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Time:
00:00 EST/05:00 GMT | News Source:
ActiveWin.com |
Posted By: Robert Stein |
I have posted my review of the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop for Bluetooth. Here is an excerpt:
As much as everyone likes to plug everything in immediately when they open up a new hardware product, in this case you must install the software first. The software included is a special version of IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint. Specifically, they are IntelliType Pro for Bluetooth and IntelliPoint for Bluetooth. Install the both software programs as normal, then you can detach your old hardware devices and plug in the desktop base. Make sure by this point you have already put the AA batteries in the mouse and keyboard. You are ready to go! Note: IntelliType Pro and IntelliPoint for Bluetooth only work in Windows XP with SP1 and the Windows XP update for Bluetooth. Not to worry, these updates are also included in your software CD.
Updates:
Here are the answers to the questions I've been getting recently about the Desktop. First, unfortunately the keyboard/mouse does not work in the BIOS screen - you get a keyboard error message. The first time you get a response from either device is at the Welcome screen. Second, if you have enough ports you can actually have two mice and keyboards working at the same time. They do not conflict with each other. Third, I went in a different room on a different floor and both devices operated normally. Fourth, if you live in an apartment building bluetooth devices will not conflict with each other because there is a specific passcode you have to retype to lock in the settings between the devices. If you have any more questions, do not hesitate to ask!
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#1 By
1845 (12.254.162.111)
at
10/15/2002 2:43:55 AM
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The box looks cool.
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#2 By
2138 (62.201.91.51)
at
10/15/2002 3:09:43 AM
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I wonder when will this be available? We are getting ready for another upgrade for our PC's. I first what a MB with Bluetooth build in and MSI already has this. Now we have to search for a bluetooth printer.
belto...
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#3 By
1428 (66.50.158.178)
at
10/15/2002 3:38:22 AM
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After God there is Microsoft...... I wonder......??????
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#4 By
1845 (12.254.162.111)
at
10/15/2002 4:23:41 AM
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It looks like you're just a tad bit enthused, Trade. : - )
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#5 By
1896 (66.20.202.129)
at
10/15/2002 7:03:44 AM
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Good question #6. I "solved" the problem buying a set of rechargeable batteries for my mouse.
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#6 By
2 (12.226.195.102)
at
10/15/2002 9:09:47 AM
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#2, #8: This keyboard, etc. will not be available until November. #6, The mouse batteries are estimated to last 90 days, the keyboard, longer. Microsoft has said they have tried to improve this since the last products. #3 I didn't have any problems with this mouse waking up from sleep mode, as it seemed to work fine. #8, The book says it is supposed to "work" even with the transceiver is out of site. I tried it - it works!
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#7 By
116 (129.116.86.41)
at
10/15/2002 12:35:41 PM
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Bob are they going to have a natural version of this?
Thanks,
Ben
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#8 By
2960 (156.80.64.132)
at
10/15/2002 1:30:16 PM
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#17,
Maybe so, but this is an outright failure...
The function keys on the IBM standard keyboard have been in the same place for, well, forever. People are USED to it.
This is the only thing about the Office Keyboard that drives me nuts. It's also got the stupid groups-of-three Fkey layout.
I'm a fast touch-typist, and I expect things to stay where they have been for 2 decades.
TL
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#9 By
2 (12.226.195.102)
at
10/15/2002 2:07:42 PM
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#20 I think if this product is successful they will release a natural model, in addition to other products on Bluetooth technology.
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#10 By
135 (209.180.28.6)
at
10/15/2002 2:07:47 PM
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TechLarry - The original function keys were on the left side of the keyboard.
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/kb/layout/stdXT83-c.html
This changed in 1986 with the introduction of the 101-key keyboard for the PC-AT. Notice also how the CTRL key was moved.
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/kb/layout/stdEnh101-c.html
The 101-key enhanced keyboard didn't really become widestream until around 1990 or so with it's adoption by all the other clone makers. I have a Northgate Omnikey Ultra that has the function keys both on left and top, and I can reposition the CTRL key.
Anyway, it's hardly 2 decades, and the previous change was much more radical than just shifting the groupings around.
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#11 By
3384 (12.224.50.203)
at
10/15/2002 7:08:16 PM
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90 days, huh? I wonder what the present wireless model is rated at? If they say anything more than 30 days, they're lying. I'll believe the 90 when I see it.
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#12 By
1845 (12.254.162.111)
at
10/16/2002 12:41:55 AM
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We get to see this good looking box for another day. It's interesting that Microsoft should make such a good looking box for something as simple as a keyboard.
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#13 By
1845 (12.254.162.111)
at
10/16/2002 2:01:49 AM
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Sad, now the box has been taken from the article. Well, from the headline at least.
This post was edited by BobSmith on Wednesday, October 16, 2002 at 02:02.
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#14 By
2 (24.54.153.247)
at
10/16/2002 9:05:22 AM
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#28. Yes, you can connect up to five other Bluetooth devices with the transceiver. #29. No problem. Having to switch keyboards ia a bit awkward. #30, fixed.
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#15 By
11131 (160.81.221.42)
at
10/16/2002 9:13:23 AM
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No keyboard support in the BIOS or DOS.... I think I will have to pass on it this time. I was considering getting on of these until this came up since I did not think about it before. I wonder how many users will buy one of this and then throw out their old keyboard. Then when their PC crash (or hard drive), they will not be able to reinstall Windows because they will not have a keyboard that is reconized in DOS so that they can install. You cannot type a CD Key without a keyboard :)
Alister
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#16 By
2332 (12.105.69.158)
at
10/16/2002 10:29:53 AM
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Ok... this is a very important question:
Make your room nice an quite, and move the mouse around. Do you hear any buzzing? Listen carefully. Anything?
The explorer wireless mouse I bought a while back was incredible, but I had to return it because of the buzzing it made. I tried 3 different mice, and all made the sound.
No, I'm not crazy... other people reported it too. I can hear up t about 22,000hz (most people can't hear above 20,500hz or so), and the sound gave me an incredible headache.
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#17 By
2 (24.54.153.247)
at
10/16/2002 12:33:12 PM
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RMD, I could not hear the buzzing until I held the mouse up to my ear.. Then I heard it very slightly!
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