Having a wireless desktop set is a great advantage. The lack of cords allows you to move around freely and relocate your peripherals. Typing from the desk chair or the recliner across the room, you're set. Bluetooth has been around for some time and with the new addition of the 2.0 spec gives you greater ranage (60ft) and faster data transfer (3x over previous). Logitech has released their Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser set; a new Bluetooth keyboard and mouse (MX1000) combination. Bringing in a keyboard mounted LCD with new functionality, touch sensitive multimedia controls, and a few other additions the MX5000 desktop seems promising. As the old addage goes: real-life performance speaks louder than spec-sheets. Time to put this new set to the test.

Product:	Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser
Manufacturer:	Logitech
MSRP:	$149.99 USD
Details:	LCD Display Bluetooth 2.0 (3x speed of previous version and 60ft. range) Touch Sensitive Multimedia Controls One Touch Synchronization with Bluetooth Enabled Devices (phones, PDA) Bluetooth Keyboard and Bluetooth MX1000 Laser Mouse

We've come a long way from PS/2 keyboards and rollerball mice. USB, cordless, Bluetooth -all great strides in the peripheral revolution. However, before we reach cranial implants we've got to take a few smaller steps. This begins with getting better, stronger, faster, and smaller technology into our peripherals. Logitech has been a long time developer of mice and keyboards with some of their recent releases utilizing Bluetooth technology. Ladies and gentlemen our product on trial today: the Cordless Desktop MX 5000 Laser.

Lets start off with some information and quotes from Logitech:

• PC with Pentium® processor or compatible
• Windows XP (Home, Pro, Tablet or Media Center Edition)
• USB port
• CD-ROM drive
• Product Specifications
• Dot Matrix LCD at 102 x 42 pixels (LCD supports Western characters only)
• Touch Sensitive Zone with 2 strips and 7 backlit controls
• MX Laser Engine™ with 800-dpi resolution and 5.8-Megapixel image processing
• Mouse with Li-ion batteries and Fast Charging Station
• Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Technology
• Support for Widcomm BTW 5.0 and Microsoft XPSP2 Bluetooth stacks
• Bluetooth Profiles: Audio Gateway, AV, Basic Imaging, Dial-up Network, File Transfer, Hard Cable Replacement, Headset, Human Interface Device, Local Area Network, Object Exchange, Serial Port, Synch

• Dot Matrix LCD at 102 x 42 pixels (LCD supports Western characters only)
• Touch Sensitive Zone with 2 strips and 7 backlit controls
• MX Laser Engine™ with 800-dpi resolution and 5.8-Megapixel image processing
• Mouse with Li-ion batteries and Fast Charging Station
• Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Technology
• Support for Widcomm BTW 5.0 and Microsoft XPSP2 Bluetooth stacks
• Bluetooth Profiles: Audio Gateway, AV, Basic Imaging, Dial-up Network, File Transfer, Hard Cable Replacement, Headset, Human Interface Device, Local Area Network, Object Exchange, Serial Port, Synch

• MX™ 5000 keyboard for Bluetooth®
• MX™ 1000 Laser mouse for Bluetooth®
• USB Bluetooth® mini-receiver
• Rapid-charging base station with AC adapter
• 4 AA alkaline batteries
• CD with software, comfort guidelines and Help Center
• Quick Start Guide
• 3-Year limited warranty

"Ordinary keyboards and mice only send information to your PC; the Logitech® Cordless Desktop® MX™ 5000 Laser, the world´s first intelligent desktop, also sends information back to you."

"It's the smart desktop that combines an LCD keyboard display, a high-speed Bluetooth® wireless hub with SecureConnect™ technology, the precision of a MX™ Laser mouse, and innovative touch-sensitive media controls. It keeps you connected, saves you time, and simplifies your life in ways you've never imagined."

• "Experience a performance revolution with the rechargeable MX™ Laser mouse. With 20x the tracking power of standard optical, the MX™ Laser mouse delivers record-setting performance on virtually any surface. "

• "Turn your PC into a Bluetooth Hub. Connecting the Bluetooth® Mini-Receiver to your PC lets you do voice over IP with a headset, transfer pictures from a mobile phone, listen to music through Bluetooth® headphones and much more."

• "Set it up quickly and easily. With Logitech´s new SecureConnect™ technology, your keyboard and mouse have been pre-paired to the wireless mini-receiver, providing a secure link with your computer so you can use everything right out of the box without hassle. "

The MX5000 set uses the new Bluetooth 2.0 EDR spec - the most recent addition to the Bluetooth family. EDR, Enhanced Data Rate, allows for speeds up to 2.1 Mbit/s. Also keep in mind that 2.0 is backwards compatible with 1.x. The benefits include: 3x - 10x speed increase over previous versions, lower power requirements, simlified multi-link setups, and improved Bit Error Rate (BER) operation. With the increased range your MX5000 can be up to 60ft away (under prime conditions of course) and still using your computer. Your eyes should appreciate the extra distance from your 10,000 inch plasma screen you just bought. The quicker transfer speeds should make a Bluetooth 2.0 setup a little more tempting as latency/lag is further reduced. Here is a link if you'd like to know more about Bluetooth, the 2.0 technology, and what is on the plate for future releases.