Product Description
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave has uniform-size keys cradle your fingers, while the curved keyboard promotes a more ergonomically correct hand position. The high-performance laser mouse features contoured sides and soft rubber grips for unmatched precision. One-touch controls give you direct access to many of the new features in Windows Vista, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery and Gadgets. Programmable F-keys add instant access to applications, games, folders and Web pages. A cushioned palm rest encourages a relaxed position for typing. Contoured sides and soft rubber grips add support and ease of use Keep headphone cords out of the way by routing them through the channel on the underside of the keyboard Easy access to Windows Vista - Large, one-touch controls give you direct access to key Windows Vista features, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery and Gadgets Instant media access - Use the convenient one-touch controls for volume and media playback; dedicated button starts Media Center or Front Row Programmable F-keys - Get instant access to favorite applications, games, folders, and Web pages with customizable F-keys Longer battery life - Enjoy extended battery life up to 15 months for the keyboard and 6 months for the mouse Battery status lights - On both the keyboard and mouse alert you when power is getting low Cordless freedom - End cable clutter with fast, reliable Logitech wireless technology High-performance Laser Mouse - Experience unmatched precision and control on surfaces where ordinary optical mice can't go System Requirements - Windows XP, Windows Vista, Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later, Internet connection for software download, USB port and CD-ROM drive
Amazon.com Product Description
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
Customer Reviews:
Easily one of the best productivity investments I've ever made!.......2007-12-30
I have to tell you first off that I am not an employee of Logitech.... I know, pretty suspicious to start with that, right? The reason I say that is because this will be one of the most glowing reviews I've ever written about any product...
I just got back from Circuit City (about 3 hours ago). I purchased this keyboard and decided to install it before going to bed.
In short, I'm stunned by what this keyboard can do. All I can say is that I've just begun using it and was so excited at the increase in my productivity I jumped online immediately to write this review. I know, how in the world can I possibly know that a silly keyboard could improve my productivity... and especially after just a few hours using it? In short, it's THAT good...
One thing you should know is that most of the sales copy you'll see about this little guy comes nowhere near describing the EXPERIENCE of using this keyboard. So let me try to fill in the gaps... I'll start with the features and save the EXPERIENCE for last.
First off, this thing has 17 programmable buttons. Yes, 17! The F1 - F10 keys have a complete 2nd set of programmable functions. You can program them to do whatever you want. But by default they have icons screen-printed on them to "pre-assign" them to common functions: F1) Launch MS Word (or your word processor) F2) Launch Excel (or your spreadsheet program) F3) Launch your calendar view (typically in Outlook) F4) Launch a program of your choosing (1) F5)) Launch a program of your choosing (2) F6) Launch a program of your choosing (3) F7)Launch Internet Explorer F8) Launch your Instant Messenger program F9) Launch your email view F10) Perform a web search on any term or phrase you've highlighted in any program (a super-powerful feature ).
That's just the beginning. There are also large programmable buttons around the main keys. They do things like Zoom in and out, Launch Yahoo Widgets, Launch your photo viewer / organizer, launch your media player, and launch your calculator. Plus there's a complete set of media controller buttons (volume up/down, stop, play/pause, next track, last track, mute).
I mentioned the buttons are all programmable, but here's one of the really sweet aspects of this keyboard. Once you've installed the included software, Logitech successfully configures the buttons for the default operations. The button for Word successfully launches Word. The one for Excel launches Excel. The one for Calendar brings up the calendar view of Outlook. The one for email brings up the email view in Outlook. Plus, all the media controls actually work! Talk about a thing of beauty.
Now, for those of you who love total control and customizeability (I know that's not a word) you're going to love this: Remember I said the buttons are programmable? What that means is that you get this super easy-to-use software utility from Logitech that lets you customize the buttons to no end. You can customize them to: 1) Open a Web page; 2) Launch a program; 3) Open a file; 4) Open a folder; 5) Execute a keystroke combination; 6) Do nothing; 7) Perform one of the default tasks that had been assigned to other keys; 8) Show a custom menu.
I want to highlight one of these options in particular:
8) Show a custom menu:
Here you can group common programs and Web pages you use and have them pop-up in a single menu to choose from (similar to the menu that pops up when right-clicking an icon). How would you use this? Well, let's say you do all your finances on your computer and you use three banking Web sites, and run Quicken and Quickbooks. You could group all these items into one pop-up menu, then, when it's time to do finances, you hit that button and select the program or Web page to launch as needed.
Or if you're a Web Designer, you could group all your common Web development tools and resources into one of these custom menus to pop-up and select the program or reference site you need. The possibilities are darn near endless.
The Logitech software utility has one other really nice feature: You can turn off buttons that you never use -- like that pesky Insert key! Does ANYONE ever use that thing?
OK, now for the really cool part: The EXPERIENCE: Imagine this:
You wake up or get to work and start up your computer. With a single keypress the first thing you do is launch your media player and put on your favorite album -- maybe something to help you stay focused. You quickly use the
-
(there's a picture of an envelope on the
key) to launch your email program. As you begin deleting all the SPAM messages, you hear co-workers arriving so you quickly tap the volume button to lower the volume. Virtually no break in concentration. A few minutes later the phone rings -- you click the mute button on your keyboard to silence the music. Once the call's over, you hit it again to unmute it (again without having to switch to your media player program). You open an email from your boss and notice she's written it in that microscopic 7pt Times New Roman font again. Why does she do that? No problem, two taps of the "Zoom in" key and the text is easily readable. Hmmm... she's asking you if you've heard anything about the new "iPod Micro"? Heck if you know! You quickly highlight the "iPod Micro" text in her email then hit the One-Touch Search combo. Google (or whatever search engine you want) launches with the search results already displayed. No need to copy the text THEN launch Google THEN paste your text THEN hit enter. One function key combo and it's done. You find out the product's going to be unveiled in three weeks and the thought goes through your mind that you should set a reminder on your calendar to check the Web again in 3 weeks.... but.... the very thought of navigating to the calendar view in Outlook seems like such a nuissance for such a small task... ahhhhh... no problem again. You hit your Calendar shortcut combo and you're taken directly to Calendar view in Outlook and quickly key in the reminder (and remember, you can program it to launch a different program if you don't use Outlook for tasks).... on and on it goes with you living happily ever after (well, you get the point).
Oh, I should also mention the comfort of this little beast. It's exquisite. The key presses are supple, soft yet firm (not a contradiction if you're picky about your keyboard!), quiet, and beautifully dampened in their action and return. The wrist rest is one of the best I've seen by far. And the ergonomic fit of this thing is perfect. In case you haven't figured it out by now, I'm also an engineer, and I've been waiting and waiting and waiting for an ergonomic keyboard that doesn't take an extreme approach to revamping the keyboard. This is a beautiful blend of ergonomic design and classic keyboard layout.
This keyboard comes oh so close to being 100% perfect -- but, alas, I have one gripe. Logitech must've had trouble squeezing in all the keys because they had to change the layout of the Insert | Home | Page Up | Delete | End |Page Down key cluster -- this is the cluster of keys just above the arrow keys. Instead of two rows of three keys it is two colums of three keys (actually the Insert key has been moved out of this cluster -- a good thing -- and the Delete key now spans the size of two keys). Seems like a major thing initially, but you'll get the hang of the new layout. Definitely worth enduring the small re-training of your brain to reap all the other benefits of this gem.
FYI: I use XP Pro. Best to check the other reviews for its performance on Vista. Oh, and even though I bought the mouse and keyboard set, I didn't intend to use the mouse, so I can't comment on that -- the keyboard alone is worth $90.
Great Keyboard.......2007-12-29
Layout is very comfortable to use. Works great. Had no problems setting up. Would recommend this Keyboard to anyone looking for a keyboard for their laptop computer. Mouse also is comfortable and works with no problems.
GREAT keyboard!.......2007-12-26
I love this keyboard & mouse! The best design I have EVER used & I have only had it less than a week. Quiet, nice touch. WONDERFUL!!!
I have tried several keyboards for Carpal Tunnel, ergonomic designs, all have made the pain in my hands worse, but not this one.
I am so glad I found this keyboard, I highly recommend it.
Mouse is not great.......2007-12-19
Although I like the way the mouse fits my hand, I inadvertently click the "browser back" button constantly with my thumb. Also, when highlighting text, the mouse has a disturbing tendency to shift focus when I let go, so that I end up typing over text I wanted to keep instead of the portion I intended to delete.
Receiver range is horrible.......2007-12-10
I gave up on my apple wireless keyboard and purchased the wave hoping it'll take care of my wrist problems. I have the receiver on the desk but I still get key drops while typing. I've tried moving the receiver around but haven't found a solution yet. Logitech FAQs mentions the following: Any electrical device, such as the computer monitor, Zip drives, speakers, etc., can cause interference with Logitech cordless products. WHAT!? Of course I have monitors and speakers on the desk. I might have to try the microsoft natural keyboards since logitech isn't working out. I wish there are more manufacturers for keyboards.
Product Description
Wireless Desktop - Logitech Wave Keyboard & Mouse
Get more done, with more comfort. The Logitech® Cordless Desktop Wave™ is the exciting new shape of comfort in desktops. Uniform-size keys cradle your fingers, while the curved keyboard promotes a more ergonomically correct hand position. Also built for comfort, the high-performance laser mouse features contoured sides and soft rubber grips for unmatched precision and control.
One-touch controls give you direct access to many of the new features in Windows Vista™, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets. Programmable F-keys add instant access to applications, games, folders and Web pages. A cushioned palm rest encourages a relaxed position for typing.
Comfort
- Wave key design: Contoured, wave-shaped key design conforms naturally to your fingers.
- Constant Curve design: A curved profile and uniform-size keys promote an ergonomically correct, more comfortable hand position. Start enjoying the benefits instantly, without having to re-learn typing on a different keyboard layout.
- Cushioned, contoured palm rest: The soft surface encourages a relaxed position for long typing sessions.
- Adjustable keyboard height: Use the three-way tilt legs to set the height to suit your personal style.
- Comfortable mouse design: Contoured sides and soft rubber grips add support and ease of use.
- Audio cable management: Keep headphone cords out of the way by routing them through the channel on the underside of the keyboard.
Control and Convenience
- Easy access to Windows Vista™: Large, one-touch controls give you direct access to key Windows Vista™ features, including Flip 3D, Zoom, Photo Gallery, and Gadgets.
- Instant media access: Use the convenient one-touch controls
Customer Reviews:
This keyboard rocks!.......2007-09-25
I am so in love with this keyboard and mouse! Logitech has really outdone themselves here! The keyboard is bigger than I anticipated and has plenty of room at the bottom to rest your wrists.Extreamly comfortable,quiet(no clicking keys) and spacious,the cadillac of keyboards!The best part of all,NO MISSED KEY STROKES!! I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to finally be able to type at full speed without having to worry about missing keys! This keyboard replaced a wireless Kensington that forever gave me headaches with missed key strokes.The mouse is equally well made,precise, slim and easily fits in the hand.The beautiful sleek design and functionality of this keyboard/mouse combo have made me a firm beliver in the quality Logitech!!
Product Description
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave
Cheap Consumer Electronics:
- Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave Set
- Logitech Cordless Mini Optical Mouse (931396-0403)
- Logitech Cordless Optical Mouse for Notebooks- Silver
- Logitech Cordless TrackMan Wheel
- Logitech Deluxe Access Keyboard
- Logitech diNovo Edge ( 967685-0403 )
- Logitech diNovo Edge ( 967685-0403 )
- Logitech diNovo Edge ( 967685-0403 )
- Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser
- Logitech EasyCall Desktop
Cheap Consumer Electronics List
Cheap Consumer Electronics
All Keyboards
|
Keyboards
|
Mice & Keyboards
|
Computer Add-Ons
|
Computers & Add-Ons
|
Categories
|
Electronics
Logitech Wave Keyboard
Logitech VX Nano Cordless Laser Mouse for Notebooks
Logitech Cordless Desktop Comfort Laser
Logitech Alto Express Notebook Stand
Logitech Premium 4-Port USB Hub
