My LCD tv is also my computer monitor, and I compute from my office, which is also my bedroom, so I really wanted the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 5000 Keyboard and Mouse to be my solution to comfort. The quick buttons for email, internet, music, zoom, forward and backward, etc. were also appealing.

But if the keyboard and mouse were not within 6-8 inches of the receiver, it just didn't function.

Most annoying was the inability to work. How many times did I get up and "hard kill" my computer because the keyboard and mouse would not function, and I could not 'get out of' or re-start, or go back, or un-do or anything? Too many to count.

Eventually, I learned to carefully balance the receiver on the edge of my bed, propped up at least 8-10 inches with a few pillows or books, and hold the keyboard out towards it, aiming and hoping that 20-30% of what I typed would show up...

Then there was the error message. I kept getting an message that said: "mouse signal quality is low (or keyboard signal quality is low), want to troubleshoot?" over and over - no matter how many times the 'troubleshooter' was run; no matter how new the batteries; no matter how often I re-connected and re-booted; no matter how many 'channel changes' and no matter how near the receiver was placed.

At last I disconnected this product and got out the old, basic hard-wired keyboard that came with the computer when I bought it, and set up a folding table as a temporary desk until I could shop for a better wireless (or cordless) keyboard and mouse set. I'm still using it, because I still haven't found a product yet that can give consistent, strong, reliable signal from 3-8 feet away, every time, all the time...