Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop

We're not sure why so many companies are keen on sexily designed keyboards and mice when the majority of us end up plonked in front of a beige PC and monitor.

Still, if you want to snazz up your desk, the new Wireless Optical Desktop package certainly does the trick.

The mouse and keyboard connect to your PC via a radio receiver, giving you a desktop completely clear of cables. You install the software first and plug the wireless receiver module into a USB or PS/2 port on your PC.

Insert batteries into the keyboard and mouse and press the Connect button on the base of each device to establish the wireless link.

The new keyboard is festooned with buttons that can speed up many common and repetitive tasks. A central group of buttons control the Windows Media Player, featuring volume control, pause and so on.

Additional buttons are pre-programmed to perform tasks such as opening your web browser or email program. The mouse is, by contrast, a simple two-button affair suitable for left- and right-handers.

If you don't need all those key functions then Microsoft's Intellitype software allows you to reprogram the buttons to perform other tasks. You can also re-programme the standard 12 function keys using the F-Lock button.

When turned on, the function keys work as normal but with F-Lock turned off you can re-programme them so that effectively you have another 12 buttons to play with.

All these buttons conspire to make this one of the most complicated keyboards we've ever seen, but configured properly and to the owner's taste, it makes a great alternative to a standard mouse and keyboard set-up.

DETAILS

Contact: Microsoft 0870 601 0100
www.microsoft.com