Logitech MK710 Keyboard/Mouse - 1 year of use.

[Allan]

Over the last few years - 2006 onwards - I've owned several wireless keyboard and mice combos. The Logitech LX700, MX3000 Laser, Wireless Wave.

Last July 2010, I bought the MK710 because it claimed an impressive 3 YEAR life span. The mouse was also very comfortable looking and had all the buttons I liked (plus more!)

So one year later, I decided to see how the batteries lived up to their claim, how the keyboard and mouse are holding up, and my 'final thoughts' so to speak. So lets begin.

Keyboard

The build quality is great, as usual with Logitech products. The keys have a nice sound to them, quiet but not silent. They are NOT chicklet (I personally DO NOT like chicklet keyboards, hence why this one is ALWAYS plugged into my laptop when at home) but the keys are also not 'traditional'. Instead, they are slightly rounded which gives a nice feel to them.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2eb91md.jpg

Also, unlike my LX700, the letters haven't 'worn off' even after frequent use. The MK700 had 8 or 9 letters totally worn off after 2 months use. This keyboard only has 3 partially worn letters, and they are the "E" "A" and "D" (E as most know, is the most used letter.)

http://i55.tinypic.com/2gvk75c.jpg

There are 6 media keys - Fast Backward, Play/Pause, Fast Forward, Mute, Volume Down, Volume Up. They work adequately and after a few days use, I found I wasn't looking for them, just feeling them out.

The Function (F1-F12) keys all have 'added' features, that I hardly use. The only other notable key is the "calculator" key, just above the number pad, which is also used very very often by me.

The LCD Panel is 'nice' to have, but I hardly use it, as it needs a light to be visible. (It is NOT backlit). I have a halogen lamp on my desk, that does an adequate job of lighting up the panel.

Keyboard Photos:

http://i53.tinypic.com/24g8w3t.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/v44iv9.jpg

The Mouse:

The mouse is a very nice mouse to use. Right handed only, sorry. It has 9 buttons. 1 for physical control, 8 for software control.

Top has Left, Right, Wheel Button (press), and left/right tilt, then there is the square button that changes the wheel from 'click scroll' to 'fluid scroll'. Basically, using Fluid Scroll, one can scroll the length of a single website in a second or less with a single swipe on the wheel.

http://i51.tinypic.com/25tgsaa.jpg

Left side has front/back buttons, and a 'hidden' button under the thumb (see the pic, the yellow line). As with all Logitech mice, each key can be reporgramed via Setpoint, and I have this key set to 'Reset Zoom".

The side also it a textured rubber feel, and the ONLY small problem I've found, is a 'hold' under the texture right where my thumb rests. It's kind of like Logitech wanted to 'save weight' or something, and there's just deal space.

http://i51.tinypic.com/25tgsaa.jpg

Right side has more rubber, this time not textured, and a bit of a 'rib' where your pinky finger could sit, if you chose it to.

http://i56.tinypic.com/2e49rpz.jpg

Back/Front nothing special. Just your typical curved feels.

http://i51.tinypic.com/4fwbpv.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/2r7x9ow.jpg

Bottom of the mouse has an off/on switch, laser hole, and battery cover. Under the battery cover, is space for 2 AA batteries, and the "unifying" receiver to be housed.

http://i55.tinypic.com/5yvxvs.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2rxi7ad.jpg

Do the batteries last 3 years?

Well, so far as I can tell, I SHOULD get 3 years use out of the batteries. I would say the mouse/keyboard are turned on about 8-12 hours a day, depending on what I'm doing. (I turn them off when I go to sleep, and when I go out of the house.)

The following pic shows the ORIGINAL batteries I installed in July 2010. I realize, you only have my word to go on, but, it's an honest word.

http://i53.tinypic.com/wbtdlh.jpg

Conclusion:

This keyboard and mouse are very well designed, are easy to use, and the fact that they seem to have a 3 year battery life is amazing. I'll probably replaced the keyboard/mouse before I do the batteries!

The fact that the letters have remained on far longer then any of my previous Logitech (and Microsoft) keyboards is also a sign that Logitech is using a new method for applying the lettering.

Overall, I'd rate the keyboard a 9/10.