Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 v3

[Skulltrail-old]

Love the mouse, not so much the keyboard.

Pretty good price. Too bad it's wireless...

[.Blaze]

Yeah, they sell the keyboard separately for US $59.99

Where do they sell them? and do they ship to the UK?

[Veedems Veteran]

Where do they sell them? and do they ship to the UK?

Amazon and Best Buy carry them here. Here's an Amazon UK link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OEM-Microsoft-Wire...8503&sr=8-7

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

amazon.ca is the worst. I was trying to find this on the Canadian counterpart (which normally has 10% of the things you need), and they don't have it, nor does ebay.ca.

Even my local hardware stores don't carry the V3 of this:

www.canadacomputers.com

www.tigerdirect.ca

www.newegg.ca

All carry the v2 of the keyboard/mouse combo, but none of them return any results about v3.

[Veedems Veteran]

I've been looking and it seems as though the v3 hasn't been released in Canada. Odd, but I can't find it for you on any Canadian site.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

I've been looking and it seems as though the v3 hasn't been released in Canada. Odd, but I can't find it for you on any Canadian site.

I find that strange, because I probably live further south then you, and Canada doesn't get something as simple as a keyboard, where across the pond the UK already has it in stock.

I was actually looking forward to a new keyboard / mouse

[shakey_snake]

I just got one of these for $30 at Staples.

[SakuraKira]

The function keys have also been redesigned with smaller individual buttons that are equally spaced between each other. This is a change I don't welcome where it seems like they've change it for the sake of change. I say this because in the previous version, and on most keyboards, function keys are grouped in sets of fours (F1-F4). This is useful because I've grown use to the habit of finding buttons by which set they are in and where they are in the set, for example F5 is the first of the second set, F12 is the last of the last set. I've been taking a few guesses at where they are with moderate accuracy, but nothing beats knowing what button it is before pressing it.

I looked at this set on the MS hardware product page, and I was curious about the function keys for exactly the reasons you mentioned. I also game, and in all of my games I set the main skillbar to use the function keys. The main reason I do this is because of the four-set-grouping that you mention. The different arrangement on this keyboard is a bit frustrating.

Thanks for the great review.

[.Gavin]

..Nice review of the keyboard.

Certainly made me want one after reading it..

Will have to take look :)

BTW, amazing quality pictures as well - What camera you using?

[rage710]

I am using a cheapy keyboard & mouse right now, I am gonna ask for this for xmas fo sho :D

Great review!

[.Blaze]

I picked up this keyboard on its own today to replace my slowly dying Wave (Crumbs and that).

At first I was suprised how quiet the keys were.

[WooSH]

I just got one of these for $30 at Staples.

+1

$30.

[Long]

..Nice review of the keyboard.

Certainly made me want one after reading it..

Will have to take look :)

BTW, amazing quality pictures as well - What camera you using?

I use a Nikon D80.

[Guest sendmarksmail]

What model did you guys get at Staples? The new one from this review or the older v2 model? $30 bucks??

[shakey_snake]

v3

[Steven P. Administrators]

I have the v2 6000 and it is the best set I've ever had for sure!

[Bugballou]

Same keyboard mouse worked well, especially with HDTV in the house. Software needs improvement though, was causing BSOD's on an old emachine and blaming in on Windows core system file. Deleted software, problem solved, No popup for low battery or custom keys but not a big deal. I Prefer the older 5.5 software and the Wireless Comfort Keyboard 1.0a and Wireless Laser Mouse 6000. It works better on the Linux box as well.

Bug

[virgo89]

Amazing pictures :)

[shakey_snake]

This middle mouse button is driving me crazy.

[crankenstein.exe]

I use that same keyboard inconjunction with the Arc mouse, very uber sexy ;)

[J400uk]

Like the look of this very much, thinking about getting a set for xmas.

Got a question, are the keys the same as this one - http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseand...ls.aspx?pid=040 ?

Reason I ask is we have that model at work and university, and its really good to type on, so if the 6000 is the same I will be getting it for sure!

[+Neowin User 007 Subscriber²]

We bought two sets of these from Office Depot and had to call Microsoft on BOTH sets for interference issue (i.e. if my mouse and keyboard are not DIRECTLY near the receiver, say a foot away, it drops the signal a LOT).

Microsoft sent out TWO brand new sets. The new ones did the exact same thing...

Great to type on and use...god do I love this set but I'm HIGHLY Disappointed with the Range. I've got it on a USB Extension cable right next to my keyboard and mouse now at the office.

[Athlonite]

I'm currently using the v2 6000 mouse and an el cheapo logitech keyboard ?i didn't see the need for buying an over 100 dollar keyboard and mouse combo but looking at those pics I'm seriously starting to think that maybe I should?

[PGHammer]

The mouse s practically a direct copy of the Logitech revolution series. wich is a good thing, much better to hold than the mouse that came with my wireless entertainment desktop 7000. I might get one of those if they sellthem separately, logitech has no BT mice I'd actually use.

Also unless you use it on a conventional desk or the tranceiver dongle is drastically improved over the one that come with the 7000. you'll want an USB extension cable since propping it behind the computer case will make the signal weak and unreliable, especially if yo uuse it at some distance like in a htpc/mediacenter.

But I do prefer the more anonymous small dongles+extension cable over the big base stations, but it should hav come with an extenseion cable.

The WLD 6500 is an improved/tweaked version of the WLD 6000, not 7000. The improved dongle premiered with the Wireless Keyboard 6000 V. 3, and is now common fare for Microsoft non-Bluetooth wireless keyboards and mice. The tuck-away feature fror the mouse dongle drives home the laptop/notebook-centric nature of the target audience (despite that, like all of Microsoft's wireless desktop products, they are equally at home at the desktop as they are at the laptop). And with the range, you shouldn't need an extender (the dongle itself is slimmer than that for the Logitech V220 Cordless Mouse; I'd know because I have two sets of the Microsoft Keyboard and Logitech mouse).

The biggest source of unreliability is that it's also next to my wireless router (Netgear WNR-3500 V1; though the issue is not Netgear-specific), RFI with multiple devices in the same frequency range is no fun (in my case, keyboard, mouse, router, and cordless phone in a neighboring room).

[retpitar]

Nice experience with Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 v3. I love the curve of the keyboard, finding it very comfortable and not as severe as other models such as the 4000. The keys have a great feel and are low profile. Very comforable. I have not experience connectivity problems other than when the batteries need to be changed. I feel bad for those who've had a bad experience but my experience has been very positive. I just bought 7 of these for my whole office!