Review: Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000

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For some, a keyboard and mouse are just things you use everyday and don't think twice about.

For others (especially gamers) your keyboard and mouse are essential tools that must fit your needs perfectly. The Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 ($150) is well suited to a wide variety of users.

The set combines the Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 3000 and the Microsoft Wireless Mouse 5000 - both sporting a matching, streamlined black finish with blue highlights. The keyboard features a logical layout of full multimedia controls for video or music playback as well as a multitude of handy shortcut keys that can be programmed for a variety of actions and functions.

These shortcut keys will be especially useful to Microsoft Office users, allowing for quick formatting at the touch of a button; or even for PC gamers to display a map or switch views in-game, for example. The wireless mouse uses Microsoft's new patented BlueTrack technology with a laser designed for tracking on a variety of surfaces that can cause problems for traditional laser mice.

The mouse itself also has programmable buttons, a 4-way scroll-wheel and is ambidextrous, a plus for left-handers out there. Both the keyboard and mouse are powered by AA batteries.

Overall, the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 is reasonably affordable and probably one of the more attractive looking keyboard and mice sets available. It should suit a wide variety of users, from casual gamers through to office and home use, whilst avoiding the clutter of wires.

- © Fairfax NZ News