Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 6000

stevecla01

13 Feb 2009 7:22 AM

Comments 4

This my friends is a kick-ass keyboard from my friends in Microsoft hardware – the Wireless Keyboard 6000. If you could see the keyboard on my Vaio TZ you’d know why I have this. The majority of the keys on my Vaio have lost their lettering despite having had the keyboard replaced once already. Sony would like to charge me £130 for another keyboard which is frankly ridiculous on a laptop that cost me over £2000 so I’ve opted for a full size keyboard whilst at work and this beauty is just the job…allow me to explain

This keyboard is here due to user demand. People asked us for a keyboard only option amongst all the mouse + keyboard sets we have.
The keyboard is wireless with a small USB dongle.
It has a good selection of additional keys to control audio volume, track selection, opening of programs like Outlook etc.
This is it’s KILLER feature - Quiet Touch Keys. Until you have used a keyboard with these keys you will not know how good it is. Very responsive, but almost silent. Sure we all loved the clickety clack of the old IBM workhorse keyboard but that gets annoying pretty quickly. This thing is beautifully designed for people who spend a lot of time bashing the keys.

There are a few other very nice touches such as the Aero inspired translucent edge to the unit, battery status indicator and curved design that make it a fine product. Oh and one other nice addition is lettering below quick keys such as P to remind you that Windows Key + P brings up print. Simple and nicely done. You can see these in the Hi-Res image I posted to Flickr (thanks Eva).

Overall I’m going to give this keyboard 9/10…though I’m genuinely struggling to find a reason for that dropped point right now.

More details on our UK site and currently £34 on Amazon

Hardware

Comments

Paul Fabretti

13 Feb 2009 11:52 AM

I don't think it's any surprise you guys are opening stores up. This kind of baby along with the sexy mouses are pretty nice looking.
Martin Baines

15 Feb 2009 7:16 AM

Nice keybaord, but we seem to be going backward in our use of Bluetooth. Why, oh why do we keep having these dongles that are not Bluetooth? My Presenter Mouse 8000 is exactly right: Bluetooth with a configuration free Bluetooth dongle provded. If I have no Bluetooth on the PC I use the dongle, if the PC has Bluetooth it doesn't need it and I save an annoying sticky out thing, it works as expected and I have a precious USB port free.

Minor rant over :-)
steve clayton

15 Feb 2009 2:36 PM

good point Martin though I suspect this is aiming for the widest audience and price point.

i've had less than great experiences qith Bluetooth Mice/Keybds in the past but have to say my 8000 Entertainment Desktop is brilliant
Paulie

19 Feb 2009 6:41 AM

I started using the Wirless Desktop 7000 this week which includes this keybaord.

Its just a real pleasure to use. It really feels like a premuim quality peice of kit. The actual texture of the keys is really nice and the shortcuts quickly become essential.

The mouse is light and responsive, I cant fault it really.

The only thing I would wish for is bluetooth capability as I will be using this keyboard with the PS3 as well. I can still plug the dongle into the PS3, but its already limited to two USB ports.

Overall its an amazing package, my best purchase so far this year!