Logitech MK700

Logitech offers a huge selection of keyboards and mice that each cater to a different consumer, but its Wireless Desktop MK700 is meant for the everyday user that just needs a comfortable combo that won't break the bank. We're disappointed that it doesn't use Logitech's newest input device technologies, but that doesn't take away from its other useful features including: ergonomically shaped keys, superlong battery life, and the capability to adjust the sensitivity of the scroll dial. Check out Logitech's $130 Cordless Desktop Wave Pro if money isn't an issue, but the average user on a $100 budget will be perfectly happy with the Wireless Desktop MK700.

Logitech's newest quirky keyboard design is called Incurve. Unlike last year's Cordless Desktop Wave keys, the MK700 keyboard retains the same uniform layout, but the keys dip down in the center of the keyboard and slowly curve up at the end. According to Logitech, this will keep your fingers pain-free longer than a standard keyboard design. In addition, the MK700 keys have a longer travel distance that, according to Logitech, makes them even more comfortable. The keys are nearly silent when pressed and have just the right amount of tactical feedback against our fingers--we actually used the MK700 as our main keyboard and mouse combo for a week and found the cushioned palm rest and soft keys very easy to use even after hours of typing.

The top of the keyboard features a set of media playback controls surrounding a small one-line LCD dashboard that lets you take a quick glance at your remaining battery life, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, and Num Lock indicators while you type. We're all for functional LCD screens such as the one on Logitech's G9 gaming keyboard, but this little guy barely serves a purpose--a job that could have been done cheaper with a tiny solid LED.

The keyboard also has several extra shortcut buttons to quickly open up the calculator, mailbox, media player, and so on, and you can customize all those shortcut keys using the Logitech SetPoint software included in the box.

The sculpted mouse you get in the package is very similar to the Logitech Performance Mouse MX, but the sculpted shape is a lot narrower and didn't fit our hand quite as comfortably. You get six buttons across the mouse, including the scroll dial, the left and right clickers, a large application shortcut key on the top left, and two forward and back buttons just above the area for your thumb. Again, all of the main buttons are easily configured with the SetPoint software. Finally, there's a small LED battery indicator on the side that blinks when you're running out of power.

One of Logitech's signature mouse features is called "Hyper-fast" scrolling that lets you toggle between a ratcheted and free-spinning scroll dial. The Performance Mouse MX lets you easily switch between the two by pressing a button under the dial, while the MX700's switch is located underneath the mouse itself. It's a hassle to flip the thing over every time you need to breeze through a long document or Web page. Luckily, Logitech makes up for it with the capability to dial-in incremental fluidity, meaning you can adjust the switch to scroll as fast or as slow as you like. There isn't much to say about its performance--the mouse works fine on most surfaces; however, its $80 price tag for the combo means you don't get Logitech newest Darkfield laser sensor that even works on transparent glass and other surfaces that challenge traditional laser sensors.

The MK700 desktop set's truly impressive feature is its unparalleled battery life. Although we don't have the means to fully test out the claim, according to Logitech, two AA batteries will power the mouse for one year, while the keyboard can eke out up to three years if you can remember to switch the power switch off when you're done.

The MK700 is also missing Logitech's new Unifying technology to link with a computer. Instead, it just comes with a standard-size USB dongle that works with both the keyboard and mouse, but isn't transferable to other devices in Logitech's expansive line of peripherals. It's not a big deal unless you already own other peripherals that have the Unifying dongle.

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