Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550 With Keyboard and Laser Mouse (920-002555) Review
This is certainly a well made unit, and its ergonomic "wave" form really is pleasant when doing hours of writing, as is its rubbery, vaguely faux-leather rest for the heel of the hands. Having also just got the new Logitceh MK 320, I'd have to say it delivers very similar quality in most ways to this, and is probably a better wireless value for the average user. If you write all day, however, the MK 550 might have your name on it.
Like the 320, this is a breeze to set up: pull out the tabs under the pre-installed batteries, plug in the (super small) usb wireless receiver, and off you go. That's nice. (The included cd is for customizing some of the function keys and won't be used by many is my guess.)
The first thing you notice about this keyboard is how large it is, almost 50% bigger than the average wireless kb. Most of that room is used by the palm rest. If I was a perfect touch typist, this might be the ultimate kb; it seems to be designed with the pro typist in mind. But I'm merely ok, and one thing I've already noticed here is that the wave is a little disconcerting when you move your hands about a bit, as I do. The contours make it a bit odd coming down on a key at an angle. I find myself longing at times for the smaller, tighter, flatter setup of the 320. If I was a perfect typist who rarely looks at or moves my hands, that might not be the case. Which are you?
The mouse is much larger than the 320's mini-mouse, which bothered some reviewers here, but didn't faze my medium large hands. This is a heftier, contoured mouse and certainly feels more solid, with a smart pair of buttons for your thumb to go back and forth between the previous pages. (Without cookies on, this could be a negative, though...whoops, I accidentally lost my whole document!) My qualm with this mouse vs. the 320's is that you need to move it twice as far to take the cursor from one edge of the screen to the other. I prefer the tighter ranger of the smaller mouse, but many might prefer this mouse for its more standard size and contours.
All in all, as an ergonomic keyboard this is easier to use than a split kb for a new user, but the wave feel does take some getting used to for those who always use a flat kb. The back tabs also lift it up a fair bit, so much so that your hands are angled a little higher than the 320 or most kbs, which if one is typing all day might take more blood out of the hands than desired unless your desk sits very low. I find myself having to shake my hands out a bit more using the 550. But the keys have a nice travel, maybe a tad long but with a very nice spring to them, and they're a pleasure to type with.
The dedicated function buttons for wmp and your home page etc from the 320 are here too, mute and volume included, and a few extra ones as well. I like that feature a lot, as I listen to music all the time. Logitech designers, well done. Every kb needs those.
All told, I think this is a very fine keyboard for the serious, all-day typist. The mouse is also excellent. They're both quite solid and feel like they'll last for quite a few years. And if the promises are correct, battery life of over two years for both kb and mouse is pretty amazing. The wireless aspect makes life a lot easier as well; being able to lean back and use the kb in your lap for a while is a good option, especially if your back needs a rest now and then.
If you don't type too much, just for emails on occasion, I'd go for the smaller 320 kb/mouse combo at less than half the price. But for those who almost live at their computer and do hours of writing a day, the MK 550 could make your life a whole lot easier.
Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550 With Keyboard and Laser Mouse (920-002555) Feature
- Wave-design ergonomic keyboard with cushioned palm rest for exceptional typing comfort
- Contoured laser mouse with rubber grips gives you smooth, precise cursor control
- Virtually no battery changes ? up to three years of battery life for the keyboard and two years for the mouse* (* Keyboard and mouse battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions.)
- Powerful 2.4 GHz wireless connection with one tiny Unifying receiver that stays in your notebook
- Works with Windows-based PCs
Logitech Wireless Wave Combo Mk550 With Keyboard and Laser Mouse (920-002555) Overview
An ergonomically designed keyboard with a comfort wave design and a contoured laser mouse, the logitech wireless wave combo mk550 gives you a comfort curve without the learning curve.
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Customer Reviews
Logitech makes the BEST accessories, hands down. - ichor - PacNW, USA
Don't have an embarrassing moment like myself: the wireless receiver IS in the box...it's just so minuscule that it's a bit too easy to overlook. With that said, after realizing that I did indeed have all the pieces, it turns out that the size is perfect. I intend to keep this keyboard mouse set for my netbook, and the receiver can simply stay in the computer without worrying about some huge dongle hanging off of it. Perfect!
Installation went flawlessly on Windows XP - on my netbook, I decided to use the standard Windows drivers (didn't install the included CD), and while some of the functionality isn't present (configurable buttons on keyboard), all the basic stuff works very well.
I usually use a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard, and while it does have a more pronounced split than this Logitech, it isn't a huge deal, and I'll likely use the Logitech instead, since the feel, look, and noise is far superior.
Would definitely recommend. Personally, I haven't had a Logitech product not exceed my expectations in over a decade, which is saying a lot as companies continually attempt to sell cheaper products for more money...this hasn't been the case with Logitech.
Great product from a great company!
Started Off Great, But Barely Works After One Week! - Pamela V - Mississippi Gulf Coast
This thing is more trouble than it's worth: I'm glad I tested it more than a week before I made my decision and wrote the review..............
In the beginning the wireless keyboard and mouse seemed awesome. No more tugging on too-tight, tangled cords. And with an ergonomic, padded keyboard: I was in love!
But in a weeks time, this thing has gone from miraculous to mysterious and troublesome. In short, we're putting our basic-wired keyboard and mouse back on.
What happened? The mouse delays and stops, delays and stops, and disappears and goes from working fine to barely working. They keyboard also works great, then all of a sudden, gives me a delay when typing. And tonight - the keyboard took on a life of its own, typed two lines (a symbol) and changed the font size of my word processor document! No, there was nothing sticky or stuck in the keyboard, it still has that new car smell!
Things went wrong quick with this thing. I haven't got the patience to deal with a sluggish, delayed mouse that vanishes on a whim. I could live with the keyboard issues, despite the mysterious run-ons.
Perhaps I just received a lemon.
Comfortable with just the right spring to the keys - M. Kooiman - Richardson, TX USA
This keyboard and mouse were drop dead easy to setup and use. Pull the sticker off the USB transmitter and plug it in to a USB slot. Pull out the tab keeping the battery from making contact on the bottom of the keyboard and the bottom of the mouse and you are up and running. I didn't even both with unplugging the wired keyboard and mouse. I'm using a Lenovo W500 Thinkpad running Windows XP and everything worked without a hitch. I had expected to have to install a driver or something but nope.
How does it work? I have not detected any kind of lag from either the keyboard nor the mouse. The mouse moves smoothly over my desktop and is contoured to fit my somewhat largish hands (large for a woman - about the size of an average to small man's hand). The wheel works fine in scrolling the windows up and down and I like the forward and back buttons on the side of the mouse. The groove where your thumb rests is lined with a nonslip padding. If you are left handed, you can still use this mouse comfortably but might feel awkward using the forward and back buttons.
The keyboard, which I'm using as I type this review, is contoured as you can see in the pictures. The wrist pad is the same, nonslip material as is on the mouse and feels good under the heel of my hands. It has three levels that you can set the keyboard on - flat on the desk and two different raised hights. I have it set on the highest and am very comfortable. It has an enlarged delete key that I thought was odd at first but works well for the touch typest. I've played with the special programmed key and yes, the calculator button really does pop up the calculator, the media center button brought up iTunes (my default). The volume buttons worked straight out of the box as well (as expected). I really like the springiness of the keys and am reminded almost of the very first IBM keyboards that came with PCs in the 80s without the click.
When I am done for the day, I flip the keyboard over to turn it off to reserve battery power but it claims the battery will last for 3 years in the keyboard and 2 years in the mouse. Because they aren't physically attached to my docking station, I can easily take my mouse and keyboard with me to meetings and type in comfort with a full sized keyboard. I have t admit, several of my coworkers are jealous and will be buying their own soon.
*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 07, 2010 07:30:49
