Logitech Cordless MX Duo Review

Logitech Cordless MX Duo

MSRP $69.00

Score Details

DT Editors' Choice

“The Logitech Cordless MX Duo is a wireless desktop package that has won our hearts.”

Pros

Enhanced multimedia functions on keyboard
8 buttons on mouse

Cons

Short cord on Base Station
MX700 may be too bulky

Summary

The Logitech Cordless MX Duo is a wireless desktop package that has won our hearts. By combining the MX700 and the cordless Elite Keyboard, we were able to enjoy outstanding functionality, an aesthetically pleasing presentation, and a comfortable ergonomic design; all while cutting the cords. We believe that the competition will have a heck of a time putting together a wireless keyboard and mouse combination that can match the quality of the Logitech Cordless MX Duo. From the experienced to the novice, from the workhorse to the gamer, there is not one user that should pass up on the Logitech Cordless MX Duo.

Introduction

Logitech has been making keyboards and mice for many years now, and have become one of the industry leaders. The MX700 keyboard/mouse combination offers a wireless solution for users looking for a great cordless mouse and a low-profile, highly functional, multimedia keyboard.

Features

In the Logitech Cordless MX Duo package, Logitech has included the following (Taken from Logitech’s website):

– Logitech Cordless Elite Keyboard
– Logitech MX700 Cordless Optical Mouse
– Receiver/charging base
– AC power supply
– 2 NiMH rechargeable batteries for MX700
– 2 AA batteries for Cordless Elite Keyboard
– USB to PS2 Adapter
– CD with software, comfort guidelines, and user’s guide
– Quick Start Guide
– Wrist rest for keyboard

The MX700 is equipped with a sensor that is 80% larger than those found in previous mice and features a resolution of 800dpi. In order to increase the performance of the MX700, the MX Optical Engine can capture 4.7 Mega pixels of information per second. Logitech states that this is 60% more than other leading mice.

Fast RF cordless technology is used in the MX700, which allows the MX700 to provide the user with the same reporting ratio as found in any other USB mouse. The Fast RF cordless technology also allows the MX700 to have a higher transmission rate, which allows the user to experience smoother tracking, and lower latency time, which means that the MX700 responds quicker.

Other than offering high quality cordless and optical technology, the MX700 offers a nice set of unique features. Located above and below of the clickable scroll wheel, Logitech has included a cruise control scrolling system. The two cruise control buttons are intended to give the user an alternate way of scrolling through documents and web pages. The quick switch program selector, which is located right behind one of the cruise control buttons, allows the users to switch between open documents and active programs. The last feature the MX700 has to offer is two internet navigation buttons, which are located on the thumb side of the mouse. These two internet navigation buttons help the user move forward and backward between web pages

The cordless Logitech Elite Keyboard offers a sleek, stylish, zero-tilt degree design which compliments the looks of the MX700 cordless optical mouse. The cordless Elite Keyboard supplies users with enhanced multimedia functions for the web, applications, media files, and documents.

Features Continued…

On the far left hand side of the keyboard is Logitech’s iNav wheel, which works like the scroll wheel found on the MX700, a GO button, which allows the user to enter in a URL, and a back button.

The next set of included features on the cordless Elite Keyboard are communications buttons, which are located on the top left of the keyboard. These buttons allow the user to launch a web cam, launch an instant messaging application, launch an E-mail application, select the F-Lock (more on this later), and a button to put your computer in sleep mode.

The F-Lock function of the cordless Elite Keyboard allows the F keys to have enhanced functions, which could help improve user productivity. The enhanced F Key functions by default, from F1 to F12 are: new, reply, forward, send, undo, redo, print, save, my computer, my documents, my pictures, and my music.

Located at the top center of the keyboard, above the F keys are the Media Center controls. Users can control MP3s, CDs, and Videos using the Media Center Controls. Aside from a big volume control wheel, there are mute, play/pause, stop, next track, previous track, and media selector controls.

The last set of features found on the cordless Elite Keyboard is a set of Destination buttons. These buttons allow the user to open their favorites folder, open a search engine, launch the browser’s homepage, open a shopping site, and finally launch the iTouch website.

The final piece of hardware that is included is the base station/receiver. This acts as the communication point between the MX700 mouse and cordless Elite Keyboard to the computer. The base station also serves as a charging dock for the MX700.

Setup and Installation

Setting up the MX700 and cordless Elite Keyboard was not complicated at all. The MX700 comes equipped with two rechargeable AA NiMH batteries while the cordless Elite Keyboard needs only two regular AA batteries, which are also included. Logitech suggests that a full charge for the MX700 will take approximately 6 hours, and we recommend fully charging the MX700 before its first initial use.

The final step for setting up the hardware deals with the base station. The base station features a y-split type of cable that plugs both into the mouse port and the keyboard port. From the keyboard port, there is an extra plug which is used for the power adapter. Once the base is plugged in, the next step is to press the connect button on the base station and then press the connect button on the bottom of the MX700. After waiting for a 20 second period, press the connect button on the base station and then press the connect button on the bottom of the cordless Elite keyboard. Now your hardware is fully setup.

The next step is to install the software on the computer. The two pieces of software that Logitech ships with the package is their MouseWare software, which is used for the MX700, and iTouch software which is used for the cordless Elite Keyboard. The biggest advantage of installing the software is for customization of the 8 buttons found on the MX700 and customization of the enhanced multimedia keys found on the cordless Elite Keyboard. Both pieces of software also show the battery life of the hardware.

Testing and Performance

The MX700 is very unique on its design and button layout. Based on first initial impressions, the MX700’s bulky physical prominence and heavy feeling may turn certain users the other way. But we suggest that users not take those two facts into much consideration, as the performance of this mouse will make up for the little added bulk weight.

We were very happy with the actual physical design of the MX700. For those right handed users who rest their whole hand on the mouse, you will feel like the MX700 was made for your hand. The curves and thumb indentation on the mouse are to the shape of your hand, and total comfort is all that is felt when the whole hand is rested on the mouse.

Other than the physical presence that the MX700 will have on your desktop, the next unique feature of course is the 8 buttons. Along the left hand side of the MX700, right above the thumb indentation, are the two internet navigation buttons. These buttons were placed nicely and are very easy to reach and make use of.

Between the right and left main mouse buttons reside the clickable scroll wheel, the Cruise Control System, and the Quick Application Selector. The unique Cruise Control System, which is very useful for scrolling through long documents and web pages, cannot easily be accessed by all users. Located above and below the clickable scroll wheel, we feel that the Cruise Control System has too much of a gap between the two buttons for users to feel comfortable using these two buttons on a regular basis. For users who rest their whole hand on the mouse, the downward scrolling button of the Cruise Control System is located way too far back for index finger to go. And for users who do not rest their whole hand on the MX700, the upward scrolling button of the Cruise Control System is located too far forward.

The Quick Application Selector button, which is placed below the downward scrolling button of the Cruise Control System, may also be hard to make use of. For users who rest their whole hand on the MX700, they will find the same problem with the Quick Application Selector button as the problem found with the downward scrolling button; the Quick Application Selector button sits too far back. We found that it was very uncomfortable switching from the normal clicking position to the Quick Application Selector button on a regular basis.

The cordless Elite Keyboard, with its ultra-flat, zero-degree tilt design, was very comfortable to use. Logitech also includes an optional wrist rest for the keyboard, which we made use of. As mentioned earlier, the unique features of the keyboard are its additional multimedia functions.

The communication buttons, destination buttons, media center controls, and the iNav wheel are grouped in a logical manner. Each set of buttons and controls stand out and are clearly labeled. The extra buttons and controls are not too small, yet are not too big. The only drawback that we came across with the additional multimedia functions is the fact that the user has to train himself or herself to use the buttons. Since many of us are used to letting our mouse access certain programs and perform certain functions, we may tend to forget that the cordless Elite Keyboard offers those additional functions with only a reach away.

Two things we would also like to point out, first with the cordless Elite Keyboard, is that the last row of keys, going all the way across the keyboard, has a downward slant to them. This may or may not affect productivity in anyway, but the slanted keys were noticeable in our first few initial uses of the cordless Elite Keyboard. The second thing, which deals with the actual base station is the chord from the base station to the adapter is fairly short. A longer cord would have been nicer, as Logitech suggest that the base be placed 20cm away from other electronic devices. Users with compact desktops might find this hard to accomplish.

The cordless Elite Keyboard and the MX700 mouse performed very well throughout daily usage. Both proved to be very comfortable and very functional. Another aspect of this package that we would like to point out is the fact that this set is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, while also being ergonomically correct. The matching color scheme of the MX700, the cordless Elite Keyboard, and the base station gave off a sexy and elegant look.

Conclusions

Pros:

-Wireless

-Enhanced multimedia functions on keyboard

-8 buttons on mouse

-MX700 is rechargeable

-Matching color scheme

-Very comfortable

Cons:

-Short cord on Base Station

-MX700 may be too bulky

-Location of Cruise Control System on MX700

Summary

Editors' Recommendations