Lenovo Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - How is it?

Does anybody have any opinions on this mice and keyboard combo? I am at a disadvantage since no stores carry it in my area and I can't check it out for myself. I have never owned a wireless keyboard. Can you get into the BIOS with it? Do I need to keep a wired set handy? Are there any reviews for it? I goggled but found nothing. Any help would be great. Thanks.

 

Anybody have any opinions?

 

I have used a Wireless Mouse/Keyboard (Logitech Cordless Desktop) and it looks similar to this Lenovo model. It was convenient because I could leave it in a drawer to open up my desk when i wasn't using it, and then move it onto the desk for intense typing/gaming.

In my experience a wireless keyboard does work at the BIOS level (mine had a RF USB receiver) and doesn't require drivers. However, you may want to install the drivers to encrypt your transmission (good if you have nosy neighbors with RF scanners that would want to log your keystrokes).

If you are using this with a desktop, I would keep a wired keyboard handy. Batteries ocassionally die, and you don't want to be inoperable if they do.

The main concern I would have is the mouse. Mine used regular AA batteries (can't tell if this one includes a charging cradle) and it would frequently die on me. I would also find the mouse to lag and be unresponsive at times (I kept a wired Intellimouse Explorer on hand for games).

You need to ask yourself what you want this keyboard for. If you want the ability to put it out of the way to free up your desk it is a great idea. If you are intending to use it with a HTPC you may be disappointed by the range (I was lucky to get more than 6 feet on mine).

I have since switched back to wired components for my desktop. I use a IBM Space Saver II (no numpad, includes trackpoint, built for IBM rack mount servers) and an Intellimouse Explorer (only for Games or activities that require more precission than a TrackPoint can provide). Ultimately I just learned to type with a keyboard hidden in a drawer for the combination of wired reliability and maximum desk space.

The one thing I would really like (and would happily pay money for, or even hours to build if I could figure out how) is a Bluetooth version of either the SpaceSaver II or the external Ultra-Nav (basically a USB T40 keyboard). This would give the combination of good range/easy pairing of Bluetooth with a small keyboard that includes a TrackPoint. This would be a perfect accessory for an HTPC (use it from the couch) or a ThinkPad as it is compact and easy to use on your lap. Unfortunately nobody seems to make this, and I can't figure out how to mod a USB keyboard into a Bluetooth one (I have a USB Space Saver II that I would be happy to experiment with if I thought I would succeed).

 

I recently bought a Wireless Microsoft Natural Keyboard and Mouse and a Lenovo Enhanced Performance Wireless Keyboard and Mouse. I was disappointed by the Microsoft combo, because of the space bar was very stiff and the scroll wheel in the mouse was very stiff (while pressing it) but also flimsy (while scrolling).

The Lenovo keyboard feels much better, but not as awesome as a thinkpad keyboard. The mouse is quite heavy because of the AA batteries. One thing I'm hating is that the mouse goes to sleep quite fast, and requires some moving or a click to wake it up, which takes maybe half a second to a second. I wish there was some way to configure the sleep timer. In comparison, the microsoft mouse wakes up instantly.

You can't have it all... sigh.