Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 user reviews (silver)

4.0 stars

"Beautiful!" on October 26, 2007 by EV4D

Pros: Its super thin, Super cool looking.

Cons: Mouse doesn't seem nearly as cool as the keyboard

Summary: I'll be honest, I bought this desktop set becuase I wanted to use it in an environment where everything needs to look state-of-the art. So it was less about function and more about the look. This keyboard is really thin, and the aluminum finish and silver keys really pop in my workspace. The backlighting is really cool too. I wish the mouse would have looked cooler or had some lighting or more silver but otherwise its a great mouse. For me this was an indulgence - so $$$ didn't matter.

4.5 stars

"First Rate and quite functional" on September 22, 2007 by vdmenuez

Pros: Great Item, bet key feel I have found

Cons: Pricey but so is a Lexus

Summary: I have wanted a keyboard that was wireless and had backlit keys, I got it yesterday, I am really impressed, I keep my computer/TV room pretty dark, and this thing turns on when you get near the computer, if you do not touch it for a while the keys slowly get dimmer, I don't know about the clunky charging station that the editors here stated about, too me it is perfect, plus it powers my webcam, the quality of the mouse and keyboard are above what I expected. Yes it is pricy but so is a Lexus. You get what you pay for.

4.0 stars

"I'm Impressed, but not dazzled" on October 1, 2007 by acidph1

Pros: Full Backlighting!, Great Media Keys, Seperate Mouse Included, Lightweight, Mouse/Navigation Pad Combo

Cons: Construction quality, Charging Station Design, No Scroll Wheel/Touch on Keyboard, Media Keys Functionality

Summary: I hope my opinion will hold some value since I have had the Logitech diNovo Edge for several months, and can now compare it to the new Microsoft keyboard. The application of both of these keyboards have been in my living room for my Media PC. My Media PC is installed with XP Pro (not media center, hence the need for a multi-functional keyboard), and Cyberlink PowerDVD software for its Sony Blu-Ray Drive. The editor hit the nail on the head pointing out the diNovo Edge as the #1 competitor to the Desktop 8000. There are some features that I never really appreciated about the diNovo Edge until they were gone; features like the solid built in mouse with scrolling, simple & space effective charging station, solid design, and program-specific customizable media keys. However, the Microsoft Desktop 8000’s ability to smartly backlight the entire keyboard is just perfect for my application. Since most of my movie watching occurs in the dark, it is a dream come true to reach for the keyboard and have the backlighting softly come on. I can even surf the web and use other applications in low lighting without any trouble at all. With the diNovo Edge, the only things that are backlit are the function keys, media keys, customizable keys, and the mouse border (ok and the cool volume slider when you make a volume adjustment). The catch is that you have to push the Function key to activate the backlighting, which is only acceptable after you become use to the keyboard and the location of the Function key. Needless to say, I think backlighting is the only category in which the Desktop 8000 punches the diNovo Edge in the face. A thing I liked about the diNovo Edge software, is the ability to select an actual program for the media keys. For example, Cyberlink PowerDVD was in the drop down in the Logitech software. The media keys on the Desktop 8000 work in media programs most of the time, but not all. I have a WinTV HVR-1600 card in my PC and use WinTV 2000 to watch TV, and the media keys on the Desktop 8000 surprisingly work perfectly eg. “Pause”, “record”, “next” “channel”. However, when watching a movie in PowerDVD, the “next” and “previous” buttons work, but not the “play/pause”. Another thing I noticed about the Desktop 8000, is its sort of cheep feel. I don’t know exactly how do describe it, but the keyboard and the keys just feel like cheep plastic and that it could break at any moment. I do like the innovative concept of the touch mouse and navigation mouse combo. The navigation mode is great for DVD menu operation. I’m getting used to the touch mouse over the unsteady navigation pad buttons, and even though there’s a big” OK” button, clicking it won’t click the mouse; just a soft tap will do like any other touch mouse. My last big beef with the Desktop 8000 is the charging design. Seriously Microsoft ***. This keyboard should totally not be designed be for desktop use. Logitech got the idea perfect with the diNovo Edge charging design; simple, remote location, standing up to save space. When I had the diNovo Edge, I had the charging station on one of the end-tables next to my couch. The Desktop 8000 docked in the charging station just takes up too much space and the wires are too messy to have out on an end-table, so now it’s just set up on a shelf under my TV. And since the keyboard docks into place using magnets, the base doesn’t stay put when you pull the keyboard out. The base will slide a little bit unless you hold it. All that being said, I think that if the diNovo Edge had full backlighting, it would definitely pull a huge amount of sales away from Microsoft. But since it doesn’t, I am going to stay with the Desktop 8000. I personally love the full backlighting, and consider it a deal maker for my application. I can deal with hitting “Spacebar” to pause a movie in PowerDVD instead of a fancy “pause” media button, and charging the unit under my TV. Plus the Desktop 8000 comes with a separate mouse to throw on your coffee table or couch cushion when you other things to do besides movie watching.

4.5 stars

"superior to the diNovo Edge. Period!" on May 20, 2009 by Bruce R Nelson

Pros: 2 much to say here other than the "clunky" charger is more functional than the diNovo Edge, unless you are an Architectual Digest freak..i.e.style B4 function idiot....

Cons: I have not enjoyed more than a days use B4 recharge time which is not that big of a deal. Just put er to "sleep" at night, wake er up for breakfast. B better if one kept 4 back up bats in which case there should be an easier to open bat compartment.

Summary: Dislike because of shorter "drive" time than diNovo Edge. I believe that the actual keys should be dark silver or black so that they are easier to read in daylight. but you ain't gonna beat the 8000 for bright lighted keys, essential for anyone with vision problems who are not rocket person on a keyboard. ! I AM visually impaired and the wireless backlighted keyboard is a Godsend. The diNovo is NOT back lighted, for whatever reason I do not know. I bought and used one for several months. Real stylish "armpiece" lookin great sitting sideways up on its cute charger. But if you accidentally set the keyboard in offset...no charging...that will happen at times and leaves you with a dead board when you might need it the most. I mentioned "style B4 function freaks"...let me explain. The diNovo is a beautiful product. It works just fine IF you do not want or need a backlighted keyboard. I informed Logitech that was the main reason for returning for refund and Logitech was awesome in refunding with no "restock" fee. Backing up their customer satisfaction assurances, you can not go wrong with Logitech in my opinion. Had they provided a truly backlighted keyboard then, most likely I'd not have ordered the 800 and then I'd never know what a really kool keyboard it really is!

Here are the reasons why...the "clunky" charger is fracking awesome, especially for a MacBookPro OSX 10.5 user such as I am. My room is set up "as if" I were3 using a desktop, not a laptop, deal being is when I need to haul my Mac with me I just pick it up and go...can't do that very well with a PC or and Apple. My Mac is the "brain" for all of my computer needs. I hook it to the RGB on a 47" 1080P 120hz Vizio LCD and use it as my primary monitor. If you've not experienced something like this you have not lived yet, in my opinion. I have my Magicjack VOIP plugged in to my Mac. Works flawlessly and saves me over $1200 per year on USA and Canada calls 24/7 kinda, sorta the best deal on planet earth and you only "risk" $19.95 per year. Thats how, on SSA I can afford a sweet 47" "monitor.

Now I am a creature for comfort. Sitting jacknife straight in front of anything smaller than a 47" monitor does not "work" for me. Thats why I must have a wireless keyboard. BUT, time to time I do need to sit in an ergonomic desk chair. And when I do, guess what? my 8000 fits sweetly on the slide out keyboard "drawer" wher I have my super mutli USB port keyboard and mouse charger neatly tucked on the back of the slider drawer and merely slip my 8000 into its well set up contact station which is all neatly tucked awy when not in use...and I can sit "straight arrow" using a desktop keyboard like the "saner" folks do who use computers. Try doing THAT with a diNovo and you look as perplexed as the well suited "I,m a PC" nerd does on the Apple ads. To keep it in real terms, the 8000 is absolutely *******' and it gives you 4, count 'em 4 USB ports to cram "stuff" into. So while its true, the Microsoft 8000 does cost a tad more than the diNovo Edge, and well it should since it offers substantially more in practical, user friendly terms...so, please 'scuuuuse me, I need to touch up my cocktail, click on American Idol Finale, use side by side PIP on my 47" Vizio, my way to "multi-task" as I check my e mail and trollop hither and yon on the net from 5-8 feet away kicking way baclk in my non-ergonomically correct but absolutely firstclas comfortable buttersoft leather rocker reciliner and tap tap away in the dark on my 8000, and "mouse" away with a really great bluetooth mouse critter (all paid for with the over $1200 per year I am saving using Magicjack and no, Magicjack, Vizio and Microsoft paid me nada to say what I am saying here. Its all true and I swear that on whats left of my now 70 year life, and enjoying every Blu Ray 1080P moment of it at the same time!

I hope this helps anyone interested in saving some $$$ and having some pretty good "stuff" at the same time. Just sayin, thas all, just sayin! Don't shoot the messenger!

Updated on May 20, 2009

Excuse my typos..for me its always more difficult on these "inside" fields to make all the correction...its not the fault of my 8000, just me, my sight and not being a very good typist and the ******* was not meant as a swear word, but rather it was supposed to be something like good, great or other compliment. Oh, and I erred on the Logitech restock fee. I did accept a $20 deduct on my refund but they did pay for the return shipping. Like I said, had Logitech offered a backlighted solution I would never have "dicovered the 8000, and I would be stuck with a "pretty" but in they way functionless charger, except to recharge. When one goes about "displaying" something like a keyboard as more important than function its time for a reality check, in my opinion...thanks for anyone who read all my blabbering...respectfully, Geezerkatz