Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave – with Mouse
Posted by Notcot on May 22, 2010 in PCs & Laptops |
Product Description
Cordless keyboard with innovative design and cordless laser mouse.
- Shaped contour of the keys comfortably cradles your fingers
- Curved layout lets you type with total comfort
- Cushioned palm rest provides extra support
- State of the art laser mouse delivers exceptional precision and control
- Non returnable
Sometimes you buy something and you wonder how you ever lived without it. This is one of those things.
If you are using a keyboard that came with your computer, you don’t know what you are missing. Buy a quality keyboard and mouse (any decent one) and give it a try – you won’t look back.
I was dead set on buying the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5500 Revolution (mouse & keyboard combination) instead, because I really wanted the MX Revolution mouse. However the MX Revolution mouse has two problems: firstly an in-built battery which (apparently – I have no personal experience of this) you cannot replace, and some people say has refused to recharge properly after a short period; and secondly (worst of all) no `document flip’ feature.
On the contrary, the mouse that comes with the Wave keyboard takes user replaceable AA (not AAA) batteries, as does the keyboard; and has `document flip’.
* Document flip *: Document flip allows you to switch between screens/documents that are open unbelievably fast. While this might seem like a gimmick, it is not – it increases productivity massively. It is just so much faster than the old method. It is selected by depressing the central mouse scroll wheel.
As a bonus, when flipping, the default (for the document that you want to flip to) is the most recently opened document. This is entirely logical – statistically, the document you want to flip to is most likely to be the one last viewed. The net effect is that you find yourself switching between screens without selecting the screen you want to go into. It is almost as if the software knows the screen that you want. This increases productivity.
Document flip is available on the keyboard too, but having it on the mouse is far more efficient. To perform a copy & paste between documents takes a 4 key combination (copy, document flip, select document to flip to, paste) – easily performed with 2 keys on the mouse (document flip, select document to flip to) and 2 keys on the keyboard (copy, paste), but awkward if using three keys on the keyboard. (I programmed the two top left large silver keys on the keyboard to `copy’ & `paste’). I never use document flip on the keyboard.
I would avoid the MX revolution mouse owing to the lack of document flip – it depends on how much you value having document flip on the mouse as well as on the keyboard.
* Tactile feedback of keys*: The tactile feedback from the keyboard and mouse is superb. I picked up my old mouse and keyboard and could not believe I ever used them – the key action is atrocious.
* Dust cover*: The keyboard comes with a solid, sturdy, clear plastic dust cover – it is extremely useful. It is actually the cover on the box – great idea.
* Transition to using an ergonomic keyboard*: I was originally put off the Wave keyboard as I thought I wouldn’t get used to the ergonomic features – that I would keep hitting the wrong keys. Surprisingly this never happened – it seems that, although it is ergonomic, it is not that different to a standard keyboard regarding where the keys actually lie.
Buy a decent keyboard & mouse (any one) with document flip – you won’t look back.
If you found this review useful, please say so – if people do, I might write reviews more often.
Rating: 5 / 5
I installed this product on my Vista PC with a minimum of fuss. I had to give permission for the installation procedure to access the Internet and I had to download one driver. Everything worked as it should, first time. The keyboard is lighter and flatter than I expected – I thought it was going to have one of those bulky rests for the wrists, but fortunately not. I particularly like the scroll wheel on the mouse, which allows you to move left and right over a document by tilting the wheel left and right. Because the novel features of the keyboard and mouse are ergonomic as much as functional, they may or may not be right for you. The unorthodox key layout will upset some people and delight others. The Home and End keys are aligned horizontally rather than vertically, which makes sense when you consider that they are most often used to go to the beginning and end of lines. The delete key is extra large, on the basis that it is frequently used. If you habitually use several different keyboards and like the keys to be always where you expect them to be, you may be irritated by these innovations. The keys are very quiet, but with a slightly spongy feel.
To know if this is right for you, you need to think about how you work. For instance, if you want a cordless keyboard so you can sit on a sofa some distance from a large screen in a games room or whatever, wouldn’t you need a trackball rather than a separate mouse? Also, are you so pushed for space that you won’t want this larger than usual keyboard? Personally, I love it. Being free of those cords has made life a lot easier.
This is not, in all honesty, a product that you really need – it is something that you might love to have. This product screams quality, from the packaging (Logitech pack their stuff well enough to withstand cataclysmic disasters, and attractively enough to make it feel like Christmas when you open it) through installation, to use. And the price is good.
Your upgrade path should be: Wait until you need a new PC, then buy one with Vista already installed (upgrading is a pain), then add this keyboard and mouse to your Amazon Wish List, a few weeks before Christmas, and start dropping hints.
Rating: 5 / 5
This works right out of the box, batteries were included, and I did not need to install any software. All of the keyboards I have used over the years were the normal, straight-key design. Until I tired this keyboard I had no idea how much stress I was placing on my wrist while typing for hours. I enjoy the natural feel of my hand position while using the Wave Set keyboard. The larger keys are much appreciated, as is the oversized delete key. No more hitting the Insert key by mistake while you are in fast type mode.
The keyboard is very comfortable to use but it is a little larger than a standard keyboard, but it does protect your wrist from fatigue. But if you have limited desk space you may need to take that into consideration. I prefer the comfort to the small amount extra desk space you lose. I feel like I am typing on an electric typewriter instead of a standard keyboard; for me that is a plus. It has increased my words-per minute. And I like that you are able to customize the F-keys on the board. This may not be a big deal but I love the convenient one-touch controls for volume and media playback. There are other buttons for photo gallery and more, but I use the volume control the most so it has come to the forefront of my attention.
The mouse that comes with the keyboard is ok. But I miss the functionality and comfort of my old Logitech mouse, and it is only a MX-700. I just got used to the many extra functions the other mouse can do. But if you have small hands you may love the mouse that comes with the set. Plus the mouse has a button control on either side of the mouse. It seems my left-handed friend loves the mouse that comes in this set.
I would have preferred a different mouse, but the lowest rating I would have given the set is 4 ½ stars; the keyboard is five stars, so overall I had to rate it a 5. Note: I have never used a split comfort board and I am running Windows XP Pro. So with that in mind I can say that I can highly recommend this keyboard.
Rating: 5 / 5
Received my keyboard and mouse today and have to say they are great. Very easy to install, software is easy to follow and there are many customisable keys with functions such as; shut down pc, open windows media player, etc, but you can choose what each button does, e.g. open files, open folders, launch programs, etc. The keyboard itself did not take long to get used to, in fact I’m using the keyboard to write this review and have yet to make a mistake whilst typing! The wave design is very comfortable and feels natural to use once you are used to the difference. Key touch is very soft and wrists are well supported with the soft wrist rest. However if you are not a fan of wrist rests you can’t remove it. The keyboard is very light which is great if you want to move with it. There are also 3 heights; flat, 4 degree angle and 8 degree angle. The mouse included is also very good. Its the first laser mouse I’ve had but it is very precise on any surface. There is a side button on each side, which is again customisable, and I’ve yet to press them accidently. Also I’m left-handed and this mouse is symetrical so can be used with either hand comfortably.
Overall the package is great I would fully recommend this product to anyone but, especially those who do a lot of typing as the keyboard is so comfortable! Well done once again Logitech!
Rating: 5 / 5
At first i was a little bit weary of spending all that money on this item, but i have to say it was one of the best things i have done. As soon as i got it out the box, it looked extremely proffesional. The keyboard and mouse have a great feel to them, and typing is quiet and comforting, and has a very comfortable palm rest.
It works straight out of the box, with simple plug and play, with the option of installing software to customize keyboard commands. It makes working easy, and playing a lot more fun!
I highly recommend this item to anyone thinking of upgrading to wireless!
Rating: 5 / 5