Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000

Microsoft's entry-level Wireless Media Desktop 1000 offers an affordable mouse-and-keyboard set for PC owners. At $50, it's less expensive than Logitech's $60 Cordless Desktop S520. We found few surprises with either desktop set, although Microsoft's design is not quite as thoughtful as its competition's. We prefer the Logitech set for its design, but if price is more important to you, the Microsoft Wireless Media Desktop 1000 is the best deal of the two.

The Microsoft mouse included in this desktop set is perfectly functional and thoroughly unremarkable. It is composed of two buttons, a scroll wheel, and an infrared sensor--and that's pretty much the story. The Logitech mouse comes with a laser sensor, but that's really only an advantage to gamers; and, if you're a serious enough gamer to care about mouse performance, chances are you'll want a separate gaming mouse with more features. You'll need to feed the Microsoft mouse two AA batteries, which are included in the box.

The Wireless Media Desktop 1000 keyboard has a bit more going on. In addition to its primary key layout, you get two separate rows of special-function keys along the top edge. You'll find familiar media-control keys, application and special-command hot keys, as well as a few unassigned keys that you can program using Microsoft's Intellipoint control software.