Ditto
for the mouse. No longer tethered to the machinery, the wireless
mouse can be used from whatever position happens to be most
comfortable at the moment. The combination is particularly
effective in an L-shaped workstation, where the mouse can occupy
a sensible position within easiest reach of your mousing hand-
wherever that happens to be.
Flexible and useful
The sense of freedom you gain by losing just two cables is
surprising.
Usable desktop space (always at a premium) is multiplied, and
your own range of movement expands.
The
Logitech system is non-directional. It works on radio
frequencies, so you don't have to point the device at a sensor
in order to use it. This is generally a feature, unless you have
more than two units in close proximity. With only two channels
available, interference could become an issue. In that case, you
would have to go to an infrared system such as used by Acer and
others. These work only on "line-of-sight" so interference is
not a problem. For the same reason (they must point directly at
a sensor), infrared systems lack the flexibility of Logitech's
radio frequencies.
Logitech
included an automatic "sleep mode" to preserve battery power
while the units aren't in active use. The keyboard takes
two AA batteries, and the mouse needs two AAAs. Battery life is
long enough that we tend to forget about them, and battery
death, when it comes, is sudden. You'll want to keep a
supply on hand.
Highly recommended
Overall, the Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard
are well thought-out, high quality accessories. The mouse
software has a variety of behavioral options for its center
wheel (some models had a third button on the side), and the
mouse itself is well made and responsive. The keyboard has a
solid feel to its construction and positive key action. For most
OEM systems, these would be worthwhile upgrades even without the
wireless features.
Installation
is a matter of connecting the cables for the radio receiver and
running the software, a do-it-yourself project for even the most
technically insecure. Having wasted money on a variety of
accessories, this is one we can heartily recommend for anyone
who spends much time at the computer.
Cordless Freedom Series
The Logitech Wireless Desktop series has been expanded with
several new options, leaving a degree of product overlap & some
confusion. Here is a quick rundown on the new series,
which supercedes the review above:
Cordless Freedom:
This is the direct replacement for the "Wireless Desktop"
reviewed above. It sells for slightly less than its
predecessor, and the difference appears to be primarily in the
mouse. The new one is much a plainer oval shape, and does
not appear to equal the quality of the one it replaces.
Cordless Freedom
Navigator: Adds multimedia controls to the traditional
layout keyboard, mostly clustered in the upper right-hand
corner. The mouse is a modified S shape,
still designed primarily for right-hand use, but left-handers
should find it not too cumbersome. If we were buying one
today, this would be our choice.
Cordless Freedom
Pro: Essentially the same as "Cordless Freedom Navigator"
but with a different keyboard. If you are a fan of the
contoured "split" keyboard layout, this is the one for you.
Get the Logitech Cordless Freedom Now
DIRECT CONNECT AT
AMAZON.COM:
Logitech Cordless Freedom
Navigator...
Logitech Cordless Freedom...
