Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set
A revolutionary advance in keyboard design, the Logitech Wave key design instinctively guides your hands into a natural position for enhanced comfort and productivity. The cushioned palm rest provides extra support and can help reduce fatigue, and one-touch hot keys provide easy access to many Windows Vista features, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets. Programmable F-keys can instantly open your favorite applications, games, folders, and web pages. Featuring soft-rubber side grips, the cordless laser mouse delivers exceptional comfort and precision. Both keyboard and mouse provide ultra-long battery life, and convenient LED battery indicators alert you when batteries need changing.
Logitech is touting an advancement in comfort and usability design with its ergonomic, cross-platform Cordless Wave keyboard. There might be some marketing hyperbole to this claim, but after a week of typing with the Wave, I'm not sure that I could live without it. (This Cordless Desktop Wave also includes the ambidextrous LX8 scroller laser mouse.) Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Wave includes an elevated palm rest, though not as extreme as the platforms of old. It's also covered in a lightly padded vinyl upholstery that feels soft yet firm under the wrist, as well as a Goldilocks amount of tackiness (i.e., not too slippery, not sticky, just right). The keys are also positioned in a gentle U-shaped arc that nearly escapes the eye, but is apparent once you set your wrists down and start typing. 
Contoured, wave-shaped key design conforms naturally to your fingers. |
But the biggest design innovation that the Wave introduces comes from its name--the keys undulate across the board in a wave-shaped contour that mimics the changing lengths in your own digits. The keys are at their highest on the outside at the A and Enter keys (which, if you're a touch typist, is where your little fingers are positioned), and the keys trough to their lowest point at D and K (where the longer middle finger resides) before rising slightly at the G and H keys. The keys have a maximum distance variation of 4mm, and the spacebar mimics the wave contour of the keyboard design. As someone who writes for a living, my computer keyboard is one of the most important tools I have and one that I'm connected to for hours every day. I've gone through many models over the years to get just the right one, and I currently use the Matias Tactile Pro on my Mac as it provides some of the best keystroke feedback I've found (which is the polar opposite to the frustratingly squishy keyboards that came with my HP and Apple PCs). While the rolling contour of the keyboard layout was barely perceptible, my fingertips took to the Wave easily. It felt like each key was indeed designed specifically to fit the finger that was mapped to tap it. And the keys combine a springy action with a final tap that's not too loud, but both tactile and audible enough for instant feedback. As my week of testing progressed and my fingers grew more accustomed to the Wave, I actually felt as if my typing was both more accurate than on the Tactile Pro as well as a touch faster. From an ergonomic standpoint, the Wave's gradual curve isn't immediately noticeable, but after a few days I found my elbows weren't hunched next to my body as they were with the straight keyboard, freeing both wrists and shoulders from strain. That said, if you require more substantial ergonomics for your typing (such as the curve and height of the Microsoft Natural), you might be disappointed by the relative flatness of the Wave. 
The Delete key has been elongated and the Insert/Help key moved above.. |
The Wave has a fairly standard extended keyboard design, with one change that I cheered but could easily be jeered by others. The Home/Delete/End/Page Up & Down keys is switched to a vertical orientation, and the bane of my typing life--the Insert key (also the Help key on the Mac), which I often hit mistakenly when hunting for the Delete key--has been moved up (moving into the Scroll Lock key position) and replaced by an elongated Delete key. Another handy feature is onscreen notification of when you hit the Caps Lock key (another one of my touch typing transgressions). The keyboard is supplemented by a plethora of system-specific feature buttons--including Flip 3D, Gadgets and Media Center in Windows Vista (aka, Expose, Dashboard, and Front Row on the Mac)--as well as quick access to your selected audio program and full playback controls (including volume). All functions can be customized using the included Logitech Setpoint utility (or Control Center within the Mac's System Preferences). The Desktop Wave package is completed with the inclusion of the symmetrically designed LX8 laser scroller mouse, which can be used by either righties or lefties. The comfortably curved sides are supplemented by a rubbery finish that's easily gripped. It's more compact than the Microsoft Intellimouse we've been using, though just a bit heftier. That said, it glided easily over our desk's surface and was very precise once we configured the tracking speed. Both mouse and keyboard connect to your PC via a wireless USB dongle that looks like a flash thumbdrive. Its small size makes it easy to pack along with the mouse for work while on the go, and it also comes with a dock for desktop use. Both mouse and keyboard are powered by two AA batteries. When I began reviewing the Cordless Wave, I wasn't looking for a new keyboard. But thanks to its excellent typing action, unique comfort features--from the contoured design of the keys to the padded wrist rest--and the plethora of customizable functions right at the tip of the finger, it's time to part ways with my old keyboard. --Agen G.N. Schmitz Pros: - Innovative contoured design of the keys conform naturally to your finger lengths, excellent typing action
- Padded vinyl wrist rest adds soft comfort and allows easy movement
- Loads of function and multimedia buttons, all customizable using included software
- Cross-platform, including compatibility with special features in Windows Vista
- Laser mouse is symmetrically designed, for use by both righties and lefties
Cons:- Shifting of some keys might annoy some, but delight others
- Might seem flat to those who need more substantial ergnomics
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set Accessories
 Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
Logitech MX Revolution Cordless Laser Mouse
Cables To Go 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub
Acer AL2216Wbd 22" LCD Monitor - Black
Logitech Alto Express Notebook Stand
Logitech Wave Keyboard
Logitech Cordless Desktop Comfort Laser
Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman (USB/PS/2)
Belkin F8E262-BLK WaveRest Gel Mouse Pad (Black)
Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set Reviews
This items is certainly worth them money. If you are looking for an inexpensive keyboard that is easy to install and of reasonable quality, this is a good deal
This keyboard works smoothly and efficiently with most laptops I have tried it on. It shipped fast and ahead of schedule. The one drawback of it, is it is a little large and finding a place for it on a medium to small desk will be a problem.
Very good keyboard, good feel & look. I also liked the wrist pad. Haven't used mouse yet.
Within about 5 minutes I was ready to go. Media buttons do not work in Foobar (my media player of choice). This is especially nice for people like me with very small hands. It's not really an issue, just a bit of a learning curve. So, to summarize:. This is simply my first bit of impression of it. Quiet.
I can set my frequently visited web pages to certain keys, have my music pop up with the click of one button, as well as switching between programs without having to go with alt+tab. None that I've found. Quieter than any other keyboard I've used before. Easy on smaller hands.
I like the amount of customization that I'm able to do. Back and forward buttons are comfortable to use. Great for small hands. Note: I'm a woman with very small hands. -Mouse Pros-.
Tracks excellently. Over all, EXCELLENT. The mouse is fantastic. Comfortable. Have not done it accidentally, but it's very comfortable to use them.
-Keyboard Cons-. I love that it's much smaller than my previous mouse, so it fits really well in my hand. -Mouse Cons-. One thing that is a bit inconvenient is the fact that the media buttons do not work in Foobar (which is my media player of choice).
Comfortable. It's much more comfortable than my last Logitech set (LX700), but that comes with it being 5 years newer. I just got this set yesterday and have really been enjoying it. For me, it's actually easier. Actually, if you'll notice, the laser is angled in such a way as to be effectively centered even though it doesn't appear to be at first glance. The keyboard seems to be nice and quiet, even for a very fast typist like me.
Also, I've found that it tracks really really well. I read one reviewer who said that "the problem was obvious when you noticed that the laser is high up and covered partly by plastic". It's difficult getting used to the new placement of the home, end, delete, page up, and page down buttons, but this is not the only keyboard nowadays that has this. Also, I found the software to be very easy to install and use.
If necessary, I will come and amend this review once I've had more time to use it. Scrolls smoothly in all directions. I don't understand those who have complained about the placement of the forward and back buttons.
I have a very small shift (instead of having to completely move my thumb, which was uncomfortable) and bam, the button's been clicked. I can only speak from my own perspective and let you interpret how to use my experiences. Extremely customizable.
This isn't really a big deal considering I normally just set my music and minimize the player for several hours. Home, end, delete, page up, and page down buttons are placed differently than standard (a feature not exclusive to this keyboard). -Keyboard Pros-.
I love not having wires over my desk. I highly recommend this. I did not bother to find out all the magical things it can do as all I want to do with it is bype and type fast. This is silly but one of the things I love most is the plastic cover. It does that well. The typing is louder, which is okay with me. I recently purchased this Logitech wave keyboard after reading reviews here.
Decided this time to try the Logitech. It is so easy to use I set it up in about a minute (maybe 2). Other people in their reviews talk of the size of the keyboard as being so large. The keys move easily, and I can type as fast as I think and I am extremely pleased. After a Microsoft ergonomic, this is quite a bit smaller. In the last 15 yewrs I've had probably 5 Microsoft ergonomic keyboards and been very satisfied. I no longer have cat hairs between my keys.
|
