Testing the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard with Windows 7
As part of an opportunity that came through the MVP program, Microsoft recently provided me with a Microsoft Wireless Comfort Keyboard 5000 and wireless mouse to test with Windows 7. I set it up on one of my primary computers, the Dell XPS.
Setup for basic use couldn’t have been any easier. I popped two AA batteries into the keyboard and two more into the mouse, plugged the very tiny USB stick into a port on the USB hub on my desk, listened for the familiar “kerplunk” to tell me Windows had found a USB device, and started typing. There was no need to sync anything; both keyboard and mouse worked immediately.
The keyboard is slick and thin, with a slight ergonomic curve to the layout of the keys. Some people may be bothered by the lack of fold-out feet (it comes with snap on feet you can use if you want to angle it). Since I never use the feet, it doesn’t matter to me. One thing that I would change is the noise factor. It’s very “clacky.” I know some people like that sound feedback but I prefer the strong, silent keyboard type.
The keyboard I’ve been using for the past six to eight months (and which I love) is a Microsoft Laser 6000 wireless, and this one is similar to it in many ways, as you can see in the photo comparing the two below (the Comfort 5000 is on the bottom).
One difference, from which the Comfort 5000 derives its name, is the thicker padded section at the bottom for resting your palms. It feels nice, but the little criss-cross etching in it (presumably to give it a quilted look) catches little flecks of dust and dirt, making it more difficult to keep clean. The extra keys are almost identical, except that the Laser 6000 has a couple that the Comfort 5000 doesn’t – but the 5000 has something special of its own: a battery life indicator. Both have the keys that I use most: email (new, send, reply and forward) keys, calculator key, volume and media keys (rewind, fast forward, play, pause). Some of these keys (the large keys across the top row that include one to open Outlook, one to open IE, zoom, volume and media keys) work without installing any software.
For the smaller buttons on the second row to work, you have to install the Intellitype Pro 7.0 software that comes with the keyboard. These keys include back and forward keys, Open New Document, Open and Close File, email functions, Spell Check, Save, and Print. When you install the software, you have to pick your keyboard and mouse model from a list. Luckily, the model numbers are on the undersides of the devices. Note that the Laser Mouse 5000 and the Wireless Mouse 5000 are not the same thing, so keep on scrolling until you find the latter.
I made the mistake of trying to use the mouse during the installation, and an error message popped up, saying Setup must close (shown below). Oops. Keep your hands off it until the software is finished installing.
On the second try, Setup skipped over the keyboard portion and went straight to the mouse installation. This time it completed successfully. After you install the software, you’ll be asked to join a feedback program.
With the software installed, two new items appear in your All Programs menu: Microsoft Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse. Now you can configure a number of keyboard properties as shown in the screenshot below.
You can change the key assignments and program the custom keys (numbered 1 through 5). You can also fine-tune the speed, repeat rate and delay and set the zoom speed.
Features are fine, but the real test is working with it on a daily basis. From what I can tell so far, it’s reliable (a wireless keyboard that I recently got rid of would skip characters on a regular basis – even when I typed them very deliberately and individually). I like that it uses regular AA batteries; some keyboards use AAAs, which are slightly harder to find and often cost more. If the Laser 6000 is any indication, it should get good battery life; I’ve been using the latter for more than half a year, for many hours per day, and have never had to change the batteries.
One quibble (and it’s a minor one) is that some of the keys are too small and “sunken in” too far, making it hard to press them. That’s especially true for the PRTSCN key, which I use a lot. Its position, size and height could be better.
Warning: You can get spoiled if you use the special keys a lot. Now I miss them when I work on my laptop or have to use some other computer with a keyboard that doesn’t have them. If you take full advantage of the special keys, you may find yourself not using your pointing device much at all.
Speaking of pointing devices, the Wireless Mouse 5000 is a pretty basic optical/laser mouse that uses Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology. There is a note on the web site that says it doesn’t work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces. It does work fine on my polished wood desktop, without a mouse pad. The scroll wheel works smoothly and the two top buttons are big and easy to hit without thinking about it (unlike with some pointing devices I’ve used, which had so many buttons you had to stop and think about which one does what). The two thin side buttons are set to go back and forward by default, but you can configure them to do pretty much what you want from a long list of actions, as shown below.
You can also set the usual options: customize pointers, select pointer and scrolling speeds, display trails, set double click speed and so forth.
For years and years, my pointing device of choice has been a Kensington Expert Mouse trackball – I’m on my fifth or sixth one and I generally prefer a trackball to a mouse for most tasks. However, there are certain tasks where a mouse works better (such as drawing shapes) and I’m finding it nice to have both. The Wireless 5000 mouse peacefully coexists with the USB trackball and I can switch from one to the other easily.
The Wireless Comfort 5000 keyboard/mouse combo is available for pre-order on Amazon for $71.98 (suggested retail is $79.99). My Laser 6000 v3.0 can be had for only slightly more ($72.26 with mouse). Either one provides a good keyboard experience, but the Comfort 5000 is specifically designed to be compatible with Windows 7 -- not that I’ve had any problems using the Laser 6000 with Win7, so it really comes down to a matter of preference. Do you like the padded palm rest that’s more comfortable but harder to keep clean? Do you prefer more sound and tactile feedback from the keys? If so, the Wireless Comfort 5000 will fit the bill.
- Debra Littlejohn Shinder, MVP
deb@shinder.net www.debshinder.com
Philip Churchill - WHS MVP on October 20, 2009 at 01:54 AM
Thanks for the review Debra. Due to your recommendation I have had the Desktop Comfort 5000 courtesy of the MS Store for the last week and absolutely love it - Would defiantly recomend!
Don Small on October 20, 2009 at 01:05 PM
Hi Deb,
You overlooked an important keyboard feature in your review: status indicators for CAPS NUM and SCROLL lock. There are no lights on the keyboard nor is a software utility included to display status (such as with Logitech keyboards). I have been using the Microsoft Laser 6000 wireless keyboard for several months. While I mostly like it overall, the big nuisance is not knowing the status of NUM and CAPS lock.
Bob Sisco on October 22, 2009 at 06:27 AM
I bought this combo at staples for $49.99 am using it with windows7 ultimate. I have programed the keys and think it is great
Ricardo Rocha on February 20, 2010 at 03:57 AM
The keyboard is really nice but I'm having problems with windows 7, as the keyboard shortcut key number 1 works on it's own and keeps opening whatever website is set for "ad infinitum"! The computer eventually blocks if I'm not quick enough to close all the windows as they open. I've got the most updated drivers, so don't know what else to do!
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David Wilson on June 27, 2010 at 02:30 AM
That all sounds great. One question i have is the wireless operating distance. I need to use a keypad over 8-10m. Is this realistic with this keyboard?
David Wilson on June 27, 2010 at 02:32 AM
Hi
I have one question. What is the operating distance? I need 8-10m. Is this realistic?
Regards
Dw
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