Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 2.0
Review by Jason Jacobs on 4/21/04
Wireless Desktop Provided by Microsoft
Wireless is not really wireless with current keyboard and mouse combos. The keyboard and mouse themselves have no wires leading to the computer case, however, the motherboard still needs some way to acquire a signal from these devices. As such there is a wireless receiver which picks up the wireless signals from the keyboard and mouse and sends them to the motherboard inputs.
The receiver included with the MS Wireless Optical Desktop Pro is a small black device with two cables emitting from the rear, one each for the keyboard and mouse inputs to the motherboard. On top top, the receiver is lined with three lights and a single black button. The lights represent your Num Lock, Caps Lock, and Scroll Lock, while the black button is used to tell the receiver to look for incoming wireless signals and acquire them. The receiver has a USB keyboard plus and a standard PS/2 plug for the mouse. Its interesting to note that MS choose a USB plug for the keyboard and a PS/2 for the mouse. Also included with the MS Wireless Optical Desktop Pro is a USB to PS/2 converter for those systems and users that need such a connector.
A Word on Wireless:
Microsoft currently offers two forms of wireless products.
- Wireless using 27mhz
- Wireless using Bluetooth
Both of these options have their benefits and disadvantages. Bluetooth is a highly secure form of wireless with the ability for wireless communication at greater distances than 27mhz is limited to. Bluetooth will operate with other bluetooth device available without interference, however, bluetooth devices are much more costly than conventional wireless devices of the same type.
Wireless using a 27mhz frequency limits your keyboard and mouse to distances
of up to 6 feet from the receiver (more on this later). Wireless 27mhz devices
are also limited to 2 channels per device. This means that if you intend to
use the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Pro at a lan party with more than
one other wireless device user within 6 feet of your receiver, you will most
likely receive interference and problems. Other Wireless devices such as a
cordless phone operate within a much higher range and will not normally pose
any problems of interference.
Let's take a look at what's in the box.
| « Page 1 | Page 3» |
Shopping Matches for Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop 2.0: