Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Review

<!-- Generated by XStandard version 1.7.1.0 on 2007-08-08T13:58:46 -->

by Brian Beeler

A few weeks ago Logitech released their take on innovative keyboard design. I can’t say that we initially believed their hype, the Wave isn’t the first keyboard to promise better ergonomics and more comfort. But after a few weeks on the Wave full-time, I’ll be sticking with it for the long haul.

Perhaps the biggest challenge any ergonomic keyboard has is the learning curve. The split key design that was popular years ago required users to re-learn how to type. The Wave does take a couple days to get used to, but after that, it’s full speed ahead. Once my fingers, or brain, got used to the different depth keys and smile design, I was fine and typing at full speed.

(view large image)

It’s all about finger length

The Wave’s design is largely dictated by finger length. To account for certain fingers being longer, or shorter, than others, Logitech designed the contour of the keyboard to fit each finger appropriately. The keys are the highest at the A and Enter keys, which are hit by the shortest fingers. Moving inward, the D and K keys represent a valley as they are typed with the longest middle fingers. The keyboard rises again in the middle to accommodate the pointer fingers. The theory is, since this keyboard is optimized for the fingers, users will have to use less awkward positions to reach them.

Aside from key height, the keyboard also features what Logitech calls a U-shape, or what we call the smile design. Either way, it’s a five degree curve that nets a more comfortable wrist position. The wrists also receive a padded palm rest, which gives a little more comfort and encourages better hand positioning.  I will note that the palm rest will wear quickly, notice the wrist marks on ours.

Standard on keyboards in this class, the Wave also features several media and programmable hot keys. The keyboard is powered by 2 AA batteries. Battery life is expected to be 15 months. There is a low-battery warning light underneath the down arrow key that glows when it’s time to replace the batteries.

(view large image)

Don’t forget the mouse

While the keyboard is the main attraction here, the Wave desktop set also includes a cordless laser mouse. Thoughtfully, it’s ambidextrous, something those oddball lefties can be happy about. It’s also well designed, matching the keyboard and including rubber grips on the sides, along with scroll wheel and front and back buttons. The mouse is powered by 2 AA batteries. Battery life is expected to be 6 months. There is a light on the mouse to indicate low battery levels.

Wave hello or goodbye?

We’re always skeptical when a package like this comes to market. All the promises rarely live up to the marketing hype. This time we’re pleasantly surprised. I’ve been on this keyboard and mouse combo for a few weeks and am very surprised. Everything works as it should, the keyboard is responsive and it didn’t take long to get my brain used to the layout. I can honestly say that after long bouts of typing my hands actually feel less cramped. And while I don’t have statistical data on this point, I actually feel like I’m typing faster and with less error. Results will vary of course, but for $90, this wireless bundle is worth checking out. A wired version is due out in October for $50.

Pros:

• Ergonomic design is surprisingly comfortable and easy to use
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• USB receiver is a little large
• Palm rest shows wear almost instantly

 

Very interesting keyboard and nice review!

I'll ponder getting one of these for the notebook's "docking station" but I am assuming it would be annoying having to switch back and forth between using the laptop's keypad (while away) and using the ergonomic keyboard while docked.

 

Nice review. Its good to hear that the keyboard was quickly learnabale. I am sad to see a seemingly "basic" mouse (by today's standards) included. Though, as a "lefty" I have never been big on left handed mousing.

 

I'm certainly going to be waiting to hear about the wired version! Will it be the same exact design?

 

Yes, it's the same keyboard, but it uses a wired USB connection. It's actually listed for pre-order on Amazon.com right now.

 

Awesome! Definitely will pick up a WIRED version when it comes out in Sept! /ditches his Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.. or will he?

 

My personal experience: choosing a keyboard is like buying a pair of shoes. You've got to see it, feel it, try it. I looked at online reviews and ended up buying online... and returning the product.

I then went to Fry's and Office Depot and these stores have them all on display. After a few minutes, it was obvious the perfect keyboard for my hands and style was the Microsoft 6000 Wireless Desktop.

Try them out at a store, you'll be glad you did.

 

Nice review.
Working distace? Receiver glitches?

 

Agreed. You really can't tell if a keyboard is perfect for you unless you can mess with it or see it working in a live environment.

One thing that Brian didn't mention in his review is that the keys on the Wave are a little loud. They aren't horrible, but I never thought Brian was a loud typist until he started using the Wave. He was a much quieter typist when he was using his old Microsoft Elite keyboard. So, if quiet typing is important to you then you might think the Wave is too loud.

That said, I really do like this keyboard and I'm considering getting a wired version in a couple of months.

 

dz - working distance was 24-36 inches, probably about normal, no glitches or lag at all.

 

As I'm not at all familiar with wireless keyboard/mouse setups, do both devices work off of the one USB receiver that's included in the package? What I hear is that bluetooth is already on its way out as far as peripherals such as these are concerned. All the RF devices I see work on the 2.4Ghz band and am wondering, does this not cause interference - as is sometimes the case with having a 2.4Ghz cordless telephone in the same room as your wireless internet connection?

I have never bought into all this wireless hype and still prefer to speak on a wired telephone when available (and a storm is not present outside). I would be interested to know why some of you are more interested in the upcoming wired version. I thought I was some sort of old-fashioned luddite, and even the Best Buy employee I spoke with today in the computer department raised an eyebrow when I inquired about their selection of wired keyboards. As it turned out, there was only a single wired keyboard of their own Dynex brand situated on the lowest shelf, behind all the other products. Wires are now relegated to the shadows!

 

How well does the design work for gaming?? The mouse looks pretty solid, but do the key depths (ASDW) feel ok when gaming?

 

Pilot - I'm not a big gamer on the PC, so I didn't test it wuite like that. But I imagine it's the same really...once you get used to the layout I don't see it being an issue.

Rowen - I love wireless, less clutter on the desktop. Bluetooth is going to be with us for a long time still, this setup is actually better though if you ask me. Sure yo have to add the dongle, but the ease of setup and reliability is higher.

 

Actually it was the Logitech Wave that opened up my eyes to ergonomic keyboard and last week I purchased a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. I've been using it since and it feels pretty damn nice. I don't think the Wave will challenge it for true ergonomics - the split keyboard and more radical design of the 4000 will definitely win out, but the Wave's also a bit more conventional, probably not as much of a typing learning curve - and people who drop by and type on your computer probably won't freak out either.

Ditch the 4000 for the Wave for comfort? Nah, but for convenience? Perhaps.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'wireless hype' exactly, but I think you'll agree that wireless is more convenient. I personally don't care about the keyboard, but for mice and phones, I prefer them wireless.

For keyboards and mice, I can see them moving to wireless USB, but only because it'll give them a common platform for wired and wireless peripherals. Bluetooth (especially v2) provides more than enough bandwidth for keyboards/mice and for mobile uses (especially mobile phones) the power footprint of Bluetooth will win out over wireless USB for the foreseeable future.

As for interference on the 2.4GHz band, there are definitely issues with simple RF communications, with cordless phones, Wi-Fi, microwaves and so forth polluting that spectrum, but Bluetooth (1.2 and beyond) is actually very resistant to interference, courtesy of its AFHSS (adaptive frequency hopping spread spectrum) feature. You can read more about that technology (which fundamentally is based on spread spectrum techniques, which were specifically designed to reduce interference on shared spectrum) here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency-hopping_spread_spectrum