Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth

I like the feel of the mouse and the keyboard, BUT I didn't like the idea that I could only use bluetooth to connect the keyboard and the mouse (I have a PocketPC that I like to sync over BT as well). The supplied transceiver doesn't support anything but the keyboard and mouse. HOWEVER... I have Belkin's USB bluetooth transceiver which works great. Install the Belkin device and then add the mouse and keyboard as HID devices (this might not be obvious... Use the Bluetooth setup wizard from "My Bluetooth Places". Everything will work, except you won't have access to the special keys on the keyboard. If you want that as well as battery level tracking, go ahead and install the mouse and keyboard software from the CD included with the keyboard, except: ignore the message about deinstalling existing Bluetooth software and cancel the install when it asks you to connect the supplied MS Bluetooth transceiver. At this point, the keyboard/mouse software has been installed and you don't need the MS bluetooth stuff anyway. In the end, the install takes about 15 min and everything works as it should. PLUS, the belkin transceiver works with everything, including the PocketPC. Read more

I have had this keyboard for over 6 months and am very disappointed. My first one simply stopped working. Microsoft replaced it without a fight. The second one is now having problems such as the space bar putting in two spaces instead of one. This is a real hassle when you realize how often you use the space bar. The range on the bluetooth is limited and that causes some problems. Sometime it doesn't work even though are only inches away. The mouse is has the biggest problem with distance. The keyboard seems to shut itself off if it isn't used for a few minutes. Then you type and nothing happens for about 20 keystrokes. That is anoying and time consuming. Finally, it took quite a while to get this to work with the built-in bluetooth transmitter for Dell. It works but it took hours to get it working. Who wants a bid Microsoft transmitter sticking out of your computer when you already bought a computer with it built in? The keyboard has lots of nice features but the downsides are simply too many. I will be replacing this keyboard soon with something else, even if I have to go back to a wired model. Read more

It's very simple: if you want a great wireless desktop solution, but don't give a hoot about Bluetooth connectivity, this is the product for you. If you want to ever connect to anything else via Bluetooth, don't even think about it. I have done hours of Googling looking for a solution to this problem, but have come up with the same result everywhere I go: the Microsoft BT dongle is virtually useless outside of communicating with the mouse and keyboard (and maybe a printer). It seems that many people have had to buy a BT dongle from a 3rd party and throw away the Microsoft dongle. I feel extremely betrayed by Microsoft's claims of connectivity with this set-up. I just bought a Sony Ericsson T616 with BT, and can't use it with my computer. If you want to connect a phone, don't buy this product!!! Read more

I used to have the problem of periodically losing contact with the devices, requiring the attachment of a wired keyboard and mouse, and detecting and reinstalling both devices. Since updating to XP SP2 this no longer appears to be happening, making these device more acceptable. Read more

The benefits are obvious - product maker usually mentions them in their summaries/reviews. So I'll just stick to two negative aspects of this. First of all, this keyboard and mouse eat through batteries like there's no tomorrow! I use them at work and go through 4 AA batteries every month or so. Secondly, the response time between me moving the mouse and cursor moving on the screen could use improvement. There's a tiny delay, especially if you haven't touched the device in a few minutes - maybe a second or two (but still feels weird/unnatural). Also, once in a while (but very rarely) it gets stuck sending a signal to the PC and while I'm in the middle of typing a "k" it'll keep printing "kkkkkkkk..." for a while, until I hit some other key or take out the batteries. Otherwise, this is a good product. And with an unlimited supply of batteries at work, I'm very happy with it. Read more

I find this combo excellent once you've updated the drivers just as you need to do with all computer hardware,microsoft is very good at supporting their in-house products and this is no exception. I had the Intellimouse Explorer mouse for two years and it started having problems,I called MS and they only asked for was it's serial number and sent a new updated mouse replacement without question albeit it took a month. Bluetooth tech is still developing and needs updating,if your a computer savvy geek and want leading edge equipt like this combo,go for it..I give it for 5 stars. Read more