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View Full Version : Wanted: new keyboard and mouse

MarcLister
06-02-2008, 17:32
Hi all. I'm getting fed up with my Logitech MX1000. The charging base is getting hard to work with now. I will place the mouse in the charging base and I have to wiggle the mouse around for ages to get the charging process to start. It is also suffering from a very annoying dodgy clicking error. So I would like a WIRED mouse. I'm thinking the Razer Deathadder looks very nice but if I get this will it be OK on my wooden desk or should I get a mouse mat for it? If so, which one? A normal one or a specific Razer gaming one?

I also have a wireless (Bluetooth) Apple keyboard, 1st generation and it sometimes just blanks out on me and I'm waiting 30+ seconds for key presses to be registered. When it comes to the keyboard I have absolutely no idea what to get. I don't want a gaming one but again I would like a WIRED keyboard. I'm getting quite disillusioned with wireless keyboards and mice.

It would be nice, but not essential, to have a keyboard with backlit keys for when I'm on my PC in the early hours. As I understand it the Microsoft/Razer keyboard does this as well as the Saitek Eclipse model. Which one is best? And are these ergonomic keyboards any good or not worth it? Is the 1st gen Saitek Eclipse better than the 2nd gen or not?

From the pics the Microsoft/Razer keyboard looks huge. Is it? Are there any other better wired keyboards out there?

I will get the Razer Deathadder so I can spend about £20 on a mouse mat and £35-40 tops on a keyboard. Hope you can give me some ideas.
Mark
06-02-2008, 17:46
As a temporary solution, check the contacts on the bottom of the mouse, and if they look at all dirty (as in not shiny), clean them using a rubber (eraser). Check the contacts in the base too but be careful cleaning these. Make sure there's no dirt around the contacts and that they're sticking out a little so that the mouse makes good contact.

I have the same trouble with my DiNovo but it usually only takes a few seconds to get it to charge.
Dr. Z
06-02-2008, 17:47
I have a Logitech G11 - its made of pure win!

As for the mouse, my MX700 has died a death so as soon as I can afford to do so I will be buying a G5 to replace it.
MarcLister
06-02-2008, 17:50
As a temporary solution, check the contacts on the bottom of the mouse, and if they look at all dirty (as in not shiny), clean them using a rubber (eraser). Check the contacts in the base too but be careful cleaning these. Make sure there's no dirt around the contacts and that they're sticking out a little so that the mouse makes good contact.

I have the same trouble with my DiNovo but it usually only takes a few seconds to get it to charge.Good call! ;D Edit: worked first time when I place mouse in charging base. :)

I have a Logitech G11 - its made of pure win!

As for the mouse, my MX700 has died a death so as soon as I can afford to do so I will be buying a G5 to replace it.Hmm G11, don't know that. Will check it out. Still getting a Razer Deathadder! :D
Marmoset
06-02-2008, 17:55
I've got a Razer Copperhead on a laminate surface and it works perfectly. It's an excellent mouse with different profiles so I can switch between normal use and a gaming setup. :cool:
MarcLister
06-02-2008, 17:56
So without a mouse pad?
LeperousDust
06-02-2008, 19:41
Hmmmm i know you're now a wireless hater, but i'm using the bluetooth wireless entertainment desktop 7000 from Microsoft, and its never dropped and is totally impeccable. The 8000 series is even more sheik...

//No input at all
MarcLister
06-02-2008, 19:48
Not a wireless hater...yet! Just a bit fed up. I'm very close to my monitor (geographically not sexually! :D) and it has 2 USB ports so mouse and keyboard could be plugged into that. Or if I get a keyboard with a USB hub, the mouse could plug into that and the keyboard into the monitor so I still have a spare socket for pen drives etc.

So that takes care of possible cable length problems if there are any. The keyboard could go into the back of the PC and the mouse as well.
Flibster
06-02-2008, 22:02
I've got a Logitech MX Revolution *replacement for my MX1000 which has ended up at work* Love it. Not sure if there's a wired version of it though. Superb mouse. :D

Keyboard wise, Microsoft Natural 4000. One of the best and also one of the cheapest ergonomic keyboards there is.
MarcLister
06-02-2008, 22:12
Keyboard wise, Microsoft Natural 4000. One of the best and also one of the cheapest ergonomic keyboards there is.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/97577 ?
Matblack
06-02-2008, 22:49
Love my Dinovo Laser :)

MB
Flibster
06-02-2008, 23:27
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/97577 ?

Thats the bunny. :D
Mondo
07-02-2008, 00:21
I've got a Logitech MX Revolution *replacement for my MX1000 which has ended up at work* Love it. Not sure if there's a wired version of it though. Superb mouse. :D

Keyboard wise, Microsoft Natural 4000. One of the best and also one of the cheapest ergonomic keyboards there is.

I have both !!! only use the mouse thou, the desk is not big enough for the natural keyboard :(
Muban
07-02-2008, 00:29
I have the Diamondback 3G. I loves it. I've never found wireless mice as good as a wired but that's just me. i don't have a mousemat for mine and never had any problems. I also find it really comfortable, most mice feel too large and unweilding for me. This one is juuuussst riiiiight /goldilocks mode off :)
Marmoset
07-02-2008, 00:51
So without a mouse pad?
No mouse pad here but it's laminate rather than wood so I don't know if that makes a difference. :confused:

As for wired/wireless - I've tried a lot of different mice and I've always found that wireless ones are OK for general use but they're too heavy for gaming.
MarcLister
07-02-2008, 01:14
Hmm yeah I can quite agree with that.
Flibster
07-02-2008, 23:38
So without a mouse pad?

I don't use a mouse mat either. I've got one of those self heal cutting mats. :D Works great for optical mice as it's got a little texture on it.

When gaming - £3 teftlon sheet from Sainsburys. :D

Me? Cheap? YUP!
Stan_Lite
08-02-2008, 15:49
I love my G5 mouse, which I use without a pad - I find it good for gaming and for general use.

Keyboard, I heartily recommend the Enermax Aurora. Looks bloody good and nice and comfortable to use. It's not backlit though.

Edit: Oops, forgot it was above your limit.
MarcLister
08-02-2008, 15:53
Hey Bigstan. Haven't seen that before. Looks nice on Scan. Really like the idea of an audio socket and a USB hub.

Silly question but if I get a keyboard that plugs in using USB will I be able to use the keyboard in my BIOS? My current Apple keyboard uses Bluetooth, which hasn't loaded by the time I'm in the BIOS meaning I have to keep an old PS/2 keyboard for fiddling with the BIOS.
Stan_Lite
08-02-2008, 16:39
Hey Bigstan. Haven't seen that before. Looks nice on Scan. Really like the idea of an audio socket and a USB hub.

Silly question but if I get a keyboard that plugs in using USB will I be able to use the keyboard in my BIOS? My current Apple keyboard uses Bluetooth, which hasn't loaded by the time I'm in the BIOS meaning I have to keep an old PS/2 keyboard for fiddling with the BIOS.

I've never used the audio sockets but I've heard they're not the best quality, although they're apparently fine for skype etc. The USB ports work fine.

USB keyboard should work at the BIOS (mine does) although, not always on a new build (i.e. first time in) I always keep a PS2 keyboard handy just in case. Once the machine has been booted up and it recognises the keyboard, you shouldn't have any problems :)
MarcLister
08-02-2008, 16:42
OK thanks Bigstan. I'm quite liking the Microsoft Natural 4000 recommended by flibster. :D
Feek
09-02-2008, 11:38
I use the Microsoft Natural 4000 at work and I used to have one at home a well, I only dumped the one at home in favour of a Logitech G15 when my N52 wouldn't work with Vista (the only piece of hardware I have which isn't supported). If I could find another programmable gaming pad type thing then I'd probably go back to the 4000, althugh I have got quite used to the LCD on the G15..