Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)A lot of reviewers are confusing this model (64390) with the older model (64385) and it's not a fair comparison! The newer model addresses all the problems of the previous version and is actually an excellent product. Yes, the 64385 did drop signals and act erratically, but the new one repaired that problem. The "missed keystrokes" have also been dealt with in this new version of the Laser Wireless Desktop.
It's unfortunate that the two models are cosmetically identical, but believe me: As an owner of both versions, I found a HUGE improvement going from the old model to this 64390 version of the set.
Anybody who has the older one and a receipt to prove it should call Kensington and get it replaced with this one under their excellent 5-year warranty. That's how I got the new model, and it was worth the effort.
High praise to Kensington for hearing the customer complaints and dealing with the issues with the original model of this keyboard.
UPDATE 01/04/10 ~ I have to lower the rating on this device because of a troubling policy choice at Kensington. It seems they have no intention of supporting Windows Vista or Windows 7, and have no plans to release updated software to take advantage of the advanced features on this desktop set. What that means is that you can't assign any of the multimedia keys, alter what the additional mouse buttons do, or set any macros. Windows 7 does support some of the extra keys natively, but you have no control over what they do. You're stuck with the default Windows functions. That means the media player button will ONLY launch Windows Media Player. The left-side mouse buttons will ONLY work for web browser Back/Forward. Some of the media keys don't work at all, and the ones that do only launch native Windows OS applications.
Frankly, I have to withdraw my former statement of high praise for Kensington customer support. This desktop set is still on the market, still being sold, and yet they do not support the current or last-generation Windows operating system? That's irresponsible, and especially unfair to those who purchased the keyboard & mouse, and then later upgraded their operating system. It's as if Kensington thinks that we're going to just stop using a perfectly good device set, and rush out to buy their newest product because they've decided to cease supporting this one.
Well, that ain't happening.
I have since dropped the keyboard in favor of a Microsoft model. At least with MS I know the software support for a new operating system will be there. I still use the mouse from this set on occasion, but I'm quite unhappy with Kensington's choice to make it difficult to map the mouse buttons by failing to support Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Kensington made a save for a while, but now they've completely dropped the ball and managed to insult and belittle their customers with this ill-thought plan. You can't tell me that Windows Vista/Windows 7 software couldn't be written for this desktop set; They just don't want to allocate the resources toward doing it because they want people to buy their latest offering. It's a bad marketing decision, and because of the lack of support such a short while after the product hit the market, I'm not buying another Kensington product. Who knows when they'll decide to stop supporting their next toy?
Way to lose a customer, Kensington.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Kensington PilotBoard Laser Wireless Desktop Set 64390
Wireless - Laser - Mouse - USB Receiver
Click here for more information about Kensington PilotBoard Laser Wireless Desktop Set 64390
No comments:
Post a Comment