Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000

One of our Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 6000s had its space bar button die. We tried to get things working, but it seems that it would not cooperate.

So, we needed a replacement.

For those of us with bad wrists, in my case due to slinging a wrench for so many years without initial training on protecting them, a wave style keyboard helps to reduce the need to wrist pivot the hands while typing.

We have found that the Microsoft wave style is one of the ergonomic keyboards available.

 

With this particular keyboard being Bluetooth enabled we were able to pair both the keyboard and the number pad with the workstation’s built-in Intel DP55KG Bluetooth in a matter of seconds.

Key action on the new 6000 provides great feedback with a smooth action. For comparison, it has the feel of a high quality laptop keyboard.

Due to its compact size though, there were some compromises on the number and type of keys included on the keyboard. The one button that we really miss is the right mouse click key. In its place is a blue Fn key for the page up, down, home, end, and other such keys.

When working in Word or Outlook it is much easier to tap on that key to gain access to the right click menu for copy and paste or to work with e-mail.

While a user’s preference for a keyboard style is particular to them, there is an added benefit to having the separate number pad for folks that work in accounting offices. So, we will be suggesting this keyboard and number pad combination to our accounting clients.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists
Co-Author: SBS 2008 Blueprint Book

*Our original iMac was stolen (previous blog post). We now have a new MacBook Pro courtesy of Vlad Mazek, owner of OWN.

Windows Live Writer

Hardware Review: Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000

This is a preliminary review of the product that we just received.

I finally got sick and tired of the Desktop 6000's radio signals always breaking or loosing key strokes.

So, on first glance: Neat looking keyboard!

The keys are a little more fluid in their action than the 6000 was, so it will take a little getting used to them. They have a very smooth action, with a very gentle resistance point to let you know that the key will perform the requested action.

There have been no radio issues so far. And, I would expect that from a Bluetooth based keyboard. This blog post is being written on the keyboard, and even when I am typing quite fast, not a keystroke has been lost yet!!!! YAY! :D

The 6000 Microsoft driver software picked up the new 7000 series Bluetooth USB fob with no issues, and subsequently the keyboard and mouse were picked up as well.

The install was flawless from that point of view.

There is no extended number pad on this keyboard. Keep this in mind for corporate offices, especially accounting ones.

Microsoft, could you make a version of this keyboard for the Office please? We know that the Media Center market is huge, but don't forget about us.

The keyboard is also quite flat. And, I mean flat! At its highest point it probably stands less than 1" (~1.5cm). Just tall enough to house the 4 nonrechargeable AA batteries, two per top side of the keyboard. The Bluetooth radio must be hungry for power, so we will see what kind of battery life we will get from the keyboard.

The Function keys as well as the Home and End "keys" do not have traditional buttons. There is a little raised bar in the keyboard's plastic where their respective labels are with the keyboard sensing a finger's presence. That is a neat feature.

The mouse is a huge step in the right direction.

It is laser based, and uses a regular NiMH 2000mAh AA battery which can come in very handy to replace with a fully charged one quickly. It also means that if the battery dies for some reason, one can replace it. The Logitech MX Laser that I have been using would require the mouse to be thrown out as the battery is not user replaceable.

The mouse's ergonomic shape has been vastly improved over the 6000 series mouse. It actually fits in my hand comfortably! That should not be too tough to do, but in some cases like the 6000 series mouse, it is.

The mouse charger is essentially a small plate with a bump for lining up the mouse and the two electrodes to pass power through to it. The setup is rather simple, but uses up a bit more desktop space than the Logitech charger that stands the mouse vertically.

All in all, I am pretty impressed with this new keyboard/mouse desktop set. Given that the mouse actually fits with my hand, I am going to actually use it for a while to see if I continue to like it. No other MS mouse other than the basic optical has been given that chance due to poor hand fitting.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

Product Review: Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 V2.0

A while back in March we did a product review: Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 V2.0.

After about 4 months of use, the keyboard is starting to drive me nuts! :(

Actually, it is not the keyboard, but the wireless radio that is giving me hassles.

I have since found out that one cannot run two Microsoft wireless (not Bluetooth) keyboards close to each other, or another wireless keyboard and/or mouse close by as the unit is quite finicky.

I keep getting signal quality warnings from the keyboard software and tons of lost keystrokes. It gets really bad when I am using my Logitech MX Laser mouse a lot . The more mousing, the more I have radio problems with the keyboard! :(

We will have to let it go and pick up a Bluetooth version of the keyboard.

Hopefully the newer 7000 or 8000 series keyboard has the same feel in the keystrokes as this one does because I really like that aspect of the keyboard.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists

Product Review: Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 V2.0

My old MS keyboard has been behaving flaky lately. It was about two years old, and had a lot of miles on it.

So, I have replaced it with the new Microsoft Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 V2.0 (WLK). It came with Microsoft's new Laser Mouse 6000.

I won't be using the new Microsoft mouse except as a backup.

I currently use a Logitech MX Laser that fits my hand really well, and has an absolutely amazing level of precision when working in apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. It is also rechargeable.

On that note, I let the batteries exhaust completely before putting the mouse on the charger cradle/receiver. I do this because it gives the batteries their longest possible lifespan. Rechargeable batteries have a plug-in life, that is they will die after so many charge cycles. They also have memories. Yes, even the Lithium-Ion ones have a memory.

So, when my Logitech batteries die, I get a chance to work with the Microsoft mouse that came with my keyboard. And, when I do that, it just reinforces why I won't use it:

• It is not comfortable to hold.
• Its contours are just a little off for me.
• And, I miss the multiple button features on the Logitech.

On to the keyboard.

After so many years slinging a wrench - I was a few work experience hours away from my journeyman mechanic's license when I got into computers - I need the ergonomic style of keyboard for my wrists.

The first generation ergonomic keyboards were painful for us touch-typers. Microsoft and Logitech both shifted the 5 key over to the right finger, or with later revisions, they shifted the 6 key over to the left finger. There really wasn't a whole lot of consistency as to where those two numbers turned up! One needed to "relearn" to type.

I now use those previous generation keyboards in the shop, and they still cause me to stumble!

I am very picky about my keyboard. I prefer a certain type of resistance in the keys to my touch. That resistance must notify me through my fingers that the key has indeed been activated.

The WLK does not have the same feel as my previous Comfort Keyboard 1.0A. The Comfort Keyboard keys had a lot more travel to them, and a resistance point about two thirds of the way through the keystroke.

The WLK has a very short key stroke, and the resistance point is almost immediate. It is going to take a little getting used to. It is also quite quiet. So, no real feedback from sound.

The keys themselves are recessed right into the body of the keyboard. This feature makes it a bit different to ALT+TAB for me as my fingers hit the body edge on the left side of the keyboard. This is of course on Windows XP. Windows Vista with Aero Glass enabled will change that as I will be using the WIN+TAB or WIN+SHIFT+TAB keys for the 3D view of each open window.

The quick keys are fairly standard on all keyboards now, and they work. There is a new key for Windows Vista's Gadgets. But, since I am not running Windows Vista on this particular system yet, I won't be able to use it! ;)

All in all, this is a good quality keyboard.

The keys are easy to use, and they provide reasonable feedback. The ergonomic curve of the keys is good, especially for me. I am able to keep my hand-wrist-arm quite straight, which really eases the stress on the wrists for extended periods at the keyboard.

All in all, I will recommend this keyboard product to our clients who request ergonomic keyboard references.

Philip Elder
MPECS Inc.
Microsoft Small Business Specialists