Microsoft Wireless Laser™ Desktop 6000 Keyboard and Mouse (B7T-00001)

I was looking to upgrade the standard keyboard and mouse on my Dell desktop computer and ended up purchasing this keyboard and mouse setup. I was interested in this type of keyboard because I use a Microsoft Desktop Elite Wireless keyboard and mouse and was actually looking to buy the same setup for my home. Since I couldn't find that product at my local CompUsa or Best Buy (didn't want to buy online) I ended up purchasing the Microsoft Wireless Laser DeskTop 6000. By the way, I was told by one CompUsa salesman that this 6000 setup replaced the Desktop Elite Wireless I use at my office...not sure if that is accurate, just passing that comment along.

Initial Hesitations Prior to Purchase

I was a bit hesitant at first to buy the 6000. I had read reviews on other sites (such as Best Buy/CompUsa) that had indicated some problems with the receiver (also noted this complaint here on Epinions) as well as problems with interfering with the screen saver functionality. There were also repeated complaints about the keyboard not responding to certain keystrokes (clearly the same issue as the receiver problems), etc. I had experienced none of these issues (except the keyboard not responding as the battery gets low which is to be expected) on my Desktop Elite Wireless at work so I was a bit hesitant. Another significant part of my hesitation was the "comfort" layout of the keys. I am a pretty good typist and have always used traditional keyboards. Those "ergonomically correct" keyboards with gaping spaces in the middle (the separation between where the right and left hands rest) just look plain wrong to me and feel even worse when I have tried a few times to put my hands on those keyboards. This keyboard is slightly curved but there is no space in the middle, no way would I have bought it if it had that space incorporated. I have had no problems adapting to this keyboard in terms of this curved layout...feels great!

Despite the complaints I noted from some users I decided to purchase this 6000 anyway and I have had it now for about 3 weeks. I'll start with the overall impression and then work through some details. Bottom line is I'm pleased with the keyboard. As mentioned above (in my "hesitations" section) the slightly curved keyboard is not at all a problem for me. I was able to quickly adapt to this having used (and liked) traditional keyboards my whole life. It is not that radical an ergonomic shift such that I can't switch back and forth between this keyboard and a traditional layout. I have experienced the same issues that other users noted in terms of screen saver interference (actually it disables the screen saver, a real concern for me), receiver issues (resulting in keystrokes not being registered, etc. Here's the good news...I discovered via research on the internet a fix for the screen saver problem. Follow these instructions and it will work just fine...


Hit the "Start" button then hit "Run". Type in "msconfig" and then click on the General tab. Next hit the Selective Startup, then clear Process SYSTEM.INI file. Next clear Process WIN.INI File and clear Load Startup Items. Do not clear "Use Original BOOT.INI" however you must leave "Load System Services" checked. Startup tab disable All. Check just the services you need (your virus software is probably a good one to leave in for example). By process of elimination/addition you can return each service if you find they don't cause an issue with your screen saver.

Part of the reason I did buy this was the built in wrist cushion which I do find helps in the comfort department. I also like the "My Favorites" laid out across the top of the keyboard for quick access to frequently visited internet sites or other destinations you can easily set. There are other hot keys laid out down the left side of the keyboard. They are defaulted to different functions including "My Documents", "Messenger", "Mail", "Calendar" and "Web/Home". These can all be modified via the included software that you load on your machine. Here is another mild complaint and fix...The My Documents key did not work. Also the "My Favorites" would not respond either. My short term band aid was to open the Keyboard Software and then all of a sudden, for that session, the hot keys and My Favorites would work. That was an inefficient workaround so I decided to uninstall and reinstall the keyboard software (not the mouse software, just the keyboard software...can be done separately). Since I reinstalled the keyboard software all functions have worked properly. Problem solved albeit with some what I'd call unnecessary effort, but bottom line it works now.

I have also noted (as did my wife) some lack of connectivity between the keyboard and the receiver. Luckily I think that problem too was solved by just flipping over the keyboard (FYI, I did check battery levels, all fine) and on the bottom there is a "Connect Channel" button. Having used wireless mice and keyboards in the past I was familiar with these buttons (you'll find them on the receiver too) and I think it just reconnects the units, puts them on the same frequency, maybe a "fine tune" operation. I'm not sure of the technical details of how this works, but this has fixed the connectivity issue and haven't had problems in the few weeks since I hit that button. Nice to know you don't have to hit it every few days.

Some other features, functionality of the keyboard include media buttons for volume mute and level control, play/pause, fast forward and rewind. Another feature to note, and to many (including myself sometimes) you may find annoying...the "F lock" key. The function keys across the top have dual functionality. From left to right starting at the F1 key you have "help", "undo", "redo", "new", "open", "close", "reply", "fwd", "send", "spell", "save", "print", etc. I'm used to the function keys being just that, the "F1" key, etc. The keyboard defaults to those function keys being all the functions I just listed in quotes. To get the old school F key functions, you have to hit the "F Lock" key up on the top right of the keyboard. Not that big a deal and maybe there is a way to change the default so that you'd have to hit the "F lock" key to access all the listed functions above. I haven't looked into that in the few years I've been using this type of keyboard (including my office keyboard) so it's not that big an issue to me.

The mouse is just great. Since I don't have any complaints about the mouse at all, this will be a short section. It is also slightly curved and feels great in the hand. It is accurate and because this mouse has not only left and right click buttons as well as the wheel in the middle (all user programmable as to what these buttons do) but also two buttons on the side of the mouse (also programmable) I find this mouse to be much better than the mouse on my office setup. I have the side buttons programmed to be "Forward" and "Back" for my web browser making browsing/surfing more convenient. I really like these buttons a lot! The middle wheel is great for scrolling (quick tip for those who don't know...hold down "Control" key and spin that wheel while reading web pages, adjusts font size! Same for Word, Excel, etc.). The middle wheel also moves left to right for navigation but I don't find I have to use that so much.

I hung on to my receipt as I thought I might be returning this keyboard/mouse setup but after finding a few fixes to some reported issues I'm real happy with it. Moreover my wife is also happy with it and she's pretty particular about her office equipment. This one is a keeper...