Cordless keyboard, mouse revisited

By now you know that if you ever have to replace your existing mouse with a new one, you will need to check out a couple of important things.

Firstly and most importantly, it has to be an optical mouse. That means that there is no ball and rollers that will pick up dust and sludge from the mouse pad surface. An optical mouse uses an optical sensor to register all the movements as you push it around. This does not mean that you can use it on a rough and varnished desk top. You still have to use a mouse pad if you want the mouse to have a long and useful life.

Second, if your budget allows it, choose a cordless model. The prices of these range from around Rp 300,000 to Rp 1.6 million (US$199). Once you have tried a cordless mouse, you will no longer want to go corded.

There are also cordless mice for notebooks. However, check whether it has an On/Off button. My Targus cordless mouse, for example, does not have this. One day when I took it out of my traveling bag, the batteries were already dead. It turned out that during the trip the start-up button had been accidentally pressed, thus draining the juice out of the two AA alkaline batteries I had put in it. The expensive $199 Logitech Cordless Presenter, on the other hand, has such a button. Of course, if there is no power button available, you can always take out the batteries before you stow it in one of the pockets inside your notebook carry bag.

Another downside of using a cordless mouse with your notebook is that if you lose the receiver/transmitter dongle or leave it at home, the mouse will be useless. So, make sure you always have both the transceiver and the mouse all the time. Otherwise, just use a corded USB mouse on the road. If this is your choice, I can recommend BenQ's mini mouse, it comes with a strong, not easily tangled cord. It feels nice in the palm, as well.

Remember that you should try a couple of different models of mouse before making your choice. Some, especially the cheaper ones, have stiff mouse buttons that are hard to click or a loose scroll wheel. Pick out the one that gives you the most comfort.

Unlike a cordless mouse, a cordless keyboard may not have as many competitive advantages over a corded ones. Unless, of course, you have a habit of pushing your director's reclining chair way back, putting your feet up on your desk and placing the keyboard in your lap. This is unlikely to be a habit of highly productive executives, however.

Still, companies such as Logitech and Microsoft are selling cordless keyboards. Almost all of them use radio frequencies to communicate with the transceiver that is attached directly to your PC or Mac. The old wireless technology, which uses infrared signals, requires that the keyboard has to be right in front of the PC -- much like your TV's remote control.

A better choice is the bundled cordless keyboard and cordless mouse. Top of the line is, perhaps, the DiNovo Media Desktop from Logitech. Hold your breath, as the price is $250. It includes the MX900 Bluetooth Mouse that we reviewed here recently and the Bluetooth hub/recharger.

When choosing a cordless keyboard, though, the old rule still applies. Find the one that has the feel that makes you most comfortable. This, of course, is a matter of personal taste. So, before you hand your credit or debit card to the cashier, go test as many different makes and models of keyboard as you can.

And, then, after you install the drivers and software, make sure you keep the CD that comes inside the box in a safe place. You are bound to need it again later. -- Zatni Arbi