[Kerrigan]

what do you prefer when it comes to mice and keyboards? right now, I own a wireless keyboard and mouse but I actually prefer the wired design and so I will be switching them out soon.

the disadvantages of wireless peripherals include: need for batteries, bluetooth latency, and long cluttered receiver cord for RF devices.

[f1000]

Need for batteries? My Apple Wireless keyboard goes for months between recharges.

Bluetooth latency? I haven't noticed any.

Long cluttered receiver cord for RF devices? No mouse or keyboard that I've ever used, BT or RF, has ever had an antenna. Logitech RF devices do include a corded antenna dongle, but this can be mounted upside-down under the desktop and out of sight. How much more clutter can it be than having a cord extending from your computer all the way to a mouse or keyboard?

For me, wireless devices are usually more convenient to use than corded devices. I haven't owned a corded keyboard/mouse in years.

Why are you even asking for anyone's opinion on this? Does food taste better to you if everyone else claims to enjoy it?

[rjenkinson]

wireless keyboards and mice offer me no practical benefit.

-r.

[Kerrigan]

Microsoft keyboards and mice have a long corded RF antenna.

And the Apple bluetooth mouse is unusable to me, even for things like web-browsing.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Microsoft keyboards and mice have a long corded RF antenna.

They have a dongle that plugs into your computer, but the keyboard and mice themselves don't have antennae.

In any case, get a Logitech.

[ghporter]

I have a serious problem with broadcasting my keystrokes via Bluetooth so that ANYONE can intercept them and thus capture passwords, important numbers, and so on. (Yes, I know Bluetooth is supposed to have a "limited range" but that assumes standard device antennas, not special intercept antennas-and I have a long career history in computer security to boot.) Further, any non-Bluetooth wireless device is going to scream "I'm Brand X!" and let anyone looking for a wireless device know exactly how to intercept and capture my data.

If I ever need to be far enough away from my computer that the keyboard cord doesn't reach, I can get a six-foot USB extension cable for CHEAP-particularly when compared to the cost of wireless keyboards! As rjenkinson said, there's no practical benefit for me, and some serious security drawbacks for me.

[f1000]

Originally Posted by ghporter

I have a serious problem with broadcasting my keystrokes via Bluetooth so that ANYONE can intercept them and thus capture passwords, important numbers, and so on. (Yes, I know Bluetooth is supposed to have a "limited range" but that assumes standard device antennas, not special intercept antennas-and I have a long career history in computer security to boot.) Further, any non-Bluetooth wireless device is going to scream "I'm Brand X!" and let anyone looking for a wireless device know exactly how to intercept and capture my data.

Two points:

1. I generally use BT devices in private places (like home). I would never lug around a wireless keyboard and mouse when traveling.
   
2. BT devices encrypt their communications using a key. I realize that these protocols aren't 100% secure, but I believe that SSL offers an additional layer of protection between me and a hacker in the event of BT intrusion. Here, I'm thinking specifically of my cell phone modem. I still trust it more than a public Wi-Fi connection.

If we really want to get nit-picky, we could note that corded devices send out RF "noise" as well that can be picked up and translated with the appropriate devices. There's even technology that can decipher the flicker of a CRT through a closed blind or curtain and replay the image on a snoop's screen.

[Kerrigan]

Originally Posted by f1000

the keyboard and mice themselves don't have antennae.

Thank you Mr. Obvious!



Anyhow, in what ways are Logitech's keyboards & mice better than Microsoft's?

[mhuie]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

what do you prefer when it comes to mice and keyboards? right now, I own a wireless keyboard and mouse but I actually prefer the wired design and so I will be switching them out soon.

the disadvantages of wireless peripherals include: need for batteries, bluetooth latency, and long cluttered receiver cord for RF devices.

Wired mice for sure. I've tried pretty much every wireless mouse sold and didn't like any of them. Even the logitech wireless laser mouse. .

There is only one that I found acceptable (minimal lag), and I only use with my Powerbook is the Microsoft Wireless notebook mouse.

As for desktops I always gone back to my trusty 2-button Microsoft optical mouse. However, I just bought the wired Logitech MX518 "Gaming-grade" mouse, and I love it. The tracking is oh so smooth and it doesn't try to go overkill on the ergonomics like the laser mouse. As for looks... eh.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...ONTENTID=10121

[mpancha]

I've owned both logitech and microsoft wireless keyboard/mouse kits....

the Logitech has little to no problems maintaining its signal with the rf transmittor. I've always had the RF transmittor mounted underneath the desk, or sitting on top of the tower, under the desk. designwise, the logitech is more appealing to me personally.

the Microsoft ones, they work, but if the signal is lost, its a pain trying to resync the devices to the RF receiver (in my experience with 2 versions of the wireless devices over a span of 4 years).

Personally I prefer wireless b/c I'm all about lack of wires. and the fact that I can prop my feet on the desk, lean back and still type without having wires everywhere appeals to me.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by f1000

Two points:

1. I generally use BT devices in private places (like home). I would never lug around a wireless keyboard and mouse when traveling.
   
2. BT devices encrypt their communications using a key. I realize that these protocols aren't 100% secure, but I believe that SSL offers an additional layer of protection between me and a hacker in the event of BT intrusion. Here, I'm thinking specifically of my cell phone modem. I still trust it more than a public Wi-Fi connection.

If we really want to get nit-picky, we could note that corded devices send out RF "noise" as well that can be picked up and translated with the appropriate devices. There's even technology that can decipher the flicker of a CRT through a closed blind or curtain and replay the image on a snoop's screen.

Valid points, but not necessarily good protection. BT range can exceed the walls of your house, and if you're using someting in a front room, a bad guy may be able to (using one of those intercept antennas I mentioned-you can make a very good one from a Pringles can) intercept all your traffic. Apartments are even worse... And the encryption scheme in BT is not only not infalible (though it ain't bad), there is no specification requirement for it to be used in any particular situation; your keyboard may or may not offer to turn on encryption in the setup, and how does it let you enter a PIN, select key size, etc.? As for wired devices emiting noise, that MUST be at a very low level or the device won't receive the FCC's (and other similar agencies elsewhere) home and office device rating-and almost everything nowadays has that rating.

You're probably right that it's not something to sweat too badly, but I have as I said a long history of being professionally paranoid in this area, so I'll stick with less expensive USB keyboards and mice, thanks.

[mishakim]

I've used wireless mice since the early 90s (IR back then) on PCs, and for a few years on my macs. The main advantage is that I keep my desk too cluttered, so a cord inevitably gets hung up on things and restricts the range of a mouse's motion. I've never had a latency problem, except when the batteries are dying, but then, I don't play action games. I currently use a Logitech RF Mouseman Optical (first-gen wireless/optical from them) on my desktop and a Bluetake BT mouse with my powerbook. I like them both in the context I use them, and eating batteries isn't a problem - that's why they make rechargeables - but I would prefer a model with a recharging base station of some sort.

As for keyboards, I've used two basic logitech's (both PC models, used one on Macs anyway). on those, I've had serious problems with keystrokes not getting through, which always seems to get worse when my usage increases. Sitting at my desk there's no real need for the keyboard to be wireless, so I don't use them anymore - it was more useful in an old apartment where I used my desktop from the couch.

[Cadaver]

Personally, I prefer wireless mice, but lately the wireless mice I have at home (a logitech on my Mac and a Microsoft on my PC) have been acting strangely (mistracking, etc) - its not interference between the two of them, since they've co-existed for months without problem, and the batteries are fresh/charged. Perhaps its the new people who moved in next door (???).
Anyway, its making me reconsider corded mice.

As for keyboards, the cord doesn't bother me, since the keyboard doesn't really move around like the mouse does. Plus, there's no wireless version of the Matias TactilePro keyboard (which I'm using and love).