While the mouse tracks accurately and responds well, I had problems with the ratchet-style scroll wheel. The Star key reminds you of what settings you’ve assigned to each key. I am particularly fond of the hot keys: there are five of them, and they facilitate all sorts of convenient one-touch actions that can take several keystrokes to accomplish. In fact, although there are icons printed on the keys, you can use them for any purpose you want, and can assign functions to specific keystroke combinations.
You can use Microsoft’s IntelliType Pro keyboard software (accessed via the system preferences) to reassign keys to launch programs you actually use-for example, there’s a key that launches Microsoft Messenger by default, but you can set it to launch iChat instead. Most of the specialty keys-the Hot Keys, Favorites, and Media Center-work as advertised. The Media Desktop 1000 is a media set because of its iTunes and other customizable controls. This set is half the price of the 7000, however, so it’s not surprising that it lacks certain amenities. This model has a smaller wrist rest made of a harder plastic material that is not nearly as comfortable. I found the keyboard almost-but not quite-as comfortable as the one that ships with the Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 model, though it lacks the soft matte plastic wrist rest and some of the extremely elegant stylistic details of the latter. They have a decent travel rate, and each keypress makes a sound that is reassuring and audible, but not noisy.
The Media Desktop 1000 has a comfortable keyboard with what Microsoft calls Thin Profile keys.
You could also download Microsoft’s latest IntelliType and IntelliPoint software directly from the company’s Web site, where there are more details about the product and how to use the software.
The set comes packed with the latest software drivers on a CD and includes the necessary batteries. Overall, it’s a mid-level, reasonably priced set that will please most people wanting a comfy keyboard, but its companion mouse leaves much to be desired. The keyboard and mouse each use two AA batteries. The Media Desktop 1000 uses the relatively short distance 27MHz frequency with a USB receiver, not Bluetooth, giving it a wireless range of about six feet. Both desktop sets were made with the Windows operating system in mind, but both are easily converted for Macs (despite the annoying Windows logo on what operates as the option key). Microsoft’s Wireless Media Desktop 1000, like the same company’s Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 ( ), features a utilitarian design in basic black. So the field is wide open for competitors. Moreover, Apple’s standard keyboard ( ) and Mighty Mouse ( ), despite their legions of fans, are not universally loved. But the sad fact is that, like all equipment with moving parts, these heavily used input devices do eventually wear out and have to be replaced. It’s not often that a Mac user buys a new keyboard and mouse.