Hot Keys, Media Keys, Quick Access Keys
Having just the usual set of QWERTY and function keys isn’t enough for most consumers these days. We want to have quick access to a myriad of functions without having to dive through a series of menus and clicking on a series of icons.
While not as robust as some of the more hardcore options out there, this Microsoft offering does not disappoint. Along the left edge of the keyboard are four buttons: My Documents, My Pictures, Zoom In and Zoom Out.
Along the top of the keyboard are another series of quick access keys and media keys, granting instant access to your email, music player, volume controls, and media playback controls. There are also five personalized quick launch keys. Each of the regular function keys (F1-F12) also carry secondary functions, like opening documents, sending emails, running the spellcheck, launching print jobs. Finally, there is a calculator button above the numpad too.
The best part is that most of these quick access keys can be customized using the provided software. If you want to launch Futurelooks with one button, you can.
Adding the Wireless Mouse 5000
Accompanying the wireless keyboard is a wireless mouse, of course. Without the mouse, you wouldn’t have much of a wireless desktop, right? Much like the keyboard that accompanies it, the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 takes on a similar glossy black color scheme on the top side, but it also has an eggshell-like white underside. At least they’re being consistent.
One of the bigger selling points for this particular mouse is the implementation of the BlueTrack technology. Up until now, most people have put laser mice at the top of the heap for their precision, but this BlueTrack stuff is supposed to be even better. I don’t know if it’s better than a laser for precision, but I did find it performed better on a variety of surfaces.
Naturally, the mouse worked just fine on my mouse pad and it was just fine on my wood desk, but it was quite surprising to see how well it was able to perform on my carpet. It was silky smooth and maintained the same kind of precision I had on my mouse pad. Well done. For aesthetics, the blue light is quite pretty as well.
Friendly with Lefties and Righties
Comfort is perhaps one of the most important things when it comes to deciding on your primary mouse. You don’t want one that is so small that it cramps your hands and you don’t want a gigantic beast that is too cumbersome to use.
The Wireless Mouse 5000 is definitely smaller than the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 (pictured) that I have been using, but it’s still big enough to be quite comfortable. The clicking of the buttons was also not nearly as loud and cheap-feeling as the Targus Ultra Mini Portable Mouse, but I don’t think anything is quite that small either.
You will note that the Wireless Mouse 5000 is symmetrical, so it will work just fine for left-handed and right-handed people. This means, however, that the added thumb contour on the side is not nearly as pronounced. That’s too bad, since the indentation makes for a much more comfortable experience overall.
Since it is trying to play friendly with lefties and righties, you’ll notice that there is only one extra button on either side, rather than having two buttons on the thumb side. The added button on the right side of the mouse is a little awkward to hit with your ring or pinky finger.
All in all, you get five buttons in all, including the click wheel in the center. The click wheel is pretty well par for the course, giving the ability to tilt it to either side for horizontal scroll. The vertical scroll does not have the “click” that you get with some other mice, so the experience is definitely smoother in that respect. This is a matter of personal preference and I like not having the click.