Personal Review:
Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac
I'm writing this entry on a new Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac. This is mostly a conversation about the keyboard really. The mouse I can take or leave. Perhaps I'll write about it at a later date.
This review is not exhaustive by any means. It's simply an honest first reaction to a new product. And my first reaction? Eh. I give it a 4 on scale of 1 to 10.
The Good
The keyboard is surprisingly comfortable. I'm typically not a fan of ergonomic keyboards because they try to do too much with the ergonomics (e.g., create bulbous shaped bodies, split the space bar, etc.). However, this one actually feels very natural. The wrist rest neither too high or too low. The keys have a nice punchy spring back motion which is an subtle but important feedback mechanism for users. Also, it's got a little bit of clickety-clickety sound to the keystrokes -- makes me feel like I'm actually typing faster than I really am.
Most of the keys are in the right place for the Mac. One change they made that I love is the fact that they moved the "Help" key up and out of the way and re-arranged the buttons so that the "Delete" key is now twice as large. Mac users are more than familiar with accidentally hitting the never-used "Help" key. Nice touch, Microsoft!
The Bad
The first thing I noticed when I placed it on my desk is just how holy hell large it is. It's slightly wider (by about an inch) but nearly twice as deep front to back as the standard Apple Extended keyboard. A big reason for this is the fact that it's got all of these extra buttons arranged around the core area of the keyboard: Web, Photos, Music, Chat, E-mail, Zoom, Mute, Volume Up, Volume Down, Favorite buttons 1 through 5, Favorite "Star", Play/Pause, Stop, Rewind, Fast Forward, Calculator, Log Off and Sleep. You got that? That's TWENTY-TWO additional keys to control. That's just overkill.
Most importantly, you don't need these buttons to work efficiently on a Mac. I can already access 90% of these functions through current keystrokes. I could better understand needing these buttons on my Sony VAIO Windows Media Center where accessing these functions requires taking my hand from the keyboard. But not for the Mac. I can see how someone switching from PC to Mac might find these buttons useful. Call it a security blanket, I suppose.
Also, this particular keyboard seems to stop functioning outside of 2 feet from the receiver. I was hoping to be able to sit back and have the keyboard on my lap while working. That's not gonna happen here.
I'm not a big fan of wireless keyboards in general. I'd hate to be in the middle of tracing a problem in Actionscript and then suddenly have the keyboard die on me.
My Advice
This keyboard and mouse set goes for $90 at MacMall.com and MacConnection.com. So, it's not a bad deal when you consider that Apple's wireless keybaord and mouse combination costs $120 and only gives you one-button mouse functionality.
However, it seems this keyboard is a decent replacement if you fall under at least one of the following categories 1) you feel cramped by the Apple keyboard layout, 2) you're used to having a plethora of very specific function keys around your keyboard or 3) you need a wireless keyboard and have a direct line of site to your wireless receiver.
Otherwise, I'll just stick with my Apple Extended Keyboard and Mighty Mouse (I'm still not a big fan of the Mighty Mouse.)Digg it | del.icio.us | Add to Technorati Faves
posted by Mark Rosal at 6/25/2006 10:15:00 AM
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