Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 (Light Silver)

Manufacturer : Microsoft In Stock : 5 List Price: $299.99 Price: $233.99 You Save: $66.00 (22%) Quantity : 1 2 3 4 5

Features

• 2.4 GHz Bluetooth Technology - Connect wirelessly right out of the box with First Connect Technology for up to 30 feet with virtually no interference
• Battery Status Indicator - Know when power is low and battery life is running out
• 4 USB Ports - Flexibility to download images from your digital camera or plug in your thumb drive or other USB device, right from your desktop
• Rechargeable Mouse - A battery status indicator flashes when batteries need recharging
• 4-Way Scrolling - Scroll four ways for greater efficiency and comfort with Tilt Wheel Technology

Product Description

The 69Y-00001 Entertainment Desktop 8000 Keyboard and Mouse Set for Windows Vista and PC entertainment make it easier than ever to control PC media from your desk, your lap or even from the comfort of your couch. The charging hub allows you to recharge both the mouse and keyboard in one easy-to-use place. Click the scroll wheel button to instantly display your open windows, then point and click to select. High Definition Laser Technology - Microsoft High Definition Laser Mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking Magnifier - Point and click to enlarge and edit detail using the Magnifier Brushed Aluminum The sleek, symmetrical design features an authentic brushed aluminum that feels as good as it looks Intelligent Power System - Adjust battery life depending on performance needs Navigation Pad - Command your PC from your lap or the comfort of your sofa with the integrated cursor control Windows Start Button - Press to launch your Start menu and search your PC or the Web if you have Windows Vista installed Compact Industrial Design - Reduces clutter on your desk, fits on your lap and complements your flat screen monitor Gadgets Button - One-touch access to weather information, news updates, traffic maps and slide shows of online photo albums Ultra-thin Keyboard - Experience true comfort with the ultra-thin Comfort Curve keyboard plus quiet touch keys Intelligent Backlighting - Comes on automatically when you approach the keyboard and turns off when you're away, saving valuable battery life Media Controls - Allow you to easily navigate to next track, previous track, play, pause and volume control My Favorites Hot Keys - Access the folders, files, and Web pages you use most

Amazon.com Product Description

The ultimate rechargeable keyboard and mouse for Windows Vista and PC entertainment, the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 is designed to make it easier than ever to control PC media from your desk, your lap--or even from the comfort of your couch.

Desktop Features
The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 is the first ever rechargeable mouse and backlit keyboard solution. Microsoft's exclusive charging hub allows you to recharge both the mouse and keyboard in one easy-to-use place.

A charging hub attaches to the keyboard when needed and allows you to recharge both the keyboard and mouse.

Meanwhile, 2.4 GHz Bluetooth technology allows you to connect wirelessly right out of the box using "First Connect Technology" from up to 30 feet away with virtually no interference. Give yourself room to move; wireless mouse and keyboard products let you work without worrying about tangled wires. Plus, you'll know when power is low when the battery status indicator senses battery life is running out. An intelligent power system adjusts battery life depending on performance needs.

Integrated USB ports in the charging station give you the flexibility to download images from your digital camera or plug in your thumb drive or other USB device--right from your desktop. You'll also appreciate intelligent backlighting on the keyboard, which comes on automatically when you approach the keyboard and turns off when you're away. Backlit keys only glow when the lights are low, saving valuable battery life.

Mouse Features
The sleek, symmetrical design of the mouse features an authentic brushed aluminum that feels as good as it looks. Meanwhile, 4-way scrolling lets you scroll four ways for greater efficiency and comfort with tilt wheel technology. You'll also enjoy high definition laser technology; Microsoft high definition laser mouse products are more precise, more responsive, and deliver smoother tracking.

Too many open items on your desktop? Click the scroll wheel button to instantly display your open windows, then point and click to select. You can also point and click to enlarge and edit detail using the Magnifier.

Keyboard Features
In addition to intelligent backlighting, the keyboard features a navigation pad that lets you command your PC from your lap or the comfort of your sofa with integrated cursor control. The keyboard lets you place your hands naturally and work comfortably using a distinctive and ergonomist-approved "Comfort Curve" design with quiet touch keys. The sleek design of the keyboard reduces clutter on your desk, fits on your lap, and complements your flat screen monitor

There's also a Windows Start button; press it to launch your Start menu and search your PC or the Web if you have Windows Vista installed. Meanwhile, you can use the Windows Live call button to access your Windows Live Messenger buddy list; then select an Online Contact and start a video conversation. Use the Windows Gadgets button to gain one-touch access to gadgets such as weather information, news updates, traffic maps and slide shows of online photo albums.

Media Controls allow you to easily navigate to your next track, previous track, play, pause and volume control, while the Windows Media Center start button gives you instant access to your digital media. Lastly, you can access the folders, files, and Web pages you use most with one-touch "My Favorites" Keys.

What's in the Box

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 3.50 out of 26 reviews

Rating :
Nice but not quite right - zChaz, May 14, 2008

This model has some issues.
First is that the Bluetooth USB device is finicky with my BIOS. I own a Dell XPS and this item worked fine for several weeks, but when I upgraded the BIOS the OS would freeze on the splash screen. After several weeks on the phone with Dell I decided to roll back the BIOS myself -since the problem correlated with the upgrade. It fixed the problem but now I'm stuck with a BIOS I can't upgrade.
Second is the battery situation. These are chewing through new batteries at a rate that exceeds KB&M that don't have a recharging station. It's annoying that the whole purpose of me getting this set was to avoid this very thing. I'd easily consider it might be my particular set, but since I have 3 sets on 3 different computers... and that they all have this problem... yeah.
The third problem is trivial but a little annoying. The KB is supposed to light up when you use it and fade out when you're away from it. It's hit or miss but the only time I ever take notice is when I'm gaming (in the dark of course) and I can't see the keys. I should look to see if there is a key to turn the lights on, otherwise I hope they fix this on the next model.
Fourth is where the engineers decided to plug the power into the docking station cord. It's only a few inches from the docking station which creates this knot where the cord splits into a power cord and a USB cord. Aside from it being ugly, it always catches on edge of my desk when I need to connect the station to my KB since the charge doesn't last too long (see problem #2).
Lastly, the middle mouse wheel is hideous. It takes way too much pressure to push down on if you need to use it for middle-clicking. I use several 3D programs that require a middle click feature, so I'm now having to use another USB mouse when I work in a program that requires it.
Overall this thing is built for the casual computer user and looks really, really nice (surprising in spite of the power cord knot and that MS rarely manufactures aesthetically appealing products)... anyone creating 3D art should look for something better suited for more-than-casual-use, especially if a middle-click feature is required to operate your software or game.
Cheers.
Oh, if you need to access your BIOS then keep an old fashioned KB&M nearby since none of the keystrokes on the 8000 register until the OS loads.


Rating :
Very Nice Keyboard - S. Lockhart, May 08, 2008

I have enjoyed this keyboard for the past couple of months. I did have one issue with the rechargeable battery expanding and warped the right side of the battery compartment. I called Microsoft technical support and they shipped out a whole new keyboard within a week. This keyboard does take a little to get use to, but after typing on it for awhile, you will love it. The lit keys are perfect. I have had no trouble with the keyboard waking up like I have seen in some reviews. The key size is perfect even for all size fingers. The battery life for me has been a couple of days, but of fairly decent use. But why complain, you slide it under the charger and continue typing while it charges, so no issue at all.

The looks of the keyboard too are a big advantage. It looks great on the desk and does not have that bulky look of a regular keyboard.

The mouse is pretty good too. I am de-activating the magnifier button because I seem to want to click it (it's on the right) but other than that, it is comfortable to the hand. And again, it is rechargeable and has a really long life before charges. I have been averaging over a week per charge.

Would I purchase this keyboard again, definitely!



Rating :
Best Wireless Keyboard - J. Stivers, Apr 21, 2008

Keyboard and mouse responses are better than expensive Logitech duo which now has been consigned to downstairs computer. Microsoft curved keyboard is comfortable and the layout of the keys is excellent despite deviating from more traditional layouts. If you work in a darker area, the backlighting is a blessing. Haven't ever run out of battery life and recharge only weekly. The additional USB ports in the charging station are welcome and handier than those on the PC. Don't understand the negative performance/quality comments of others. Recommend this product without reservation.


Rating :
Very pretty, but not up to daily use. - N. Catalfamo, Apr 05, 2008

To make a long story short. I love this keyboard, it's light compact fairly well laid out.

My problem is with simple durability. I have already been through two units , and I'm giving up. The first unit lasted about 6 weeks before the paint was worn clean off the A and S keys from simple daily use. And I am not a dirty individual, so this wasn't a case of abuse, just simple not a durable enough paint on the keyboard. I got a replacement unit from Microsoft, which lasted about a month before the exact same thing happened.

Now to add on top of that, the keyboard won't wake up sometimes from it's sleep mode without resyncing it via bluetooth. And now the batteries in the keyboard seem to be acting up, only lasting about 4 hours before I need to recharge them, this is without even light to moderate use.

In addition the replacement mouse they sent just won't charge. It begins to charge and then starts to blink red after about 5 minutes.

All in all I've had enough. The keyboard looks great, but has some serious flaws to be used as a normal daily use desktop set. Especially for a $300 keyboard! My only other complaint, may not bother most people, but for someone who works with with Linux machines it does. The Insert key is not a dedicated key on the keyboard, but one you have to access through use of a function key. So a simple task like a paste in a telnet client, which you need to use shift+insert, since cntl+c is reserved, now requires a 3 keystroke juggle to accomplish a simple task.

Better luck next time Microsoft. Better paint and quality control might have saved this keyboard. But until the flaws are resolved, it's an expensive piece of pretty equipment that doesn't hold up it's end of the bargain.


Rating :
Not what I expected based on all the hype by microsoft - DJ, Mar 24, 2008

I was disappointed with this product because it appears to be cheaply made and the screw lock (which is also plastic) broke when I put the batteries into the keyboard. The mouse works fine...as well as the one I had for years and it does scroll much faster than my other one. It has more functions but I have not explored these yet. The backlighting for the keyboard is okay but I usually have a fairly strong light on when working on my computer. I miss the little "legs" that my other keyboards had for a more comfortable angle for typing and the biggest drawback was the length of time it took for me to become accustomed to the placement of the keys on this keyboard but that may have been just me. I also have not yet taken the time to explore the "extras" that this keyboard offers as far as bells and whistles but I will eventually get around to it. I waited a long time for this model to be released for sale by microsoft but I'm not as "excited" as I thought I'd be when I finally received it but I think this is partly because the battery door lock broke right out of the box and the differences experienced when actually trying to type at my normal speed. The magnifier is one cool bell on this keyboard and I like the silver better than basic black. I ultimately think I will be glad I made this purchase but had I paid full price I would have been disappointed. I was able to order for much less from seller other than microsoft and it was new in original box so it was worth the price I paid.

Return to Wireless Keyboard Guide
Return to Recommended Products