my natural keyboard to be REALLY natural, so I whittled it out of a chunk of pine, and the keys don't even move.

Battery life is excellent, so far.

Last week a friend of mine had a tendon problem. This was a wakeup call for me.

Since then, I have been looking for discounts on ergonomic keyboards, but I haven't found a wireless keyboard + mouse under $40.00

It looks like I may have to settle for a wired keyboard. This is what I found.

Are the keys bigger than a standard keyboard? I have been using a reclusa ms keyboard because of the extra large keys, I wouldn't mind having a wireless one if the keys are at least a bit oversized!

Ok so I bit the bullet and went for a wireless 7000. This the first ergonomic keyboard I have ever owned or even seen, so my impressions? well it is slower to type on for now but that is more to do with the slightly different alignment of the keys rather than a negative of the keyboard itself.

The wireless receiver works fine out of the box and seems to pick up the keyboard and mouse with no issues even though it is hidden at the back of the pc under my desk. The crest in the keyboard is very strange but at the same time I find that I peck less and my wrists are much more relaxed.

It remains to be seen though if it will improve my sore wrists over time but it does seem to be more naturally fitting than a standard or oversized keyboard,