Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000
The Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000 is an inexpensive wireless ergonomic keyboard with a really long wireless range. It is fairly heavy, weighing around two and a half pounds, which doesn’t make it a good choice for a laptop or for traveling, but is great for desktop computers. The keys themselves are very comfortable to type on, and are very quiet. The wave shape of the keyboard is not drastic enough to have to get used to the new layout, but instead makes typing much more comfortable as the keys fit your hands naturally. The border of the keyboard was supposed to look elegant, as it did on the box, but I found it looked tacky and cheap.
Hot Keys
There are five programmable function keys that allow you to bring up anything that you want. I like the ability to do this, because I can open whichever article I am currently working on, as well as important file folders that I use a lot. There are also the basic hot keys that are found on most keyboards, which open your default e-mail client, “My Documents”, the Home menu, photo viewer and the Windows Calculator.
Wireless Range
The actual typing keys are quite comfortable, and do not have to be pushed very hard to register on the computer, which lets me touch type very fast. The keyboard feels as if it’s a cross between a regular keyboard and a laptop keyboard, and the result is quite nice to use. The range of the keyboard, though advertised as thirty feet, is instead only around 12 feet when I tested it. Many people online have had problems with the connectivity for the keyboard, but I have not had a problem with the connection so long as the keyboard stays within a 12 foot circle of the receiver. The receiver itself is small, and connects to a USB port. I like the size of the keyboard especially because I do not have to worry about it breaking off while in my tower, which has happened to me with longer receivers.
System Requirements
Lastly, this keyboard will run on Windows Vista or XP according to the box, though it does work on Windows 7, minus a few hot keys. However, I have not searched for updated drivers online, and there may be updated software that supports 7. It will also run on Mac OS X V10.2x-10.5x, which is a definite plus. Not all keyboards are supported on both Windows and Macintosh PCs, and an ergonomic wireless keyboard that works on both is rare. The keyboard requires 2 AA batteries to work.
Summary
All in all, I would highly recommend this keyboard for anyone looking for a nice, comfortable wireless keyboard that is great to type on, and with customizable options. Relatively inexpensive, it sells for $59.99 on Amazon.
Dylan Lamberti - I have been writing on-line for a period of just under two years, and have written for such sites as Demand Media Studios and Brighthub.
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