Hardware

Introduction

High-end performance hardware gets the majority of press attention, but there is still more to a system than a killer CPU and a hotrod video card. Case in point, the sheer proliferation of wireless mouse-keyboard desktops, which can make it tough to differentiate one from the other, especially as new technology emerges and older models become discontinued. Microsoft is a leader in wireless mouse and keyboard technology, already with a wide range of optical devices, and with the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, the company has finally incorporated laser mouse technology into a mainstream cordless desktop.

The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 offers some noted enhancements to the older product lines, but it is more an evolutionary shift. The mouse is the most obvious improvement, and this desktop combo includes the popular Wireless Laser Mouse 6000. As the name infers, Microsoft has moved to high definition laser technology, which offers higher precision, smoother tracking and better responsiveness than older optical mouse technology. In terms of specifics, this translates into an imaging rate of 6000 frames per second, and a tracking speed of up to 20 inches per second. This technological shift is one that has been a long time coming, especially as Logitech beat Microsoft to the laser mouse punch.

The Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 also includes a new Magnifier feature, which allows the user to enlarge portions of an image, text document, map or other on-screen item to create a higher level of detail. Just press and hold the mouse button, and a magnifying lens appears that can be moved around using the mouse. It works exactly as advertised (although Microsoft states *most* programs are compatible), and as the magnifier area can be easily moved, it is much simpler to use than standard "zoom" keyboard functions. This is a very nice feature, and can be useful for everything from reading fine print on a website contract, to closely examining EBay images.

Mouse aesthetics have also changed, and Microsoft has moved to a silver-finish for this desktop combo, with a shiny upper shell and a gray finish for the thumb and finger rest. The overall styling, buttons and scroll wheel have not changed that much, but this 5-button mouse does have a classier look. One noticeable improvement is the move towards a one-piece upper shell, without any grooves or indentations, which is again something Logitech mouse controllers are well known for. It is also extremely light on its own, and only the two AA batteries give the mouse any real heft. Enhanced battery life and improved power savings are features Microsoft likes to trumpet, and battery life is estimated at 6 months. Our Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 is still chugging along a few months after we slapped in the two Energizer AA batteries (included) with no change in the battery status.

The Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard fills the keyboard portion of the desktop combo, but unlike the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000, is not available separately. It shares the same basic look as the mouse, and features a two-tone silver housing, along with a dark grey hand rest. The hand rest is cushioned with a faux leather covering, but is unfortunately not removable. This creates a bit larger footprint than standard keyboards, but it is still smaller than the Microsoft Desktop Elite. The keyboard itself is styled in the "comfort" format, which is a curved ergonomic design, but not as radical as the Microsoft Natural keyboards. Like the mouse, the keyboard also uses two AA batteries (included - Energizer) and with an estimated 6 month battery life, follows previous Microsoft keyboards in providing excellent power management.

The standard keyboard keys are clear plastic, while the outer multimedia/office buttons are a mixture of silver and grey, which creates an interesting combination. Ever since Microsoft introduced this see-through key design, we have tried to like it, but for some reason it enhances the "cheapness" of the keyboard and we much prefer the look of opaque black or white keys. The actual keys do not feel as solid as other keyboard models, and although we had no problems in terms of typing performance or responsiveness, we did miss the smooth finish and sturdiness of a high-end black enameled key.

The multimedia keys are also a bit different from older Microsoft keyboard designs, and standard "Web, Calendar, Mail, Messenger, My Documents" office buttons are now on a rounded section on the left-side of the keyboard. This is right next to the Zoom slider, which provides magnification in supported programs. The volume/mute, play/stop/pause, and forward/back multimedia keys have been downsized significantly. Instead of sitting prominently at the top-middle of the keyboard, these are now scattered around, and the Favorites buttons have taken their place. Like all Microsoft keyboards, the "Home, End, Delete, page-Up/Down" keys are in a separate group on the right, between the alpha keys and the numeric keypad.

The bundled receiver is a shared unit that handles both the mouse and keyboard signals operating at 27 MHz Radio Frequency (RF), but as both mouse and keyboard are battery powered, this is purely an RF device with no recharging capabilities. It is a standard oval-shaped 3.0 revision that, other than the silver color, is indistinguishable from the original model found with the first Wireless Optical Desktops. It features both USB and PS/2 connectors, and the 6-foot cord length is a foot longer than the Logitech competition.