Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000

I purchased the MS Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 to replace an older MS Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 v2 that was seeing quite a bit of wear and whose right mouse button had stopped working after about 2 years. I enjoy the slight curve that Microsoft used on both models but I prefer the key response and overall feel of the new 5000. The only problem I have with the keyboard is the very small and recessed function and Esc. keys. I have no idea why most new keyboards are going to this smaller style of function keys but I wish they'd rethink it as it slows me down a bit. I do a decent amount of [esc] + [special character] functions as a UNIX systems administrator and this keyboard took some getting use to.The mouse is just average. It works well, but since it is ambidextrous it is not the most comfortable mouse ever. It does track and respond well which is probably more important.I have had no issues with the wireless response of this desktop set, but I never move them more than 3 or 4 feet from the transmitter. For reference, I use this desktop set for work only, so no gaming stats from me. I have a G15 and G500 at home for that purpose.Oh yeah. I should also mention that the first desktop set I received from Amazon had a faulty mouse wheel. Amazon's RMA policy is very good however, and they shipped me a new set and a pre-paid return shipping label at no charge.

This is a great set, well-priced in this category. The construction of the keyboard and mouse is great, and the blue LED mouse (the mouse is a class 1 LED) is my all-time favorite. I actually had the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 before this, but the USB transmitter broke. This is definitely the Achilles' heel of these sets. Although the transmitters are nicely compact, they are, in my opinion, fragile. DO NOT DAMAGE THE TRANSMITTER. There is NO REPLACING IT. Somehow, these transmitters are married to the set with which they come. This means there is no replacement part; I've looked, A LOT. If you're using this in a desktop application, you will (probably) not find the transmitter easily damaged.One of my favorite things about this set is the great range. I like to hook my laptop to my TV and utilize its HDMI output for movies and surfing the internet on the TV. I've never really tested the range, but I can definitely say it's around the range of an Xbox 360 controller (if that helps). Additionally, since it's not infrared, you don't need a clear line of sight to the transmitter. So, you can hide the transmitter on a back port of a desktop; or, use the mouse under covers as you control your computer, and meanwhile view it all via your TV. Anyway, you can tell I enjoy this set, and I would recommend it to anyone in the market for a new keyboard and mouse. (in spite of said transmitter fragility).Last, the battery life is AWESOME. It seems pretty rare that I have to replace the batteries in either the keyboard or the mouse. Also, they let you know when the batteries are dying by slowly pulsing a red led in an unobtrusive way and place.I think it's a great purchase for home or office, and it would make a great gift. Enjoy what may be the best mouse you've ever owned! (And a great keyboard, too!)EDIT: I originally stated that the mouse was a class 1 laser product; this was incorrect. It is a class 1 LED product. My apologies.

I LOVE this set. Seriously awesome keyboard. It's super comfortable I forget I'm using it. I'm also long past the days of burning my palms on the cramped palm rest of my laptop which only overheated it further.The palm rest of the keyboard is plastic, in case that's not obvious from the picture, I thought it was cloth at first. It's very easy to clean and in the same vein, it gets greasy or dirty from sweat/food, so it does require some upkeep.It has more "hot keys" you could ever use, I don't even use any of them, except for the volume control (+/-, mute) and the calculator but it has other endless options so that you don't have to make too many clicks to get simple things such as emails done.The mouse is not as bad as some people have made it out to be. Yes, it's not the most advanced or ergonomically designed, but it is comfortable and gets the job done no problem. If you need any more precision, shell out the big bucks for a gaming mouse, otherwise this is perfectly acceptable for average Photoshop and video/audio editing work use among other things. The mouse and keyboard both run on AA batteries.The wireless adapter is a small piece of plastic that tucks into the underside of the mouse when not being used (very convenient because it is easy to lose as it is small and dark colored). It is plug and play, so set up is very quick and I have not had any problems with the wireless connection, the mouse and keyboard never 'disappear' on the computer unless they are low on battery.