Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000

Pros: I havent purchased it, but I wanted to say somthing that it doesnt list unless you look at the picture of it. This is an AZERTY keyboard layout, this is a pro for people who are used to AZERTY.

Cons: This is an AZERTY layout keyboard, people used to QWERTY will most likely have a very difficult time adjusting to the different key placements.

Pros: Pretty cool little keyboard and mouse.

Built-in USB hub is a nice touch.

Automatic backlight is slick.

Good range, good response.

Mouse is flawless.

Rechargeable batteries are included.

Drivers installed perfectly in Vista.

Cons: Batteries die pretty quickly. My other Microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse last over a year before needing batteries. This lasts only a few days before needing charged.

I cannot get the "trackpad" on the keyboard to work properly. It is VERY unresponsive, and seems to work when it wants (which is rarely).

Other Thoughts: $273 is a LOT to pay for a keyboard and mouse, and I don't think this set is worth it. Priced at around $100 it would be a much better deal.

Pros: a real beauty just got this as a gift an its wonderful keyboard an mouse

Cons: i have none

Other Thoughts: i see where some say about paint peeling but on mine it appears micrsoft has resolved this issue with better paint

Pros: nice keyboard, just like a laptop keyboard

Cons: very little info on troubleshooting and need of an update on software right out of the package for Vista!

Other Thoughts: read the description carefully! I have a windows XP MCE desktop with 2 GB ram and plenty of hard drive space, but the install stops when it does not find "high speed USB 2.0 ports" on my computer I have just regular USB 2.0 ports I guess and I have no way to raise them besides buying a new system i guess. Any answers out there?

Pros: Comfortable, light weight, touch pad on the keyboard, very mobile. I have found nothing to be wrong with this keyboard and mouse. I feel that I have the best wireless setup that there is right now. I have had mine for over a year and have had none of the problems that the other reviewers have had. Not saying that they're lying, but if you hate Micro$oft (Linux or Apple elitests) as a company you aren't going to like anything that they offer. I use this for my media center at home and would hate to have any other keyboard and mouse. The light weight makes it easy to sit it in your lap and the mouse functions great on almost any surface. It is pretty tough too. My daughter stepped on it one day and did no damage whatsoever. The 4-port hub is nice, but I forget it is there. The batteries that came with it haven't been replaced, and I have owned it for over a year.

Cons: I will say that they bluetooth usb adapter that it comes with is not the greatest. I had it plugged into the back of my pc for a while and that gave me a few problems because I was sitting a bit far away. I wound up breaking the bluetooth reciever on accident when I turned my pc on it's side and forgot it was plugged in. I bought a new third party reciever and now it works even better.

Other Thoughts: There is only one or two things that I can see that would make this product better.
1) A better bluetooth reciever for those of us who us our televisions as the monitor because we sit further away than normal.
2) If only I could find it in black. Imagine all black with blue backlights.

Buy it. There is nothing wrong with this. It did take a few days to get used to the rather large G and H keys, but its made that way for a reason.

Pros: I don't really need to list the Pro's, other people did an appropriate job at that. The keyboard is AWESOME to type on, but you might not really feel that way if you use it sparingly, and not until you really get used to it, which actually takes a couple months to love the keys and the feel and the spacing. You know all about the little gadgets and features, they rock.

Cons: Alright, so it is missing a sleep button that is true, big deal.
I only really have 2 complaints...
1) The metal "Microsoft" name on the mouse isn't even metal, its like foil, half of that fell off the first DAY. I just took it all off the 2nd day I owned it and have not worried about it since. The older version of this mouse (which I had) before they made the keyboard set, had the name etched in... didn't look as good but it obviously can't fall off.
2) My biggest complaint was the batteries. The charging lasted fine until about 2 months ago, I had to buy new batteries for both the keyboard and mouse as they would no longer hold a charge. This is actually quite expensive, close to $20 (you have to buy 8 as 4 isn't enough) Turns out the Energizer batteries that come in it are not as good as the comparible Duracell ones they sell are. Shame shame MS we should have got the best batteries included at this price. My keyboard and mouse last longer than they did when they were new n

Other Thoughts: As far as the number pad, you knew it when you bought it, how can you give a review a bad score for a feature you KNEW it didn't have? If that feature is important to you, then yes, this keyboard is NOT for you. I personally find that I actually don't need it near as often as I thought I would miss it. So it makes the keyboard lighter and smaller.
Now onto the paint flecking ... I have a little bit of the silver paint coming off my C key. Sure it doesn't look great, but I type the living hell out of this thing every single day for over a year now (yes a YEAR, not a week or a day or however else ridiculously fast you other people write your reviews).

Pros: Good ergonomic design although I would have preferred a bigger wrist rest on the keyboard and more of a slope towards me from the back to the front.
Neat features that work well with Vista (& beyond?).
Great that the recharging station gives you extra USB outlets.

Cons: This is made in China and obviously the quality control there is not the best. The function keys will "function" if you hover your hand over them which can sometimes be very off-putting.
Heavily used key characters wear off very quickly (3 months) leaving one with clear plastic see through keys! (Which then makes the backlight feature rather blinding & I hope that paint does not contain lead). Microsoft exchanged the set for free but the same happened with the replacement.

Other Thoughts: Despite the above I would buy it again for the convenient features and compact design. But this time I would put pieces of invisible tape over the heavily used keys, in my case Enter, A, S, E, R and T.
Strangely the spacebar kept its finish.

Pros: Keyboard has a nice feel. Bluetooth implementation is superb - no dropped or spurious characters or phantom mouse movements.

Cons: Keyboard: the ESC, FN and Home/End keys are "touch sensitive" which is horrid. You can accidentally hit esc just by hovering your hand near it. No prop for the keyboard so it stays utterly flat - wears you out if you are typing a lot.
Mouse: The contacts for the battery suck. You have to jostle the battery in order to get it to charge otherwise it won't charge! Microsoft does not acknowledge the issue although it is rampant - just google "lasermouse 8000 blinking red charging" and you will see what I mean.

Other Thoughts: An OK choice for an PVR/DVR box but I would avoid it otherwise.

Pros: Keyboard shape--slightly curved but flat. I find it more comfortable than ergonomic keyboards or regular ones. I also like the feel and the spring of the keys.

Cons: Several cons: 1) the keyboard can take a long time to "wake up" and that is really annoying when you start typing and nothing shows on the screen; 2) the backlight is actually a disadvantage because it reduces the visibility of the letter on the key--though it increases the visibility of the key itself, which is not needed; 3) where is the number keyboard??? 4) it has a place to show the keyboard charge level but not the mouse until the mouse is out of juice and you have to drop everything until it charges... why not show the charge level for the mouse too? 5) the charger is a bit odd in size and shape and I have to rearrange things on my desk to charge the keyboard.

Other Thoughts: The very reasons why I got the system are not the advantage of the thing at all. I also had to have Microsoft replace it once because nothing was working on it. The good thing is that Microsoft REALLY went out of its way to replace it on the spot and in 2 days I had a fresh set! That was service! Highly unexpected from Microsoft!

Pros: This keyboard is a revolutionary keyboard. Bluetooth techknology makes wireless keyboards and mouses seem like a good idea. Wireless and back light?? who knew. Navigation pad sounds like a gimmic, I now use all the time. The keys are nice and gentle. Keyboard is extreamly comfortable. This keyboard makes web-surfing, programing, editing, and all this entertainment related just easier and more appealing.

Cons: This is a very expensive key-board, the only reason that i own it is because my friend had an extra one and sold it to me for only $75. The installing can be a hassle if you are not good with computers. The keyboard is different then any keyboard i have seen, thus taking time to get used to. When the keyboard and mouse are in the docking station you may have to ajust the position for it to charge. The mouse is not the most spectacular mouse... doesnt even compair to the keyboard but it has some fetures that are rather appealing.

Other Thoughts: This is a great keyboard and gets my recommendation for all people that spend time windows media center, or just web-surfing. Reccomended to buy on bidding web-site(they range between 140-170). If you are not a fan of bidding web-sites, buy the Microsoft 7000. It is almost the same keyboard, just no lighting or stuff like that and the fact that its about half the price... GAMERS, I have my Saitek Ecplips II keyboard and my G5 mouse right next to me. The keyboard and mouse can be used no problem for RPGs and MMOs. But for all you FPS gamers you can not make this your gaming keyboard. Nothing beats a good wird keyboard when it comes to FPS.