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In use both the keyboard and mouse performed
admirably. The key action feels lively and responsive
and the functional and ergonomic aspects are very
well thought through. The mouse meanwhile tracked
with perfection, never once faltering unless you count
the time I drove off the edge of my mouse mat. Microsoft
tells me the optical sample rate is 6000 frames per
second which no doubt explains its ability to keep
pacfe no matter how fast I moved my hand.For the first
time in a while I think I can happily declare this
an optical mouse fit for even avid gamers. Or let
me put it another way, if you can move this mouse
fast enough that it leaves the cursor behind yet still
have the accuracy to stop dead pointing at what you
wanted to shoot at then perhaps earth technology isn't
ready for your race yet.
Initially I found it quite difficult
to turn the mouse's scroll wheel at any great speed
without accidentally pressing it and activating the
switch but as the wheel resistance eased over the
first few hours of use it became much easier. Microsoft
tell me that it's quite normal for it to take around
25 revolutions of the wheel for the lubricant to circulate
and the wheel resisitence to begin to settle down.
Conclusion
The
3DVelocity 'Dual Conclusions Concept' Explained: After
discussing this concept with users as well as companies
and vendors we work with, 3DVelocity have decided
that where necessary we shall aim to introduce our
'Dual Conclusions Concept' to sum up our thoughts
and impressions on the hardware we review. As the
needs of the more experienced users and enthusiasts
have increased, it has become more difficult to factor
in all the aspects that such a user would find important,
while also being fair to products that may lack these
high end "bonus" capabilities but which
still represent a very good buy for the more traditional
and more prevalent mainstream user. The two catergories
we've used are:
The
Mainstream User ~ The mainstream user is likely
to put price, stock performance, value for money,
reliability and/or warranty terms ahead of the need
for hardware that operates beyond its design specifications.
The mainstream user may be a PC novice or may be an
experienced user, however their needs are clearly
very different to those of the enthusiast, in that
they want to buy products that operate efficiently
and reliably within their advertised parameters.
The
Enthusiast ~ The enthusiast cares about all
the things that the mainstream user cares about but
is more likely to accept a weakness in one or more
of these things in exchange for some measure of performance
or functionality beyond its design brief. For example,
a high priced motherboard may be tolerated in exchange
for unusually high levels of overclocking ability
or alternatively an unusually large heat sink with
a very poor fixing mechanism may be considered acceptable
if it offers significantly superior cooling in return.
The
Mainstream User ~
Don't
underistimate the importance of the seemingly mundane
parts of your PC setup. Things like your keyboard,
mouse, monitor and even your chair may not make for
exciting purchases but they are far more important
to your experiences as a user than the high glitz
items. With an estimated 6 month battery life for
the average user, a claim I wasn't able to test, wireless
technology has come of age, as has the optical mouse.
No user should these days own a mouse with a ball
in it, they're simply not worth the cash you save.
I
often try to guess the street price of review items
before I look and on this occasion I overshot the
actual price by some way. With a price tag of under
£63 the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Elite
represents excellent value for money. With Christmas
coming why not treat yourself or even someone else
to a very classy piece of kit.
The
Enthusiast ~
You
may feel that all those keyboard mounted hand-holding
function buttons detract from your prowess but if
you can get past your pride you may find they're actually
a worthwhile addition, and if this keyboard can keep
working the way our Microsoft Internet Keyboards have
after all the punishment they're recieved then that's
just extra gravy.
As
for the mouse, well I've gamed with it, I've edited
images with it and Ive thrashed it around trying to
force it to drop the cursor and not once has it been
fooled. This optical mouse does everything a ball
mouse does but without the ball, and without the cord
tool!!
My thanks to Rachael and Ruth for their
help in making this review possible.
The full range:
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Wireless
Optical Desktop for Bluetooth
Get your hands on the ultimate desktop—the
most advanced cable-replacement technology
available meets sleek style and ergonomic
design. Experience programmable Hot Keys,
one-touch multimedia keys, and the power
of optical technology. The included Microsoft
Wireless Transceiver for Bluetooth® works
with your keyboard and mouse, providing
a wireless range of up to 30 feet. Bluetooth
continues to set the bar for the emerging
wireless world, so you can easily add
other compatible Bluetooth devices.
Features:
Scroll Wheel, Forward and Back Internet
Buttons, Ergonomic Design, Customizable
Buttons, Detachable Palm Rest, Enhanced
F Key Functionality, Multimedia Center,
Sleep and Log Off Hot Keys, Includes Wireless
Optical Mouse and Keyboard
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Wireless
Optical Desktop Elite
Get the ultimate in performance, style,
and comfort.
Features:
Tilt Wheel Technology, Forward and
Back Internet Buttons, Enhanced Grip,
Ergonomic Design, Customizable Buttons,
Cushioned Palm Rest, Easy Access to All
Your Favorites, Enhanced F Key Functionality,
Multimedia Center, Sleep and Log Off Hot
Keys, Complementary Keyboard Navigation
with Tilt Wheel Technology, Includes Wireless
Optical Mouse and Keyboard, Longer Battery
Life
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Wireless
Optical Desktop Pro
Transform your desktop with maximum
comfort.
Features:
Tilt Wheel Technology, Forward and
Back Internet Buttons, Enhanced Grip,
Ergonomic Design, Customizable Buttons,
Ergonomic Design Keyboard, Enhanced F
Key Functionality, Multimedia Center,
Sleep and Log Off Hot Keys, Includes Wireless
Optical Mouse and Keyboard, Longer Battery
Life
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Wireless
Optical Desktop
Experience superior performance and
style.
Features:
Tilt Wheel Technology, Forward and
Back Internet Buttons, Enhanced Grip,
Ergonomic Design, Left- or Right-Handed,
Customizable Buttons, Detachable Palm
Rest, Enhanced F Key Functionality, Multimedia
Center, Sleep and Log Off Hot Keys, Includes
Wireless Optical Mouse and Keyboard, Longer
Battery Life
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Basic
Wireless Optical Desktop
Take advantage of wireless freedom
at a great value.
Features:
Scroll Wheel, Ergonomic Design, Left-
or Right-Handed, Customizable Buttons,
Enhanced F Key Functionality, Multimedia
Center, Sleep and Log Off Hot Keys, Includes
Wireless Optical Mouse and Keyboard
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