Help choose my new keyboard

Which Keyboard & Mouse?

  • Microsoft

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Logitech

    Votes: 8 57.1%

  • Other

    Votes: 3 21.4%
  • Total voters
    14
P

Purple Platypus

Messages
398
Well, I'm looking for a new keyboard and mouse. I want the keyboard to be the split ergonomic style since I've been using that and I like it. I want them both to be wireless because my wired ones are messing with my desk, and I want to be able to use the comp from my bed. I don't really mind a little bit of lag, since I'm not playing FPS games that much. So, I've found 2 different keyboard/mouse combos. Logitech and Microsoft. I can't really choose between the two, so I'm looking for a little input.

Microsoft
B0000AOWVP.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Logitech
23-126-121-07.JPG


Their prices are the same on Amazon.com, where I've got a gift certificate that I'm looking to use, so price isn't an influence on this.

I'm using Windows XP, and compatibility shouldn't be a problem with either of these.

Any other suggestions are welcome, too.
 
get the Logitech. 👍 Microsoft is Evil 👎 You're evil putting this in the wrong froum. :mad::grumpy:👎 Now the mods have to use a couple mroe mous clicks to move it. Think of the cyberspace bandwidth your wasting, too! 👎
 
Is the MS keyboard Bluetooth, or do you have to have the little base station thingie? Also, does the MS mouse have side-to-side scrolling?

I have a Logitech Elite keyboard and MX500 mouse, and love them both (though the drivers are mediocre at best). Quality is decent, if not the greatest, although Logitech's hardware always feels more "substantial" than MS's… the buttons on MS's mice usually feel kind of flimsy. You really should go to your local Best Buy or whatever and test them out, especially the mice – those two have very distinctly different designs (hurray for alliteration!), and so one or the other might be an annoyance. Also, try touch-typing on both keyboards to see which you like better. Personally, I like low-profile keyboards, though I'd really prefer scissor-style keys, but those kinds of keyboards are hard to find and usually expensive; while other people might like more "click-able" keys. I spent a good hour at Best Buy before I made my decision (then went to Staples to get a better price! :D).
 
No, the MS one isn't Bluetooth, I didn't find a pic that had all 3 pieces in it. But I don't want something that's Bluetooth either, seeing as nothing in our house would work with it. But yes, the MS mouse does have the horizontal scrolling tilt wheel feature. I'll probably be heading to Best Buy or Frys in the next couple days to look at both.
 
Yeah, the most important thing is usability, not who's company name is on it.
 
I always buy the cheapest $15 keyboard I can find so that I don't have to worry about spilling stuff in it or typing with food on my fingers. I spring for a nice wireless mouse, though, so I can mouse in reclining comfort.

Anyways, I've had good luck with Logitech. That's what I would suggest.
 
I would go with a Gyration Wireless although they're a bit more expensive. I think the one that I'm going to get is around $120. But of those two I'm going to go with the Logitec.
 
I actually go with the MicroSoft. I'm not going to be childish and tell you MicroSoft is the devil, and you should never buy their products. It looks nicer, and the mouse looks better. I hate that Logitech mouse. I used one a few times, and I hated it.

I actually just prefer a simple mouse, without all of the little curves everywhere for "comfort".
 
I'd go with Logitech.. Here at wrrk we've had a few of the older M$ Natural keyboards - and they SUCK - HARD... Buttons were much too heavy, too hard to push.. They just didn't feel right - They've probably improved, but as I've never had a problem with Logitech, be it mouse or keyboard, that's what I'd choose...

ATM I'm using one of the new Dell branded keyboards which has no frame !... It takes 20% less space on my desk 👍
[edit]
That's a lie actually - ATM I'm using the laptop, but WHEN I use a keyboard I use the Dell thingy....
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Well I use a HP Keyboard (and all other HP products, thank you Dad). I love this keyboard. Basic, but effective.
 
Never seen one of those, flerbizky. Looks funny.

If it wasn't for the split layout you're after, Platypus I could really reccomend the logitech ultra-x keyboard. Nice design and I really like the feeling of the laptop keys.

attachment.php
 
Microsoft sent me a free wireless set of theirs... I gotta say, I love the wave keyboard now. The keys are extremely soft to push down on and the wave design is really nice to type on 👍. On the downside though, the Microsoft mouse with the tilt wheel kinda sucks even though it's shape allows me to use my left hand. I'm gonna switch back to my Logitech MX500 sooner or later.

My suggestion - get the microsoft keyboard (has to be the new model) and the Logitech mouse 👍
 
Sage
Is the MS keyboard Bluetooth, or do you have to have the little base station thingie?
Click to expand...
No, you have the base station. However, there is a common misconception that the "base station thingie" has to be in line-of sight. This is not correct. My base station is nailed to the outside of the modesty plate on my desk.

Sage
Also, does the MS mouse have side-to-side scrolling?
Click to expand...
Yes

[snip]

Sage
Also, try touch-typing on both keyboards to see which you like better. Personally, I like low-profile keyboards, though I'd really prefer scissor-style keys, but those kinds of keyboards are hard to find and usually expensive; while other people might like more "click-able" keys. I spent a good hour at Best Buy before I made my decision (then went to Staples to get a better price! :D).
Click to expand...

👍

The keyboard, mouse and screen are actually the most important parts of the computer, because they're the ones that can have a very real effect on your physical wellbeing. It is worth spending a lot of time trying them out, to see which ones you like, and then make your decision. People say that it's not worth paying £80 for a keyboard, but then they'll sit and moan about RSI.

I've long got over the ethical difficulties with trying things out in store and then buying on the net.
 
GTJugend
Never seen one of those, flerbizky. Looks funny.

If it wasn't for the split layout you're after, Platypus I could really reccomend the logitech ultra-x keyboard. Nice design and I really like the feeling of the laptop keys.

attachment.php
Click to expand...

Damn... Wish I could keep my Desktop that clean :grumpy:
 
GilesGuthrie
I've long got over the ethical difficulties with trying things out in store and then buying on the net.
Click to expand...
There's ethical difficulties involved in that ?.... That's odd.. I never noticed...
 
I've got to tell you, the best keyboard I've ever used was from a $20 Walmart wireless set. I ditched the mouse, it sucked, but to me the wireless keyboard is awesome. It has the nicest action on any keyboard I have ever used, it's really quite simply, no hyooj sections over here for useless crap no one uses like 101 multimedia keys, although it does have your volume up and mute, etc. It's black, too. So far, since I bought it a while ago, I haven't even changed the batteries.

Anyways, like I said, the moused sucked horribly. Too heavy, too tall, there were freaking buttons that were easy to press on the side so you couldn't pick up the mouse to move it around. But, since I've ditched that and reverted back to a very simply wired mouse, no problems. Can't say enough about this keyboard, though.

Oh, and it's got a spill tray under the keys. 👍
 
GilesGuthrie
No, you have the base station. However, there is a common misconception that the "base station thingie" has to be in line-of sight. This is not correct. My base station is nailed to the outside of the modesty plate on my desk.
Click to expand...
Oh, actually, that wasn't the reason I asked. ;) My "big deal" with Bluetooth is that USB ports are rather precious (especially with multiple printers and scanners and a digital camera and a flash drive and all that good stuff), so it's definitely more ideal to have built-in Bluetooth interacting with Bluetooth keyboards/mice instead of wasting a USB port on a base station.
 
Flerbizky
ATM I'm using one of the new Dell branded keyboards which has no frame !... It takes 20% less space on my desk 👍
[edit]
That's a lie actually - ATM I'm using the laptop, but WHEN I use a keyboard I use the Dell thingy....
[/edit]
Click to expand...
I want me one of them. 👍
 
GTJudgend, that's one sexy setup you have there. I love the keyboard and mouse, and monitor... Where would i get a mouse like that?

Oh, and i have some cheapie "Fellowes" keyboard.. Standard layout. I wouldnt mind one of those smaller ones though!
 
the mouse he has is the new Microsoft S+arck (or is it S+ark) Mouse. It's a tad pricey compared to the mx500 and such though.
 
Acid X
GTJudgend, that's one sexy setup you have there. I love the keyboard and mouse, and monitor... Where would i get a mouse like that?

Oh, and i have some cheapie "Fellowes" keyboard.. Standard layout. I wouldnt mind one of those smaller ones though!
Click to expand...

Thx, yes they look pretty neat together.

As emad said it's a MS starck mouse, and yes it's pretty pricey I payed the equivalent of ~50$, about ten bucks more than what a mx310 costs here... Shouldn't be that hard to find, got mine in a regular computerstore.

Just be sure you got to try it before you buy it because it sure is form over function. Only 2 very lightclicked buttons and a clickable wheel, I like it a lot anyway. It comes in a version with orange light too.
 
Sage
Oh, actually, that wasn't the reason I asked. ;) My "big deal" with Bluetooth is that USB ports are rather precious (especially with multiple printers and scanners and a digital camera and a flash drive and all that good stuff), so it's definitely more ideal to have built-in Bluetooth interacting with Bluetooth keyboards/mice instead of wasting a USB port on a base station.
Click to expand...

Meh. I have 8 USB and 3 Firewire ports. It's not a problem for me. :p

Anyway, you can get a powered USB hub for next to nothing.
 
GilesGuthrie
Meh. I have 8 USB and 3 Firewire ports. It's not a problem for me. :p
Click to expand...
he...

6 in the front of the case. 4 in the rear, 4 in the hub attached to the monitor.. It'll do... for now....
 
Well, I just ordered the logitech combo off amazon. I went to frys and tried them out, it seemed like the logitech keys are nicer. They're smoother, firmer, and less crunchy than the microsoft ones. Only problem with the Logitech keyboard is that the right shift key is shortened. I'd prefer that it goes all the way out like the return key.

As far as mice go, they both seemed pretty good. The Logitech one has a thumb button that I could see getting in the way, but I don't use that button for anything right now, and I'll probably disable it if it gets to be a problem. And...the scroll wheel on the MS mouse is really weird. It doesn't have distinct stop points, it just rolls (really stiffly, too), and that can be a problem with anything other than just normal scrolling in windows. The horizontal scroll could be kinda nifty, but it doesn't seem that important, and I've heard people say that it messes with their middle click ability.

I'd also have to say that the Microsoft keyboard wins on looks, the mice tie, and the Logitech base wins. The keys on the MS keyboard are semi-transparent smoked and look good. The Logitech base is pretty slick (and semi-transparent), compared to the MS's bland blob of a base.

All in all, it's pretty much a tie, but I'm going with Logitech. I've had one friend say that he's had compatibility issues with a wireless set from Logitech, but everyone else hasn't had any issues. So, I'm just sitting and waiting for it to get here. Hope it turns out well.
 
Oh yeah, I forgot about the way MS makes their scroll wheels… weird, eh? I suppose it's something one could easily get used to, but there's something reassuring about clicking.
 

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