Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000

The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is a good keyboard for use with your media center computer or your Vista system. It is small and compact; lacking a number pad may be an issue for those who input lots of numbers. The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is good for general computer work too once you get over a learning curve thanks to the slightly curved key arrangement.

Pros

Cons

The Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 is sized more like a notebook keyboard than typical desktop keyboards. It has a very thin profile making it comfortable to type on for extended periods. Microsoft included all of the media control keys you would expect to find on a keyboard aimed at users if Vista and Media Center systems including volume, pause/play and some Vista specific shortcuts for gadgets and the like.

The keys have a nice feel to them and are very similar to my every day use diNovo Edge keyboard in tactile feel, which is good. Rather than having normal function keys you get simple touch sensitive labels that act like standard keys when pressed. I’m not sure why Microsoft went this rout, it works but it is a rather odd option.

What is cool is the touch sensitive direction pad that mimics the mouse movement allowing you to mouse around your computer without actually having to use the included mouse. The keys are the Microsoft comfort curve design, which takes getting used if you typically use a standard keyboard.

Connectivity for the mouse and keyboard is good thanks to the 2.4 GHz Bluetooth technology that allows the keyboard to work easily from across the room. The mouse included works well and recharges via a flat charging tray that plugs into the AC outlet. Shortcut keys for the Windows start button and Media Center start button are included as well. Above the touch sensitive F keys are also some additional hot keys you can map via software to applications or web sites of your choice.