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Thursday June 15, 2006
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 No, it's not the reverse of Boot Camp. Microsoft's peripherals division sent me the Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac, and so far it's not too bad. It's a lot bigger than the Apple Keyboard and Mighty Mouse combo, but it's wireless. Yeah, Apple has a Bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse, but that mouse is only single button, and i've gotten used to having a scroll wheel and a 'back' button from various Logitech mice. I also hate the laggy nature of the Apple wireless mouse.
The Microsoft combo goes for between $78 and $99 (street), and is worth it. Though it took me a few hours to get used to the 'ergonomic' curvature of the keyboard, the mouse feels fine in the hand and is well weighted. The laser tracking is accurate, and the extra function buttons come in handy. I turned off the magnification feature, since I found it annoying having to get used to it. Anyone who's used to multimedia keyboards from Microsoft or Logitech will welcome the additional function buttons, especially the playback buttons that are pre-set to controlling iTunes. If we had a 'gearlog approved' logo, I'd give it one, but regardless, the Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop for Mac is a boon for my aching fingers.
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June 15, 2006 8:09 PM
This is good news in my book; I just had a pretty bad experience with Logitech and Macintosh compatibility; I had ordered an MX610 laser mouse to go alongside my gorgeous new MacBook Pro (partially on the glowing "editors choice" award-winning review of a certain UK based Macintosh magazine (who is in no way affiliated with you guys, to my knowledge, so it's okay) only to have it arrive, try to test it out, and realize it has pretty much no macintosh compatibility. The volume buttons work, left and right click works, and the device functions as a basic mouse. No thumb-button, no middle button, no scroll wheel left/right clicking. Nothing. I was pretty cheesed, and I found out after emailing Logitech that the MX610 isn't completely supported for use on the Macintosh. Yeah, still cheesed, and looking for better options. I'm glad to see that Microsoft is at least compatible-I mean I know the Mac market is small and everything, but every little bit counts, right?
June 16, 2006 4:32 PM
Joel, this looks like an exact duplicate of Microsoft's "Wireless Laser Desktop 6000" model, which includes the same mouse that you received. I bought the "6000" set from Sam's Club in February of this year, it was not advertised on Sam's online store and frankly, I came upon it while looking for TurboTax, if I recall well, it was selling for $80.00 which at the time (and even now) was a good price, I have been extremely satisfied with this product, it's compatible with all my PCs and Macs, the mouse even works with my elderly mother's MSN TV2, the only feature that I wish that the keyboard had is a backlight, as far as the mouse is concerned a wireless iteration of the now sadly discontinued "Trackball Optical 1.0" would complete an almost perfect set.
June 17, 2006 3:44 PM
You are correct NwkEWR, the mouse is the 'Wireless Laser Mouse 6000' according to the Microsoft control panel, so it is rebadged. However unlike the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 produced for Windows, the Mac version lacks the Windows icon on the command key. (hey, it's not a big difference, but it could be important to devout followers of the Church of Mac).