Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 Keyboard user reviews

Pros Good materials
Ergonomic comfort
Wireless keyboard/mouse combo and BlueTrack tracking
Highly customizable

Cons Odd key shapes, including the flush function keys
Mouse grip feels tacky to the touch, non-click scroll-wheel

Summary This is my third wireless ergonomic keyboard. The others were both Logitechs and the first was the Wave Pro. I really liked it but after using the very flat new iMac keyboard, it took me a while to get used to the exaggerated wave design. The tank-like mouse was wonderful though as were the keyboard shortcuts. My second (and favorite) was the K350 with M505 mouse using their new Unifying USB dongle. I had no problem using this keyboard, the materials feel great and the layout fits my hands perfectly. Alas mouse, though good, is rather basic, and it is currently PC only.

Enter the Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000. Let me preface the following by saying it is a quality keyboard and probably worth the upgrade over your standard flat keyboard if you use it for more than and hour or two a day. It looks good, and the mouse and keyboard share the USB dongle in a manner similar to Logitech's unifying receiver so only one port is used. Battery life for both is good, though not as long as the K350's. The ergonomic curved design is easy on the hands and wrists, though the size of some of the keys is larger than standard (to fit the design) so touch typist will need some time to adapt to that. So again, the K350 edges slightly ahead. The wrist rest of the 5000 is large and comfortable and once you get used to the odd layout typing is easy and effortless. There are tons of options for customization but it is optimized for Windows 7 and some of these features are lost for Mac users. Of course, that won't bother over 90% of the buyers of this keyboard, hahah.

Something to note for those used to large function keys is that on the 5000 they are flush with the top of the keyboard, thus making them a bit harder to press. That's not a deal breaker for me, but some power users might find it annoying.

The keys feel good under my fingers and type almost silently. The odd shape of some of them would be my only complaint here. From the arrow keys all the way to the 'enter' key of the number keypad, layout is standard. I've had no problems with the wireless signal and no compatibility issues on my iMac running OSX 10.5.8.

The mouse is notable for its BlueTrack technology. I tried it on a number of surfaces and it moved the pointer around smoothly, even on my pants-leg and skin! The shape isn't back, but it is made to be used by either hand so is not really perfectly shaped for either. The textured grips on the sides have a "sticky" feel to them that I don't care for and the side buttons are very small for my hand and not easy to press properly. The tilt/scroll wheel/button works well enough, but prefer one that clicks as it moves.

You see that the 5000 is a bit of a mixed bag. There is a lot to like about this keyboard & mouse combo, but there are annoyances as well. It depends on what you are looking for to decided if any of them are deal-breakers. Overall, I am happy with the 5000 and will continue to use it. But I sure wish the Logitech K350 would work on my Mac...

Pros Keyboard is truly comfortable and enhances touch-typing. Feel and action of the keys are just right. The placement due to the curvature reduces the amount of small adjustments usually required of touch typists, so work is more accurate and less tiring.

Cons Function keys and escape keys are too small and the software reassignment of them is both pointless and frustrating. The oversize board due to the palm-rest is unnecessary. I have never found palm-rests helpful and they more often than not simply get in

Summary This is a terrific keyboard. The clunkiness due to its oversize and the pointless mouse only shows that MS is not aware of what a great product they would have otherwise. None of the negatives are enough to keep the keyboard design and behavior from really shining through. This is the best ergonomically designed fundamental layout I have seen yet!

Pros Keyboard action, quality construction, curved layout, batteries included, mouse feel, smooth wheelmouse scroll, side mouse buttons, new optical technology. Lots of extra keys, in general nicely labelled

Cons ESC and function keys are too small and set too low. Smallness means that labels (6pt font)are too small so those with vision problems won't be able to read the function numbers. Wheel button click requires too much force and click too pronounced.

Summary Best for young users with good close vision and little need to use ESC and function keys.

Pros The mouse and keyboard interface are amazing. This is one of the best mouses I have ever workek with, it fits perfectly into my hand.

Cons The wrist rest could be cushier and the keys are not at all "silent" like advertised.

Summary I would definitely advise this keyboard for someone looking for a more ergonomic keyboard. The wireless features and interface are great!