Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth

I have a fetish for Wireless Keyboards and Mice. I buy a new one every 3-4 months as new versions are released in the hopes of finding a better solution. I have never found the perfect combination.Before purchasing this setup, I was using a Microsoft Keyboard with a Logitech MX1000 laser mouse. I loved the combo but the mouse stopped functioning.I purchased this setup about 2 months ago. This is the second time I have owned the Microsoft Bluetooth setup. The first one was about 2 years ago and was the standard unit. Decided to go with the elite in the hope that the flaws in the original were resolved. I am sad to say they are not.Let's start with the good.1. The unit has great range for short term use. I can use it 10-12 feet away from the desk.2. Nice large keyboard. The keyboard is definitely the positive with this kit. Great tactile feel to the keys.Now to the bad.1. Even though you can take the unit a long way from the receiver, it seems to mysteriously lose contact with the computer on a random basis. The problem has lessened by moving the receiver to the USB ports on my monitor but it still happens on occassion. 90% of the time, it is the keyboard but it can happen with the mouse too. Major pain.2. Terrible delay on the keyboard when it has gone into standby...it can take 2 seconds for the keyboard to wake up. Annoying and no other keyboard I have used does this...including Microsoft's own non-bluetooth variety.3. The mouse wheel stops functioning for no reason. Removing the mouse and reconnecting it or rebooting the machine fixes it.4. If you need to remove and reconnect the mouse for the above reason, you must attach a mouse because the bluetooth discovery utility will not let you use the Tab key to select the mouse in the list of discovered devices. Simply bad UI.The technology used in this package is just out of date. Microsoft needs to update it. The Logitech setups run rings around this as far as features go. They also have more reliable connectivity, less lag and a better price.If you must have Bluetooth (not sure why you do), this is your best option. Otherwise, pick one of any of the competing Logitech devices and you will be happier.

I had to upgrade my Microsoft Office keyboard that I loved dearly and was having no luck finding a replacement. After realizing I was not going to find another MS Office keyboard like my old one, I decided to go all out and get a really nice new combo set...and a Bluetooth one at that. Well, I must say that this keyboard & mouse set is the BEST!!! It's easy to pair, responds quickly, even when resuming from standby, and has all the bells and whistles of my old MS Office keyboard...and then some! The keys & keyboard are very comfortable. I needed to find a keyboard where I would have my MS Office shortcuts on it like the old one and there is nothing of the sort really out there anymore. This one allowed me to assign 5 customized shortcuts, plus still had my e-mail, web, messenger, documents, and pictures shortcuts. The left scroll on the keyboard is great and the back/forth keys are still there as well. They have even added the media center at the top so I can adjust my music right from my keyboard! I use this keyboard all day long at the office, so it takes a good beating and so far...so good! The mouse is ergonimically contoured for comfortable hand positioning. You can customize the side buttons on it as well and the scroll is VERY comfortable on it, with little pressure needed to scroll. Being wireless is just another plus! I have yet to change the batteries, so that is also a plus - as much as I use it, the battery life is HUGE! I love the Bluetooth because you don't have to have the signal lined up perfectly to connect - you can be up to 30 feet in any direction & it will still work! I am thinking about getting one for my home PC as well so I can sit on the couch wirelessly and use my computer! In my opinion, anyone who wants freedom from wires and a very comfortable, customizable keyboard and mouse that will last a long time & has a lot of bells & whistles, this one is definitely it!!!

I bought this product because I wanted to try bluetooth for a change. After a few days the keyboard started dropping out and had to be reinstalled several times. After a week of this it failed altogether and wouldn't be recognized by my system any more. The mouse continued to work fine. Amazon sent me a replacement very quickly. The keyboard on that one started dropping out after four days. That's enough for me. There's something seriously wrong with this product.

I bought this bluetooth keyboard and mouse to use with my laptop so I could use a full size keyboard at my desk and still be able to grab my laptop and go without having to unplug the mouse and keyboard.Installation went fairly smoothly. I used the bluetooth transmitter in my Dell computer and did not install the separate transmitter that came with the unit. Why have something else to disconnect?My main problem is that at least once a day, the keyboard loses connection with the laptop. Odd as it sounds, I can restore the connection by taking the batteries out and putting them back in again. Once in a while I have to go through the entire keyboard installation process which takes a couple minutes. I can't tell whether this problem is related to the keyboard or the Dell bluetooth transmitter. It is a significant annoyance.I also have a problem with the keyboard and the mouse responding quickly after not using them for a while. I think to save batteries, they tend to go to sleep. I have to jiggle the mouse before it starts working and have to type 3-5 letters before the keyboard picks up again.The feel of the keyboard is fine and I like the mouse. The various hot keys are convenient. The coloring on the keyboard letters make them hard to see in low light.Overall, I am barely satisfied with the keyboard but I don't know whether to blame Dell or Microsoft. The mouse is great and I have no real complaints about it.