Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000
The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is a wireless keyboard and keypad set that works great with its ergonomic design just for frequent users to help physically keep you in top form while typing.
Ease of Use, Performance: 21/25
Look & Feel: 23/25
Features 22/25
How much I enjoy 21/25
Total: 87/100
The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is a wireless keyboard that comes in a two piece ergonomic set that does not include a Bluetooth dongle. This is the one part that you either have to plan ahead for or already have on your system so when you unpackage the keyboard you'll be ready to go.
The Mobile Keyboard 6000 is not a fully typical ergonomic keyboard but a well designed one for both simplicity and ease of use for a well made keyboard and keypad set. Both the keyboard and keypad have a battery compartment on the back along with an on/off switch and a connection switch.
The keyboard uses two AAA batteries while the keypad uses one AAA battery in the rear compartment that opens with a small slide on the back for simple installation on both pieces. The set does not come with a Bluetooth dongle but these are built into many laptops and available many places such as Wal-Mart.
The keypad is your normal size at 4 by 5.25 inches and about a half inch thick while the keyboard itself is 6.5 by 14 inches and the same 1/2 inch thick. The keyboard and keypad have low battery indicators, the bottom power and connection features and the usual keys for a regular keyboard and keypad.
Connecting and using the keyboard and keypad is simple using either Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 and the commonly used Broadcom software. I downloaded the IOGear device drivers for Vista and had no problems using them with my Windows Vista system but I was having problems using the IOGear software with Windows 7.
I could not install the IOGear software and ended up going to Broadcom and using their WIDCOMM Bluetooth software downloaded from their website. This has nothing to do with the keyboard itself but the Bluetooth dongle drivers and I did not have any problems getting the Microsoft keyboard or keypad connected with any of my computers.
Connecting is as easy as having to add just about any Bluetooth device from the Bluetooth Devices page either in the Control Panel of Vista or the Bluetooth Devices from the task bar of Windows. Once you click the back button and the program senses the device it will have you input a number and press enter which will connect the device and finish the connection process.
Once connected and for the first use if the keyboard or keypad has not been used for awhile you will have to tap a key or two for the keyboard to start working on screen. Once you have started typing or using the keys you will have no problem continuing to use the keyboard.
Usually after an hour or two of not using any of the keys or inputs I have found that you will have to hit a key or two to wake things up but during the day even taking a half hour break does not seem to affect this wakeup. Using the keyboard and keypad on a daily basis was great and I think I enjoy using this ergonomic design a bit better than my usual inline keyboards.
Usually with keyboards and mice it just takes a few days to get used to a new peripheral and with the Microsoft 6000 this was no different with the curved feature of the keyboard. Using the keyboard for my regular typing during daily use I found I did not have what seemed as much fatigue after a long day of intense typing as I would with my normal keyboards.
This is more of a subjective call and not one I would rely on as I am not quite sure if the keyboard curve or the general idea of using an ergonomic keyboard is the cause of more comfortable typing. The keyboard worked well in my office and was just as comfortable using on the road, as it were, actually on my couch or in other parts of my house.
I also connected the keyboard and mouse pad to a laptop using the same IOGear dongle and had no problem using the keyboard on my lap and on other varying surfaces. I enjoyed the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile 6000 with its thin curved ergonomic design and had no problems having to use the device daily for both general typing and even gaming.
I enjoyed using the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 with its thin and ergonomic design and will continue to use it till my next keyboard review. Higher accolade cannot be had by me when I continue to use the product after the review and this is one of the best keyboards I have reviewed to date.
I highly recommend the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile 6000 keyboard for a great and comfortable keyboard for both at home or office use and on the road. The Bluetooth design of the Mobile 6000 means no wires and easily makes the keyboard a great mobile device for use with your notebook.