Microsoft has been a leader in software for many years. Today I’m here to show you just how well Microsoft does in the hardware sector. Offering high quality and reliable products, the entertainment series of desktop sets offer a great control over your digital media and content. Giving you complete control at your finger tips. Come in and see why the Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 7000 has received GeekSmack’s Editors Recommended award.

Introduction

When using a desktop set, some of the most important factors are ease of use, functionality, quality, and precision. The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 by Microsoft delivers all of these important factors. When you hear the name Microsoft, generally software will pop-up in your mind, particularly Windows. In this review we will show you why Microsoft is a great choice when choosing a multimedia setup. This desktop set can be bought directly from Microsoft for $149.95. 

The keyboard buffs a 2.4GHz Bluetooth interface, providing a strong and powerful signal. The keyboard has no numeral keypad, instead unleashes a series of controls that can be used with a wide variety of media software. These keys include volume control, navigation controls, a built-in track pad, and a newly placed button for the Start orb, as well as an orb for Windows Media Center. The keyboard can quite literally take over the role of the mouse.

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A Closer Look

The retail package is very inviting. It isn’t too flashy, or too plain. The colors are magnificent, and scream, “Touch me”. The pictures on the box gives a great feeling of how elegant this desktop set actually is, showing curves and all. On the back of the box, you will find all of the practical information. Including specifications, requirements, and what is included.

The box opens just as simply as almost any other keyboard box. Of course, however, there are twist and turns that are made specifically for the components it contains. The keyboard is contained in a separate box from the mouse, and is packed very nicely. Any shock to the box will most likely be irrelevant to the contents due to the creative and effective way these are packed.

The mouse is stylishly shown off with its colorful, shiny background. When you pull out the contents of the box, you can see that the mouse and keyboard are in separate cardboard containers. The mouse’s container includes the mouse itself, along with a rechargeable battery, and a Bluetooth USB dongle. The entire set runs on Bluetooth, which provides excellent reliability and mobility.

Included with the mouse is a charging base, a single (AA) rechargeable battery (it only needs one), and a bluetooth dongle. The dongle is for both the keyboard and mouse. This mouse has so many curves, from almost any angle. It’s not just designed for looks however, its designed to be comfortable and easy to use.

The retail package includes the keyboard, mouse, 4 regular batteries for keyboard, 1 rechargeable for the mouse, disks for installing the drivers/software to control the set, a recharging base for the mouse, and finally a blue tooth dongle.

The recharging base for the mouse is designed with consumer in mind. It’s slim and elegant, yet very functional. The bottom of the base has rubber feet to keep the base from moving around. It also has a ball sticking out of the middle to prevent the mouse from slipping and sliding off of the metal contacts. The Base is powered by an 12v adapter that plugs into the front of the base, providing you with clearance, and a possible way to keep away excess cords.

Some of the first things you notice with this keyboard is the lack of a numeric keypad, it’s somewhat shorter, and is incredibly thin. The placement of several navigation keys have been moved. On the left, it has a nicely arranged variety of media control buttons, including; playpause, backwardforward, mute, record, volume up/down.

On the right side, some of the controls include; 1-click access to Windows Media Center, a built-in trackpad/directional controls/s
elect, and a navigational back button. The layout is simple and gives the end-user a great feel of confidence when searching for the right button to use. The delete, page up, and page down buttons have been moved in conjunction with the removal of the numeric keys, but there’s no need to worry as the keys are in places easily within reach.

With the addition of the trackpad, a mouse is almost not needed. You can control your PC with the trackpad, and then there is a left/right click on the right, oddly enough. When using Windows Media Center, It is quite handy, being able to keep your hands on the keyboard at all times. The media buttons on the left provide easy access controls. Controlling both Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center with ease. The buttons aren’t too small, nor too big, they are just right. You can press a button with confidence knowing that the space in between will prevent you from pressing unwanted buttons.

At the top, the Escape key, F1-F12 keys, PrntScn/SysRq/Pause/Bk, and Home/End keys are all touch keys. These touch keys are very sensitive, the slightest touch will active the function of each, which can be pretty handy. It takes a day or so to get used to these newly designed keys, as reaching up to press a number, backspace, or delete can lead to the accidental push of these touch buttons if your finger goes a little too far.

The start button is now conveniently located at the bottom of the keyboard, partially in the hand rest. This position can be easily reached by either thumb, which some may find very convenient. No longer is the button just a regular plastic button; now it encases a badge that is identical to the Vista Start orb. At the bottom left of the keyboard is a Windows Live Call button, which will take you to a new window in Windows Live Messenger.

The same can be said for the Windows Media Center button. It is the exact image of the Media Center icon. It would make sense for the button to be on the left with the media buttons; however, the left side has plenty of buttons already.

They keyboard buttons are very quiet. The buttons are much like laptop keys, very thin, yet still feel like desktop keys in terms of construction. This keyboard is also slightly ergonomic, as the direction of keys is curved.

Last, but not least, The IntelliPoint/IntelliType CD, complete with the software used to control, monitor, customize your experience with the Microsoft 7000 Entertainment Desktop.

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Testing

The mouse uses the same Bluetooth technology as the keyboard. A built-in LED indicator lets you know when the battery level is low, or if the unit is being re-charged. The recent standard of 4-way scrolling is included. The scroll wheel turns nicely; it’s not too tight, and not too loose. A programmable button on either side is usually used for back/forward functions.

Using this keyboard and mouse with Windows Media Center is a breeze, as well as with Windows Media Player. The media buttons on the left leave you with a new sense of control over your digital content. No longer do you have to swing your hand back and forth moving your mouse over the buttons you want.

The lack of a separate numeric keypad isn’t an issue with this keyboard. Like laptops, this keyboard has a function key (Fn). Which when pressed will allow you to use several other keys with different functions, such as 1-9, zoom, and NumLk.

First impression is everything on the market whether we’re talking about looks or functionality. This desktop set surpasses my expectations in looks. When finally installing the USB dongle, and using the keyboard and mouse, the range at which the Bluetooth works is great. The advertised maximum distance is up to 30ft, without interference. In my test, I was able to get around 23ft of distance, but there are many electronics in this area. Chances are if you have a lot of electronics, you won’t get quite as far of a distance.

This mouse still uses the same invisible optical laser, so the performance isn’t quite BlueTrack comparable. However, the precision of the eye is quite accurate, especially for the media applications. This mouse is even good for gaming, a
lthough it is wireless. I noticed quick response times when playing games such as Need For Speed and Crysis. While wired mice are the best, if your not an extreme gamer (where mili-seconds count) then this mouse is perfect for normal gamining.

Unlike most mice (including several other Microsoft mice), this one can be used by someone who is either left or right handed. The design is almost perfectly symmetrical on either side.

When turned on, both the mouse and keyboard emit a green light when charged. When your battery is running low, the light turns red and slowly blinks, letting you know that it’s time to charge(or change) your batteries.

To reserve as much battery power as possible, Microsoft has built-in an on/off switch on both components, preventing any accidental “wake from sleep” happenings. This feature could also be used to prevent small children from clicking your computer to death.

Ever lost the battery cover for any type of remote, or wireless device? I know I have. The keyboard is designed to “lock” the batteries in. The battery cover has a built on screw-like object that twist and locks the cover into place, preventing any accidental loss.

The Magnifier and Gadgets button work like a charm, easily bringing up a magnifying tool so you can see better, or the Sidebar so you can control your gadgets.

Software is usually the hardest part to understand with computers, in general it makes no sense. However, Microsoft’s IntelliPoint and IntelliType make it easy for anyone to use software. The layout is basic, short, sweet and to the point.

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Conclusion

The Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 7000 is by far the most elegant desktop set I have ever used. The amount of precision you can get out of something so simple is astounding. The consistency and quality of both the keyboard and mouse provide you with a sense of safety knowing that they will last you a long time, as well as a sense of control over your multimedia. Whether you have a few CD’s or video’s on your computer, or a vast library of movies, music, podcasts, and streams, the Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 7000 is one of the best tools for controlling it. Wrapping performance, utility, and style all into one, this desktop set receives GeekSmack’s Editor’s Recommended award.

Pros

• High Quality components
• Sturdy, yet elegant design
• Built-in touchpad
• Media control center
• touch buttons
• Blue tooth
• 3-Year warranty

Cons

• Touch buttons are easily pressed (such as F11 in Internet Explorer) by mistake
• Keyboard can’t be re-charged without taking the batteries out
• Touchpad is on right, but left and right click keys are on left

Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 7000

Buy The Entertainment Desktop 7000