| Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 |
Conclusion
There are a plethora of wireless keyboard and mouse combos out there, but the WED 7000 stands out like a supermodel at a Jenny Craig seminar. Microsoft got it right with the design this time. I usually can't stand typing on laptop style keyboards, but the WED 7000 changed my mind. The mouse did its job - no less, no more. The included Bluetooth receiver also lets you connect other Bluetooth devices. The mouse retails individually for about $80. Even though the whole set is priced reasonably (street prices), it would be nice if the keyboard was available for purchase separately.
I did notice some quirks with the WED 7000, notably the touchpad. It took getting used to, but still had tracking problems at times. Another bothersome quirk was the slight delay upon boot-up. The mouse and keyboard would not respond upon startup. It took about a second for it to initialize. Once the WED 7000 was able to respond, it worked without incident, until you restart again. The last annoyance was the Bluetooth receiver. If you connect the Bluetooth receiver to the back of your computer, the wireless range decreased dramatically. I had to be within 2 feet for the WED 7000 to respond. This was a bit odd, as Bluetooth wireless technology does not require a direct line of site. Luckily, I had a USB extension cable and that fixed the issue.
While the touchpad was a big disappointment and there were other minor nuisances, this still did not detract from the overall product. It's one of the best wireless combos I've laid hands on. I can't say enough about the comfort and design. The design blends perfectly with my entertainment setup. I've been using the WED 7000 with my HTPC for a while now, and I can't see using anything else. However, the lack of a numpad is the biggest reason this won't be replacing my regular keyboard and Logitech G5 mouse on my main system. With the advent of Home Theater PCs on the rise, this is a necessary addition to your HTPC.
Pros:
Sleek design
Lightweight keyboard
Comfortable
Bluetooth receiver
Rechargeable mouse
Generous amount of programmable buttons
Cons:
Quirky Touchpad
Odd delay upon boot-up
No extension for Bluetooth receiver
Keyboard is not rechargeable
Sensor keys are too sensitive
*Note* Microsoft will be releasing the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 in a couple of months. The main difference is the slight color change, inclusion of a backlit keyboard and a rechargeable station for the mouse AND keyboard!
