A4Tech wireless keyboards are awesome!

[vulcan4d]

The above is the wireless keyboard/mouse combo I bought for a friend for Christmas. While testing it to see if it works I was so impressed I went back to the store and got one for myself .

Frankly after using it I have no idea why someone would go out and spend more money on a logitech or microsoft wireless setup, get less features and pay almost twice as much for it.

First thing you notice is the A-shape key configuration, whoever came up with this idea is a genious! I hate standard keyboards, that is why for a couple years I had one of those wave shaped keyboards so my hands would be confortable. After using it I couldn't imagine going back, but I did because it broke and my old standard keyboard was killer on my hands. This A-shaped config keyboard is even better then the wave shaped, it's a lot smaller and lighter.

I find all the button shortcuts on top very usefull. The old standard keyboard I was talking about earlier, that was an IBM keyboard which also had button shortcuts at the top. With the old one though I only found less then half usefull. Sure you can reconfigure the buttons but that's kinda stupid as the keys on the keyboard are already labelled and you can't change it. All the buttons on the keyboard feel soft when pressed and bearly make any sound.

This is the very first wireless keyboard and I didn't expect it to be this good. If you think RF wireless you may think serious distance limitation, maybe lag etc. Wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong! I couldn't believe it myself, each RF wireless keyboard/mouse specs say it will work up to 2 metres but I have tested it 20 metres away in another room! I had another person check the screen while I pressed buttoms and moved the mouse and even in the other room there was no lag. You can control your computer from another room to scare your friends hehe. I havn't tested how far it will actually go since I doubt I'll be typing over 20metres away . You can choose between 2 channels and if you have other wireless keyboard/mouse devices in the house you can assign connect ID's so they won't interfere with anything else. The mouse takes only 30ma and the keyboad 6ma, batteries should last for quite some time. The software that comes with it tells you how much power is left in the mouse batteries but not the keyboard.

Now let's not forget about the wireless mouse aswell which is great too. This wireless optical mouse works even better then my old logitech wired optical mouse, again I just have to say "wow". The mouse pointer moves much smoother on the screen and the mouse feels nice in my hand. It has 2 buttons and the scroll wheel but I wish it had also 2 side buttons. This is an older model keyboard/mouse combo by A4Tech, their newer ones I believe come with a mouse with more buttons.

The RF receiver works anywhere and I mean anywhere. You don't have to have it specially setup but it would be smart to have it somewhere within reach because the receiver aslo works as a battery charger. When your batteries in the mouse die you can quickly switch them with the ones in the receiver/charger and you are good to go. There are no additional power cables connected to the receiver, it takes the power it needs from the PS/2 connector from your computer. The package also includes rechargable NiMH battieres, meaning they should last for quite sometime.

All is not perfect of course. Even though the setup is nicely built the plastic casing does seem a bit cheap. My other complaint would be only 2 buttons on the mouse, I'm quite used to having 4. Those are my only complaints but the pros greatly outweigh the cons . Considering how much I paid, I couldn't be more happy with my purchase. Here in Canada, not sure about US, A4tech keyboard are quite hard to find but if you are looking for a great wireless keyboard/mouse combo and don't want to break the bank I would HIGHLY suggest taking a look at the ones by A4Tech.