Bringing My Parents into the 21st Century -- the Cordless Way
Written: Feb 25 '04 (Updated Feb 25 '04)
|
|
Pros: Cordless, Optical Mouse, Shortcut Keys on Keyboard, "Lock" Lights on Receiver, Easy to Install
Cons: Battery life may be an issue for some.
The Bottom Line: Whoooo-weeee! My parents are cordless and loving it!
|
|
|
| dlstewart's Full Review: Logitech Cordless Elite Duo¿ Keyboard And Mouse (9... |
My parents needed a new keyboard. Since I enjoy my Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical Keyboard and Mouse, I decided to purchase them a cordless keyboard and mouse. I knew they would find being cordless a joy. Logitech products have been good to me. Searching for the best cordless sale, I found a great deal on the Logitech Elite Duo Cordless Optical Keyboard and Mouse.
The Elite Duo keyboard and mouse set are almost identical to the Freedom keyboard and mouse set that I own. There are a few differences between the keyboard and the receiver, and the Elite Duo keyboard and mouse are black where the Freedom keyboard and mouse are gray.
The Keyboard
The biggest difference between the Elite Duo and Freedom sets is in the keyboard. The keys on both keyboards are easy to press and are quiet. The keyboard is traditional in the key arrangement with the Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, Page Down keys at the right. Beneath those keys are the arrow keys. Farthest right is a numeric keypad. There is no light on the keyboard to indicate whether the Caps Lock or Numeric Lock is on. (The lights are on the receiver.)
Across the top of the keyboard are the "F" keys. The neat thing about the "F" keys is that each key has a picture and one word on the key representing an action that will happen if the key is pressed. An "F" Lock key switches between the "F" key functions and the pictorial functions. Here is a list of the keys and their actions:
F1 or New E-mail
F2 or Reply to E-mail
F3 or Forward E-mail
F4 or Send E-mail
F5 or Undo
F6 or Redo
F7 or Print
F8 or Save
F9 or My Computer
F10 or My Documents
F11 or My Pictures
F1 2or My Music
The keyboard has programmable internet hot-keys along the upper left and right corners. On the left, the buttons are titled: F-Lock, E-Mail, Messenger/SMS and Webcam. Along the right corner the buttons are titled: iTouch, Search, Shopping, Favorites and My Home. A large volume control dial and mute button are centered at the top of the keyboard with Next Track, Previous Track, Stop and Play buttons for multimedia applications. At the extreme left of the keyboard is a mini scroll wheel for page navigation and a convenient "back" button to access the last viewed screen and a "go" button to visit websites.
The keyboard is also Mac or PC friendly. There are both PC and Mac icons on the keyboard keys to indicate key functions.
Another benefit is that the keyboard features Zero Degree Tilt design for comfort. They keyboard also comes with a removable palm guard. My parents decided they didn't want to attach the palm guard, which takes up desk space.
The Mouse
This cordless mouse is identical to the mouse that came with my Logitech Freedom set. The mouse fits easily and comfortably into the right hand. It has left and right programmable buttons with a wheel in the center for scrolling. A rubberized thumb button can be programmed for a variety of actions. My parents set the thumb button to "Double Click". Since the mouse is optical, there is no "ball" to clean.
The Receiver
The receiver is a small triangular unit that is 3 1/4" wide at it widest area and 3/14" long. Instead of having keyboard lights to indicate whether certain "lock" features are activated, there are several small green lights on the receiver that go "on" or "off" depending upon whether the locks are being used. The green lights go "on" when these features are activated: Cap Lock, Number Lock, F-Lock, Scroll Lock.
Going Cordless
The keyboard and mouse come with batteries that install into both units. The keyboard uses two AA batteries, and the mouse takes two AA batteries. A "receiver" comes with the set. The receiver is triangular shaped with a cord that plugs into the computer tower. The cord is split so that one part of the cord plugs into the keyboard port, and the other part of the cord plugs into the mouse port. An adapter comes with the set in case the keyboard port requires a different size connector.
After installing the batteries, "Connect" buttons needs to be pushed on each of the pieces. There is a Connect button on the receiver, the mouse, and the keyboard. As long as the mouse and keyboard are within about 6 feet of the receiver, they work. (We find we can be a bit farther away from the receiver than the recommended 6 feet.)
Software
The software comes on a CD. Insert the CD and a self-guided installation process is initiated. The keyboard and mouse set comes with iTouch software, which allows you to personalize the shortcut buttons. The buttons can be programed to run an executable file, go to an internet website, or open a menu. Programming the buttons is simple. Also, there have been no software conflicts on the computer. (My parents are using Windows ME.)
Likes
My parents could fill this review with their likes. They are cordless converts!
* The keyboard is free to move where they wish it -- no cords to bind movement
* The keyboard keys are easy to press
* The shortcut buttons are wonderful
* The pictures along the "F" keys are helpful
* The mouse is easy to use; they love the extra button and scroll wheel
Dislikes
This is a very short list. They love the Logitech Elite Duo set.
My parents use the computer a lot. Between the two of them, the computer is on all day. Mouse batteries need changing about every two to three months. The keyboard batteries last about six months. This isn't really a negative comment, but for the sake of convenience, my parents wish the batteries lasted longer. But they are on the computer easily 16 hours a day, every day of the week.
My father wishes the keyboard and mouse came in another color other than black. At first, he had some trouble adjusting from using a beige keyboard to using a black one. But now he hardly notices.
Making the Purchase
I bought the Logitech Elite Duo Cordless Keyboard and Mouse from Buy.com. The set cost $79.99 with a Buy.com $30 mail-in rebate. So the set only cost $49.99. Free shipping made this an even better offer. I placed the order and requested Standard Shipping. The package arrived within a week. Once the box was unpacked, it took maybe 10 minutes to plug in the devices, insert the batteries, install the software and start computing.
Summary
Would my parents give up their cordless Logitech Elite Keyboard and Mouse? No! Never! They love this set. Now I just have to get them to believe that their computer will play music CDs.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy your day!
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
System Requirements
** IBM compatible or Macintosh system
** USB or PS/2 ports (1 mouse / 1 keyboard)
** Windows 98, NT 4.0, 2000, ME, XP or Mac OS X
** CD Rom Drive (to install software)
** For Internet Browser: Netscape 4.0 or higher or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. Also, internet service provider. If using AOL, need AOL 4.0 or higher.
** For Multimedia: Need sound card and speakers
Package Contents
** Logitech Elite Duo Cordless Keyboard
** Logitech Cordless MouseMan Optical
** Compact USB/PS/2 RF Receiver
** USB to PS/2 adaptor
** 4 AA Batteries (which were dead when we received them)
** iTouch software and user guide on CD Rom
** Installation pamplet
This set includes a 5-year limited hardware warranty.
Please read my other reviews:
Logitech Cordless Freedom Optical Keyboard and Mouse
Logitech Mouseman Cordless Optical
Fellowes Gel Mousepad with Wrist Rest
HP LaserJet 2200dse Printer
HP LaserJet 1000 Printer
Mighty Bright Light
Dazzle 6-in-1 Multimedia Reader
Gateway 500X Desktop Computer
Belkin Home Office UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 49.99
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2008 Shopping.com, Inc.