Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse Blue Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this mouse as a replacement for my MS Optical Mouse (which broke). The price seemed reasonable enough, and I'd never had a wireless mouse before so I decided to give this one a try. Software installation from the CD was quick and simple (Windows 2000 Pro) though I had to reboot 'for changes to take effect'. The mouse was recognized once plugged in and it's works just fine.
The lack of cord isn't as noticable as I had hoped it would be. I almost opted for the 'wired' Intellimouse with the side buttons instead (5 buttons in total) - I still think they would be handier than having a wireless mouse (thankfully they didn't make it shaped like a TV remote;)) The Intellimouse software on the CD (you can get it from MS's site as well) is great, I've been using it since I bought my last MS mouse about a year ago.
Battery life seems to be ok - I've had the mouse about a week now and it hasn't died on me yet.
Sometimes the cursor gets a little jumpy, overall it's just like every other mouse I've owned. I wouldn't recommend if you're big into gaming (because it's jumpy), but like I said in the title, it's still just a mouse, and it works fine.

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Turn your desktop into a vibrant, clutter-free space with Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse Blue. Wireless technology, a wider, clear scroll wheel, and signature red optical glow combine in a fun design.

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Asus Eee PC 1005HAB Netbook - Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz / 10.1" WXGA / 1GB DDR2 / 160GB HD / Webcam / Windows XP Home Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I wanted a Netbook for casual use. Mainly for emails, messaging, browsing the internet and for the occasional video watching. The Asus EEE does it all and does it well. Quick enough speed, well lit monitor, average sound. It does what I want it to do with little or no problems
I have had a few issues with mine however. Every once in a while, my keyboard locks up and doesn't accept any new characters. I'm forced to shutdown and reboot the PC at which point it resumes normal use. I've also noticed that some of my "F" keys no longer work. I could probably take it in and have it serviced, but it doesn't interfere with my use, so I don't even really notice it that much.
If you're looking for something small for email, browsing, chatting and/or moderate Word Processing, I highly recommend the Asus EEE. It gets the job done

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On-the-go multitasking is a snap with this netbook's high-speed wireless LAN for surfing the Web and built-in 1.3MP webcam for video chatting and conferencing. Compose e-mails with ease using the 92% full-size keyboard.

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ASUS Eee PC 1000HE 10.1-Inch Blue Netbook - 9.5 Hour Battery Life Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Good Stuff:
- I type thirty or so pages a week between three different computers. The keyboard on this little guy works great for my purposes. I'm 6'3", 280 lb. and yeah, I have big hands. - Minimal bloatware. Took just a couple minutes to remove the stuff I didn't want.
- Attractive and practical design.
- It has a good display and decent sound... for a netbook.
[Edit] As far as sound goes, it depends on what you're listening to. My Baroque Classical and Russian Chant sounds great, as does anything spoken word. My Swedish Death Metal (and anything similar) sounds tinny and weak.
- While it was no use to me, it came with some basic office programs already loaded. Just one of many things Asus did to try and make this netbook ready to use straight out of the box.
- At least so far... the battery life is pretty close to what's advertised.
[Edit] I'm able to get just under eight hours of operation out of it, without turning the screen brightness all the way down or wireless/bluetooth options off.
[Edit] Swapping out the 1GB Memory stick for a 2 GB Memory stick was easy.
Bad Stuff:
- It attracts finger prints like bees to flowers. Get skins/decals/stickers for the outside cover if you're really OCD.
- Doesn't make coffee.
- Bulky. The wife has a 1002HA with a 2 cell battery and it is soo slim and strim looking compared to mine. Hers is a half pound lighter too. She still gets 4-5 hours of battery life out of hers even with the smaller battery.
Thoughts:
For the money, it's one of the best netbooks out there. I looked at almost every netbook available and read over 500 reviews before deciding on this one. I bought the 1002HA (brushed aluminized) for my wife because she didn't need the battery life and wanted something more professional looking.
[Edit] I spent the weekend passing it around to people I know and letting them type on it, and everyone (big or small) pretty much agreed that it was an easy keyboard to adjust to and comfortable. My father ordered the Blue 1000HE (from Amazon!) he liked it so much.
Update [Feb 24th, 2010]
I used this device for almost a year before selling it on the cheap to my friend. His wife quickly laid claim to it however, leaving him sad and bereft. After a year of heavy use my Asus 1000HE held up perfectly. No dead pixels. 200+ recharges later, the battery still held the same charge as the day I laid hands on it. Within my circle of friends and family, two other folks bought the same device and continue to use them as I write this. One friend in particular has dropped hers several times, and while the rattling of small broken pieces emanates from within, the device still continues to function perfectly in spite of its wounds. I've had the opportunity to use and examine other Netbooks and I can say with some confidence, no one has made a better model than this one.
Even the Netbooks Asus put out in the last year have been disappointing in both their manufacturing and composition. The keyboard on this model was unbeatable, as was the power and flexibility it provided, balanced with a lengthy battery life. Had Microsoft not so woefully bungled the transition from XP to Windows 7 (among other things), and Apple's new OS X not been so appealing, I might never have relinquished my Asus Netbook.

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Catapault to the forefront of technology with Eee PC 1000HE, the first netbook to have the Intel Atom N280 processor. With up to 9.5 hours of battery life, the 1000HE enables you to bring internet and multimedia wherever you go, without a power cord. Furthermore, its 10-inch display, 3.2 pound lightweight chassis, flush fitting battery pack, and large ergonomic chiclet keyboard will allow you to work or travel in absolute comfort for hours on end. Its generous 160 GB of built-in storage—along with an additional 10 GB of Eee Online Storage—will enable you to store, share and access your important data anytime, anywhere. Here are what some experts had to say about the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE: "A smart netbook that not only gets the design right -- and it's priced to move." - PC World, February 2009 "The best Eee PC yet, ASUS has tweaked the 1000HE to near-perfection." - Computer Shopper, February 2009 "The Eee PC 1000HE […] clearly stands out as the best netbook value under $400." & "The bottom line is that consumers who want the most bang for the buck will find the 1000HE an ideal choice." - Laptop Magazine, February 2009 "The battery life…is the greatest out of any netbook we have reviewed." - NotebookReview, February 2009


Key Features
Up to 9.5 hours battery life
First netbook with the Intel Atom N280 processor (667MHz FSB)
10-inch screen & large chiclet keyboard for comfort
160GB hard disk drive plus 10 GB Eee online storage
Built-in 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy wireless connectivity
Multi-touch touchpad for ease of use

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Large LED-Backlit Screen and Chiclet-style Keyboard for Comfortable Use
Super Hybrid Engine for Extended Battery Life
Powered by the Latest Intel Atom N280 Processor
Large Data Capacity with Hybrid Storage
Flexible Connectivity with Eee PC 1000HE
Ground-Breaking Multi-Touch Touchpad
Quick Recovery with Just One Key
It's Better with Windows
Warranty
Flawless Display Guarantee and 1-Year Warranty from ASUS All Eee PCs come with ASUS\' Zero Bright Dot Guarantee and 1 year of Eee PC warranty. If the purchaser discovers one defective bright dot within 30 days of purchase, ASUS will replace the panel without cost to the purchaser.
What's in the Box The Eee PC packaging comes with an ASUS Eee PC 1000HE, AC adapter, travel sleeve, and printed operating instructions. It's backed by a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
Specifications
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft Windows XP
Display: 10-inch LED-backlit widescreen LCD (1024x600)
Intel CPU: Intel Atom N280
Wireless Data Network: WLAN: 802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth V2.0
Memory: 1GB DDR-2 SODIMM (memory size is upgradable to 2GB)
Hybrid Storage: 160GB HDD + 10GB Eee Online Storage **Eee Storage service is complimentary for the first 18 months. Please register account information for 6 months extension (depends on country)
Camera: 1.3 megapixels
Audio: Build-in stereo speakers, high-definition audio CODEC, Digital Array Microphones
Storage Cards: 2-in-1 MMC and SD(SDHC) flash card slot
Input/Output: 1 x VGA port (D-sub 15-pin for external monitor), 3 x USB 2.0 ports, 1 x LAN RJ-45, 2 x audio jacks: headphone & mic-in
Battery: Up to 9.5 hours*, 8700mAh *Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations.
Dimensions: 10.47 (W) x 7.53 (D) x 1.12-1.50 (H) inches
Weight: 3.20 lbs
Color: Black - All specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check with your supplier for exact offers on selected models. Products may not be available in all markets. - Operation lifetime subject to product model, normal usage conditions and configurations.

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Cisco-Linksys USBBT100 Bluetooth USB Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you own a bluetooth enabled phone, this is a MUST-HAVE accessory! I've owned this for two weeks and here's my experience w/it so far.
Installation was a snap! I am using Windows XP SP1. I downloaded the latest drivers from Linksys website and during the install process, it prompted me to plug in the dongle, then it finished and was up and working! That easy! I've read about others having driver problems w/other lesser name brands (Belkin, etc) but Linksys truly does live up to its name. I've also installed drivers on my laptop so I now have a Bluetooth enabled laptop also! It's easy switching the dongle from desktop to laptop because of the USB connector. Pairing w/my Sony Ericsson T610, I now have wireless internet access on my laptop anywhere I can get a signal on my cell phone!
Syncing w/Outlook is much faster than through IRDA and sending pictures/ringtones/games to and from the phone is a lot more convenient too because it doesn't require line of sight the way IRDA does.
The specs claim 100m but you've gotta remember that's unobstructed. I live in a 2800sq ft home w/two floors and this unit still picked up a weak to fair signal from one end of my house to the other. I would get strong signals from about 3/4's of the distance or closer.
You can probably save $10-15 going w/a generic or lesser name brand but full driver support from generics may be a hit-and-miss game. To me, paying a bit extra for fully compliant driver support and no installation headaches is certainly worth it! Plus, it looks cool and has that antenna for better range.

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The Linksys USB Bluetooth Adapter adds local wireless connectivity to your USB-equipped computer. Bluetooth technology lets you connect various electronic devices together wirelessly, eliminating the need for wires all over your desktop, and easily connecting your notebook to peripherals in an airport lounge without all the cable clutter. With the USB Bluetooth Adapter plugged into a USB port on your notebook or desktop computer, youll be able to connect with other Bluetooth-enabled devices to synchronize the data in your PDA, transfer files to other computers, send files to printers or fax servers, use a wireless mouse, keyboard, or telephony headset, or use your mobile phone as a link to the Internet, all without cables.

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Wireless USB 2.4GHz Bluetooth 2.0 Dongle Adapter for PC Laptop Notebook Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Read the title. Waste of time and 6$. It keeps telling me I dont have a serial number. Leads me to believe this peice of hardware has been pirated somehow. The version shipped with it is 1.47... The newest is 6.54 something. Attempting to upgrade via in-app help menu, led me to a website that does not exist. It was almost spelled right but not quite. Then the website that wants my 20$ has all kinds of typos. This product is real bad. I have one. If you drive by, maybe you can get it as I throw it out the window. If you expect to get anything other than garbage for pennies, you are as big of fool as I was. Do not buy this product.

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Get more done with the power of Bluetooth! Transfer files between your computer and any Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as cell phones, PDAs, printers, headsets, and more. Create on-the-fly networks between two computers w/ Bluetooth. This simple USB adapter acts as an antenna for your computer, giving it Bluetooth capability.This bluetooth dongle comes with a full version of BlueSoleil software and drivers. However, the software is not licensed to every type and model of hardware that is capable of using Bluetooth. If the software detects hardware that does not match the license keys it expects, then the software will impose a 5MB data transfer limitation. To overcome that limitation, users must purchase a different version of BlueSoleil software separately. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Cirago Bluetooth BTA3210 v2.1 EDR Class 2 Micro Bluetooth Adapter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Good
-"Just works"
-Linux compatible
-Very small size
The Bad
-Connector & plastic part protrude from USB port ~1/2"
-Terrible signal - max 50% with cell phone hovering just over device (file transfers do work)
-Few feet of range gives me 10-30% signal, most file transfers initiate but fail

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M-Audio OXYGEN 61 61-Key USB MIDI Controller 9900-51394-10 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I'd been looking for a MIDI keyboard to control my virtual instruments in Cubase, and this one seemed to have the most features for the price Amazon was offering. I was not disappointed- the keyboard is solidly built and has just the right amount of features. I downloaded a Cubase profile on a third-party site and instantly I could use the 9 faders to control 8 tracks and the master volume. The same went for the faders, and even the transport controls (Loop, Rew, FF, Stop, Play, Rec) worked flawlessly.
The pressure sensitivity on the keys is adequate, but may not be enough for a more accomplished piano player. I just use it to bang out accompaniment for the guitar and bass tracks I'm writing. I also use it to program drum tracks, and am able to get different drum velocities by varying the pressure on the keys.
This keyboard includes pitch and modulation wheels (both excellent), programmable buttons/panners/faders, octave up and down (up to 3 octaves in either direction), extra MIDI in/out ports, and a USB interface.
If this keyboard had motorized faders, it would jump up to the next class of controllers, but would probably weigh and cost a bit more. As it is, I just have to remember to zero out the faders and panners before loading an existing project, then carefully match the project track levels. This could wreak havoc with saved mixes if you don't pay attention.
Also, the keys sometimes don't register a hit when playing very softly- but again, I'm not a piano player so this may be a user problem. In other words, it's likely that below a certain threshold, the keys aren't supposed to activate. I don't feel like it's broken, and I think the sensitivity can be modified but I haven't felt the need to.
Finally, although a wide range of preset profiles were included, I had to find a Cubase profile myself, and Cubase is pretty common recording software. Still, the Internet provides where companies do not.
Overall, I am very pleased with this keyboard and it suits my needs. It didn't break the bank and I can do 90% of the things I wanted to do with it. In the future I may buy a Behringer motorized mixer and let that handle the mixing functions that this keyboard really wasn't intended for anyway.

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Oxygen 61 gives even the most serious players a 5-octave keyboard they can love, complete with a built-in USB MIDI interface and tons of controls. A total of 35 controllers--including 9 sliders, 8 knobs and 15 buttons--can easily map to any MIDI-assignable parameters in your hardware and software rig. While easy to program, the Oxygen 61's complete MIDI implementation will also allow you to go as deep as you want to go. Store 10 different setups in on-board non-volatile memory, plus manage an infinite number with our free Enigma software for Mac and PC. Bus-powered operation and a weight of just 7 lbs. means that you can use the Oxygen 61 anywhere your computer goes.

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Microsoft 2.4GHz Wireless BlueTrack Technology Laser Explorer Mouse with 30-Foot Range and Easy Battery Recharging Base (5AA-00001). Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)What I liked:
=============
The first thing that I loved was that the mouse works fine under Linux (and Windows, of course), even the two side buttons: under Linux they are "Back" and "Forward" in a web-browser by default.
The mouse is rechargeable and requires one AA Ni-MH battery (which means it can be easily replaced when the battery dies eventually) and comes with a low charge indicator (slowly flashes red when the mouse needs recharging and slowly flashes green when the mouse is being charged) and an easy charging station. After some minimal charging is done, the green flashing stops and the indicator just stays on green. Unfortunately there is no indication as to when the mouse is fully charged - the indicator does not change to blue or some other color, instead it just stays on green).
The two customizable buttons can be assigned (under Windows) many different functions out of a list.
The mouse indeed works well on most surfaces. However, I found out that it does not work at all on a concrete wall painted with a white paint. It also barely works on its original package (which could mean that it performs poorly on transparent surfaces). I guess there are always exceptions.
The mouse looks beautiful! Although, keep in mind that you won't see the blue light from under the mouse and the BlueTrack sign all the time - it only turns on for a few seconds when the mouse is turned on (i.e. after one takes the receiver out of the mouse) and after the mouse returns from a sleep mode (the mouse goes into the sleep mode to save battery if it is not used for a while).What I liked and did NOT like at the same time:
===============================================
One thing which I love is the smooth no-sound (no clicks) scroll wheel in a web-browser. It is as convenient to use as a wheel with clicks. It is great, for example, during meetings since the constant wheel clicking would not annoy anyone or in any situation when one wants to be quiet. The scrolling also takes very little effort. However, in all the other applications (not in a web-browser - for example in PowerPoint or in Excel) the scroll wheel is too sensitive, i.e. even a slight touch of the wheel causes a difficult to control scrolling of a page(s). One can get used to it but will still remain uncomfortable. What I did NOT like:
====================
The first (very annoying) feature, from my point of view, is that the scroll wheel has to be clicked in a specific direction away from the user, when used as a middle button., i.e. if one just presses it down or towards oneself it would not consider it as a (middle) click. So it takes some thinking (or maybe a habit) to put a finger on the nearest end of the wheel and press it away. I love using the middle click to open a link in a new tab in FireFox. And also middle clicks are used really a lot under Linux (paste) so I consider it as major drawback of the mouse. I also cannot understand why the mouse was designed that way, since unlike scrolling, it takes some effort to click the wheel, so one would not click it accidentally anyway.
The second thing that I did not quite like was that the mouse is very big (its physical size: it is wide and thick - feels like a ball in ones hand). It is probably one of the biggest mice I ever seen or used. I have small hands and find it more convenient to use a narrower and thinner mouse. It does not make using the mouse troublesome - just feels somewhat uncomfortable. There is a "Mini" version of the mouse but that one is not rechargeable.
The mouse gets discharged pretty quickly (i.e. in less than a week - just a few days) when it is off. That is if I fully charge it and then snap the USB receiver into the mouse to turn it off with an intension to take the mouse with me on the road in a few days - it does not work, since in a few days when I turn the mouse on again, the charge indicator blinks red (which is an indicator that the mouse needs to be charged). It looks as if some circuit does not get disabled and still drains the battery power even in the mouse's off-state.
I find putting the mouse's wireless receiver in and out quite inconvenient. It takes special care to put the receiver in since it does not naturally find its proper position before one pushes it in. Even much more inconvenient is to take the receiver back out of the mouse - it gets stuck there pretty tightly and deeply and it is not easy to grab on it to pull it out (accurately without breaking it).
I also do not quite like the feature that to turn the mouse off one has to put the USB receiver into the mouse. It is subjective, of course, but I would find a simple on/off switch more convenient. The switch could be even positioned on the front or back side of the mouse so that it does not get congested with dirt over time, if this is the problem.
Also I wish the mouse would come with some carrying case. The idea of the BlueTrack technology is that the mouse works on most surfaces which makes it a good choice to take it with on the road, so, I think, a carrying case is desirable.Overall:
========
I kept the mouse. My goal was to find a rechargeable wireless mouse which would use standard rechargeable batteries (i.e. AA or AAA) and I found it. It is a good mouse, but I would not call it a marvel of engineering - it has a few important things to get fixed. I guess the Microsoft engineers were so excited about the novel BlueTrack technology that they forgot to make sure that other not so novel features of the mouse are implemented conveniently for a user.


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The Microsoft Explorer Mouse, with revolutionary Microsoft BlueTrackTM Technology, works more places than ever before, including on granite countertops, living room or airport carpets¿even on a wood table or rough, unfinished park bench.

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Razer Lycosa Mirror Gaming Keyboard - Special Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First, I'm not a gamer. I enjoy a good FPS but generally get pwned by kids 30 years younger than me. I didn't buy this keyboard for it's gaming features. I needed to replace my Logitech MX5000 BT keyboard because it was driving me crazy with it's connection issues. The criteria I had for the replacement was that it be wired (I've tried too many flaky wireless solutions); that it preferably have laptop style keys; that it be relatively quiet (so my wife can sleep in the next room); and that the keys have a switchable backlight (more on that later). The Lycosa met these requirements for me.
The keyboard itself is really nice looking, not too big, and very low profile. The high gloss body finish does show finger prints and dust. The keys have a matte rubber finish that feels good under the finger tips.
I'm almost a touch typist and I have been intrigued by the Das Keyboard II but I just wasn't really ready to commit to a completely unmarked keyboard. The Lycosa is actually a nice compromise in this regard because I can turn off the backlight completely and have a virtually unmarked keyboard.
Speaking of backlighting, it is true that the backlighting for the keyboard it somewhat dim, especially when viewed from a slightly slouched seating position. If you are not very familiar with the standard keyboard layout and you like to slouch when surfing or gaming, then this is probably not the keyboard for you. However, when sitting in a normal typing position the lighting is perfectly adequate even in a well lit room. I do understand the desire to want to control the brightness of the backlight. Maybe that can be supported through a driver or firmware update at some point in the future. It is interesting to note that when the keyboard backlight is in "WASD" mode, that the lit WASD keys are significantly brighter than normal full keyboard backlight mode.
I want to mention that I continue to use my Logitech MX1000 BT mouse and that I have the BT receiver for the mouse plugged into the USB port on the back of the Lycosa and it is working well.
The Lycosa will not be the right keyboard for everyone. If you need to be able to see you keys all the time, look elsewhere. If your a confdent typist and are looking for a nicely designed, high cool-factor, keyboard, then this one is worth considering.
Other keyboards I considered:
Razer Tarantula: Didn't like the industrial design as much and only the side keys were illuminated. Did like the photo-editing keys on the left side (I'm a photoshop user). Didn't have laptop style keys.
Saitek Eclipse: Popular keyboard. Terrible design IMHO. Ugh.
Saitek Eclipse II: Well reviewed. Only slighty better ID than the Eclipse. Backlight was too ambient making keys harder to identify. Keys felt a bit smaller than I'm used too when I was playing with one.
Das Keyboard II: Very high quality, totally unmarked keyboard. I might have to get one someday just for the pure novelty.
Logitech DiNovo Edge: Really nice looking and well reviewed. Nice laptop style keys. Not wired. Very expensive. Too expensive. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, it's expensive.
I intentionaly steered clear of the Microsoft and Logitech herds of keyboards because that's what I've used for the last 20-some years and and I've never had one I truly liked. In fact the last keyboard that I truly enjoyed using was the original model-m keyboard that came with my original IBM PC in 1983. These are still made today, but did not meet my "quiet" requirement.


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Redefine your gaming experience to an unprecedented level. The Razer Lycosa Mirror Special Edition is basically everything the award-wining Razer Lycosa is- and more. The Razer Lycosa, the preferred gaming keyboard of professional gamers worldwide, now comes with an awesome new look.

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Saitek Eclipse II Backlit Keyboard (PK02AU) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Quick summary and a little about me to let you know where I'm coming from, in case people don't want to read the full review:
I'm a 20 year old college student (male), who plays games quite frequently, and is pretty particular with his keyboards. I loved my previous keyboard, the Eclipse I, which I had for about 2 years, and decided to buy this on a whim as a replacement (I spilled soda on my previous one).
APPEARANCE (cool factor): 9/10
-LEDs look great, laser etched keys are high quality
FUNCTIONALITY: 7/10
-a little on the long side, but I've got plenty of desk space
-hotkeys aren't especially useful
-touchpad with updated drivers works great and is very convenient
-headphone/microphone jacks are just pass-throughs from your sound card, meaning that if you want to use the feature, you'd have to plug your speakers into the keyboard (though you could buy extra splitters/audio cables)
QUALITY: 9/10
-Saitek still makes great keyboards. everything about this board looks like it was made with care.
-The keyboard feels like its going to last years
PRICE: 6/10
-Way expensive compared to the alternatives. Its a great keyboard, but only like $50-60 great. Not worth the $80 retail price, unless you've got the extra cash lying around. My advice is to wait for it to go on sale, if you're not in a hurry.
OVERALL(not an average): 8/10
PROS:
-Recently released drives from Saitek fixed all issues regarding the functionality and sensitivity of the touch pad: volume indicators work, media control works better, visual notification when touch buttons are being pressed (the buttons flash a few times when pressed), and no more accidentally activating touch keys (they're less sensitive but still functional)
-The quality of the keys and the feel of the keyboard is the same, if not better, than the Eclipse I (I wouldn't know how to compare it to the Eclipse II as I've never used one)
CONS:
-Yes the size is mislabeled as 18" instead of the actual 21" (but the original Eclipse I keyboard was 21" also)
-The $80 price point is a little steep; wait for the price to drop or for it to go on sale. I'd say a fair price would be in the $50-60 range.
IN DEPTH REVIEW:
First off, let me say that this keyboard isn't as bad as the other review(s) say. I've previously owned a Saitek Eclipse I keyboard, which this keyboard replaced after I accidentally spilled soda on my Eclipse I, and it's way better in construction, feel, and functionality.
The keyboard is in fact 21", not the 18" listed, but now that you know, if it isn't a problem, I'd recommend it. Sure, the Eclipse II was a compact 18", but the Saitek I never was, and it got phenomenal reviews despite its size.
[...]
The soft-touch keys feel great, and the two height adjustment is a very nice little feature to help you get the proper typing angle. With the updated drivers, the touch pad functions like it should, with a "lights off" button (turns all LEDs off until it is pressed again), 5 four-stage LEDs for the volume indicator to show current volume level, 4 media buttons (mute, pause/play, prev, next), and buttons to control the 4 brightness levels and 5 different colors (blue, purple, magenta, pink, red).
On the note of the LED colors, I don't find the touch pad being constantly blue, or the numpad/caps lock/scroll lock being green an annoyance. I think it actually looks pretty cool, since the LED colors provided contrast nicely with blue (especially red). Though if you find it an annoyance, I could understand.
To be honest, I don't use the hotkeys much, since I got pretty familiar with the windows equivalent of the hotkeys, though I'm sure someone would find them useful. To my knowledge there isn't a way to reprogram them, though I'm sure there's some software out there which would let you do that.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
In all, its a well made luxury keyboard with lots of good, convenient features. If you know your desk can't fit it comfortably, look for an alternative, like the more compact Eclipse II. The price point is high, so I'd only pick it up if it was on sale, or if you extra cash burning a hole in your pocket. If you're worried about how it feels, I'd see if a local store has it so you could try it out.

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True-vu key illumination in 3 colors blue red & purple 104-key keyboard features patented blue led key illumination & backlighting zero-slope design & adjustable wrist rest for ergonomic comfort features plug-&-play design with usb connector variable lighting levels compatible with windows 98/se/me/2000/xp silver & black finish features black keys with laser-cut lettering.

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