Logitech Cordless Desktop Pro Keyboard and Mouse (967044-0403)
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- Input Interface Type: Keyboard and Mouse
- Connectivity: Wireless
- Platform: PC
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User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Keyboard has great range, Mouse range is quirky
Pros
RF wireless (doesn't require "line of sight" operation), comfortable keyboard, comfortable mouse for right-handers, $99 price point, flexible software for configuring extra buttons
Cons
Receiver cables could be longer, Mouse range is noticably shorter than keyboard range, some keys aren't where you expect them on the keyboard.
Recommended it?
Yes
I needed a Wireless keyboard/mouse solution for my Home Theater PC, which is connected to my HDTV. I've always been a fan of Logitech devices, so I figured this was the way to go. While I'm not COMPLETELY happy with it, it's still the best solution. My wife and I have always preferred natural-style keyboards, since we're both real touch-typists. We're both right-handed mousers, so the right-handed form factor of the wireless mouse didn't bother us.
Installation
-------------
Mixed bag. I purchased this keyboard/mouse combo as part of a new system.
The package includes:
The Keyboard ("Natural" style)
The Mouse (one-handed molded style)
The receiver (with 2 cables coming out of it, 1 for the KB, one for the Mouse, both USB. Adapters to standard PS2 type connections for each are included).
Batteries (2 AA's for the KB, 2 AAA's for the mouse)
Manual
When I first configured this, I couldn't get the keyboard working on my newly uninstalled system. I'm sure that if I had read the manual, I would have had better luck. Instead, I hooked up a regular keyboard until I could get the OS installed on my new system and get the Itouch software set up.
Hint: read the manual. it's like 4 pages long. Lesson learned.
Once the software is installed, the keyboard works in and out of windows, such as for bios configuration screens.
Comfort and Usability
-----------------------
As I said, we're both good typers (full home-row typers) and right-handed mousers, so the keyboard and mouse are very comfortable.
The keyboard is a "Natural" style layout, meaning it has a split keyboard. I find it comfortable to type on, but some of the keys have a strange layout. The INSERT/HOME/PAGEUP/DELETE/END/PAGEDOWN keys are arranged sideways, which is a pain in the rear. I'm used to them being 3 on 3, instead it's 2 on 2 on 2. I *HATE* this. If this were my ONLY keyboard, however, i'm sure i'd get used to it. Since I have multiple machines in my house, I don't like this at all.
There's some specialized buttons on the keyboard as well for Internet control, Media control (volume, next track, previous track, etc), Sleep, among others. These are all configurable in the Itouch software. You get spoiled with these, you really do. It's nice to just be able to hit a key and mute your audio output for when the phone rings.
The mouse is comfortable, with the Scroll Wheel that everyone is hooked on right where it should be. The wheel also serves as the "middle button". There's also a 4th mouse button where your left thumb is. It's basically just like the Mouseman Wheel or Mouseman+. It's not optical (it uses a ball), and quite frankly, I PREFER this. I don't really like optical mice because of the tracking problems they have. All mouse buttons are also configurable with the Mouseware software included during the install. You can also configure cursors, click rates, smart-zoom, and the like.
Range and Performance
----------------------
The keyboard has excellent range. I can go anywhere in the room, and it will work (it's a 12x16 room). The range is easily better than 20 feet. I can lounge out on the couch and type away.
The mouse, however, is a different story. The mouse doesn't have anywhere near the range as the keyboard. The mouse needs to be within 6 feet of the receiver to work properly as determined by my tests. I have to take the receiver OUT of my audio rack for it to work properly (and no, just opening the front glass door doesn't help). It MAY be interference, and I can't really place it in a position where it's away from other components, since it's part of my Home Theater system. They do warn you in the manual about RF interference shortening the range, and when the mouse is somewhat out of range, it's jerky and takes several clicks to register a single click. Annoying.
However, if I place the receiver out of the rack, all is well.
One thing I wish they would have provided with the Cordless kit was a small glide pad or "nipple" mouse on the keyboard. When i'm lounging out on the couch chatting, I'd like the ability to use a small thumb-mouse or glide pad to do some quick controls. I don't always need a full-blown mouse.
Summary
--------
The cordless desktop pro is comfortable overall, but has some minor setup issues. The keyboard has excellent range, but the mouse is somewhat flaky at longer distances. It's a great choice if you never plan on being more than 6 feet from your target. At $99 in stores, it's not tremendously expensive. A decent CORDED keyboard and mouse would cost you $99 collectively.
I'll give this a 3. To make it a perfect 5, they'd have to do the following:
1. Work on getting the mouse range a bit better.
2. Fix the INSERT/HOME/PAGEUP/DELETE/END/PAGEDOWN keys and put them WHERE THEY BELONG.
3. Add a small thumb-mouse or glidepad.
4. Include longer wires with the receiver for more flexible placement.
Installation
-------------
Mixed bag. I purchased this keyboard/mouse combo as part of a new system.
The package includes:
The Keyboard ("Natural" style)
The Mouse (one-handed molded style)
The receiver (with 2 cables coming out of it, 1 for the KB, one for the Mouse, both USB. Adapters to standard PS2 type connections for each are included).
Batteries (2 AA's for the KB, 2 AAA's for the mouse)
Manual
When I first configured this, I couldn't get the keyboard working on my newly uninstalled system. I'm sure that if I had read the manual, I would have had better luck. Instead, I hooked up a regular keyboard until I could get the OS installed on my new system and get the Itouch software set up.
Hint: read the manual. it's like 4 pages long. Lesson learned.
Once the software is installed, the keyboard works in and out of windows, such as for bios configuration screens.
Comfort and Usability
-----------------------
As I said, we're both good typers (full home-row typers) and right-handed mousers, so the keyboard and mouse are very comfortable.
The keyboard is a "Natural" style layout, meaning it has a split keyboard. I find it comfortable to type on, but some of the keys have a strange layout. The INSERT/HOME/PAGEUP/DELETE/END/PAGEDOWN keys are arranged sideways, which is a pain in the rear. I'm used to them being 3 on 3, instead it's 2 on 2 on 2. I *HATE* this. If this were my ONLY keyboard, however, i'm sure i'd get used to it. Since I have multiple machines in my house, I don't like this at all.
There's some specialized buttons on the keyboard as well for Internet control, Media control (volume, next track, previous track, etc), Sleep, among others. These are all configurable in the Itouch software. You get spoiled with these, you really do. It's nice to just be able to hit a key and mute your audio output for when the phone rings.
The mouse is comfortable, with the Scroll Wheel that everyone is hooked on right where it should be. The wheel also serves as the "middle button". There's also a 4th mouse button where your left thumb is. It's basically just like the Mouseman Wheel or Mouseman+. It's not optical (it uses a ball), and quite frankly, I PREFER this. I don't really like optical mice because of the tracking problems they have. All mouse buttons are also configurable with the Mouseware software included during the install. You can also configure cursors, click rates, smart-zoom, and the like.
Range and Performance
----------------------
The keyboard has excellent range. I can go anywhere in the room, and it will work (it's a 12x16 room). The range is easily better than 20 feet. I can lounge out on the couch and type away.
The mouse, however, is a different story. The mouse doesn't have anywhere near the range as the keyboard. The mouse needs to be within 6 feet of the receiver to work properly as determined by my tests. I have to take the receiver OUT of my audio rack for it to work properly (and no, just opening the front glass door doesn't help). It MAY be interference, and I can't really place it in a position where it's away from other components, since it's part of my Home Theater system. They do warn you in the manual about RF interference shortening the range, and when the mouse is somewhat out of range, it's jerky and takes several clicks to register a single click. Annoying.
However, if I place the receiver out of the rack, all is well.
One thing I wish they would have provided with the Cordless kit was a small glide pad or "nipple" mouse on the keyboard. When i'm lounging out on the couch chatting, I'd like the ability to use a small thumb-mouse or glide pad to do some quick controls. I don't always need a full-blown mouse.
Summary
--------
The cordless desktop pro is comfortable overall, but has some minor setup issues. The keyboard has excellent range, but the mouse is somewhat flaky at longer distances. It's a great choice if you never plan on being more than 6 feet from your target. At $99 in stores, it's not tremendously expensive. A decent CORDED keyboard and mouse would cost you $99 collectively.
I'll give this a 3. To make it a perfect 5, they'd have to do the following:
1. Work on getting the mouse range a bit better.
2. Fix the INSERT/HOME/PAGEUP/DELETE/END/PAGEDOWN keys and put them WHERE THEY BELONG.
3. Add a small thumb-mouse or glidepad.
4. Include longer wires with the receiver for more flexible placement.
