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Originally published at Internet.com Wireless Desktop combos are certainly highly visible these days, with many mouse-keyboard sets from Logitech and Microsoft fighting it out with the smaller competitors. These include standard models, ergonomic sets, or even those offering wireless access to home theater PCs or game systems. Wireless desktop sets are also available at a wide range of budgets and styles, making for a very crowded marketplace.
Logitech is one of the major players in this area of PC interface devices, and the company offers everything from the high-end diNovo and MX5000/5500 combo sets, down to the entry-level Cordless Desktop EX 110. Many buyers do not want to hit either extreme, and prefer something with a more mainstream price and feature set. The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave is one such product, checking in at under $100, but with better hardware, features and quality than a bargain basement set. 
Table of Contents • Introduction • Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard • Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse • SetPoint Drivers • Conclusion
Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard
The Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave combo set includes a wireless mouse and keyboard, both of which are based on existing peripheral designs. The keyboard is a cordless revision of the popular wired Wave Keyboard, which is not available as a standalone retail unit. That means if you want to go the wireless route in a Wave keyboard design, you'll have to buy the entire Cordless Desktop Wave package. 
The first thing you'll notice about the keyboard is its contoured, "wave" design. This is similar to other ergonomic keyboards, but Logitech has given it their own specific twist. The contours are not as pronounced as in some other models, and the curved format covers the entire keyboard, from top to bottom. This also creates an open "channel" under the keyboard, which can be used to route cables or other wires. It is powered by 2xAA batteries, and Logitech has nicely bundled a pair of Duracell batteries in the retail box. 
Although the design is a bit different, the key layout is standard, and features a 104-key arrangement with 14 function keys. There is also a set of multimedia keys at the top of the keyboard, along with an up/down volume button. Zoom controls are on the left side of the unit, while calculator and sleep buttons are on the top-right. Overall, the keyboard look and feel is nice, and although the key design may take a bit of getting used to, we found typing on it to be quite comfortable. The keys are a bit more rounded than we have used, and response is a bit weaker than some higher-end models, but this is to be expected at the sub-$90 range. 
The 3-way height adjustment is a great feature, as the keyboard includes smaller, secondary tilt legs that offer a concession between no adjustment, and utilizing the larger tilt legs. The Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard follows the current trend towards larger footprints, perhaps due to the growing use of wireless keyboards in the living room. There is a cushioned palm rest, which is also contoured like the rest of the keyboard, but it's part of the unit and not removable. Due to this, we found the unit a bit large for our keyboard tray, as the volume controls were obstructed by the desk.
Table of Contents • Introduction • Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard • Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse • SetPoint Drivers • Conclusion
Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse
Unlike its specialized wireless Wave keyboard, the Cordless Desktop Wave features a standard LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse as its second component. This mouse is a bit of a departure for Logitech, as it offers an ambidextrous format, supporting both right and left-handed users. It is powered by a 1000 dpi laser tracking engine, and includes the three standard buttons + scroll wheel, and has dual forward/back thumb buttons mounted on either side. The scroll wheel offers both horizontal and vertical scrolling + zoom functionality. 
The bundled LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse only differs from the retail model in its outer color, which rather than blue, is gray to match the keyboard. The mouse has soft rubber grips on both sides, which is a nice feature, and includes power off and connect buttons on the bottom and an indicator light on top. The mouse runs on 2xAA batteries (a Duracell pack is bundled) and Logitech states that you can get up to 8 months of use from a single set. Overall, this is a very standard mouse, without many of the bells and whistles we expect from Logitech. 
Both the Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and mouse transmit using a USB mini-receiver. This is an RF wireless device, and it is like other Logitech devices, with dimensions similar to a USB Flash drive. Logitech also provides some flexibility, and includes a USB extension cable for desktop users. This device sits on the desktop, and you simply plug in the mini-receiver, utilizing the USB extension cord for added flexibility. 
Desktop users can fiddle with the mini-receiver's location to ensure the best possible reception, or to get it as close as possible to the keyboard-mouse. Offering this type of design provides users with some added platform flexibility, as the mini-receiver allows the Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and/or mouse to be used with a laptop computer as well, without the need for long cords or larger receivers. This is a very smart move by Logitech, as it allows the Cordless Desktop Wave to be as mobile as possible.
Retail Bundle
The Cordless Desktop Wave retail package includes the Wave Cordless Keyboard, LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse, USB mini-receiver, USB holder and extension cord, 4xAA batteries, a quick start guide, and driver CD. Logitech does go a bit overboard by promoting a "bundled dust cover", which is just the plastic housing that the unit ships in. The cover works, but due to its original purpose, you'll need to cut off a few corners to make it truly functional.
Table of Contents • Introduction • Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard • Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mousse • SetPoint Drivers • Conclusion
SetPoint Drivers
The keyboard and mouse offer base functionality through a USB connection, but for full functionality, you need to load the SetPoint driver software. We downloaded the very latest 4.40 revision from the Logitech website, as well as updating the firmware on the mini-receiver (from version 9 to 12). Installation went very smoothly, as the software loaded easily and identified the Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and mouse with no problem at all.
The Logitech SetPoint software is divided into two different areas, with one set of tabs for the keyboard and the another for the mouse. The first tab in the mouse driver set allows custom button commands to be set, which include standard windows functions and keystroke assignments. Different buttons allow different levels of customization, and in all, there are seven different functions on the LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse. 
The mouse drivers also include standard features like scrolling size and mouse pointer speed/acceleration, as well as monitoring the battery level, but the Mouse Game Settings is the other important driver tab. It allows various switches like mouse speed, acceleration, and button assignments to be set, then implemented when SetPoint detects a game. 
The SetPoint keyboard tabs start off very similar to the mouse drivers, and allow various special keys to be assigned tasks or keystrokes. Again, there are seven different functions available through this tab, the same as the mouse. 
The next driver tab is for the F-keys, which can also be assigned various functions. Ten of these are available through the SetPoint software, and allow a wide range of customizable tasks. 
There are options for monitoring battery levels and securing your keyboard by encrypting keystrokes, but the last driver tab is one of the most important. It gives users the option of disabling various keys like the Num Lock, Insert and the all-important Windows Start key. Anyone who games has probably been interrupted by an inadvertent keystroke, and these settings are a welcome addition. 
Table of Contents • Introduction • Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard • Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse • SetPoint Drivers • Conclusion
Conclusion
No review is complete without a value assessment, and here, the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave scores quite high, especially with a 5-year warranty. In terms of individual component pricing, even the LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse plus a standard wired Wave Keyboard will run you around $90, or $5-$10 less than an entire Cordless Desktop Wave, complete with a wireless keyboard. Compared to other models, the Cordless Desktop Wave also stacks up well, coming in at lower than the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment & Ergonomic Desktop 7000 combos. 
Logitech has combined some interesting hardware into their Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard-mouse combo, and it offers a very attractive retail package. It is also nice to see a company try something new, offering a pseudo-ergonomic keyboard with a bit of a twist. Next to the keyboard, the mouse is a bit of a letdown, but it is certainly functional - if a bit staid. We do wish the keyboard's footprint was a bit smaller, or the palm rest removable, but this factor will depend on individual usage and desktop space.
Pros: * Innovative design * 3-level adjustable keyboard height * Sub-$90 price tag * Quiet key operation
Cons: * Large keyboard * All plastic construction * Very basic mouse
The Verdict: A value-priced wireless desktop that offers an ergonomic "wave" design. SysOpt Product Info
Product:
Cordless Desktop Wave
Category:
Peripherals
Est. Price:
$85.00
Manufacturer:
Logitech
Americas Headquarters:
6505 Kaiser Dr.
Fremont, CA 94555
+1 510-795-8500
Availability:
Now
Ratings: (Best of four stars)
Features: 
Performance:
Value:
Best for:
Mainstream users looking for a good value.
Table of Contents • Introduction • Cordless Desktop Wave Keyboard • Logitech LX8 Cordless Laser Mouse • SetPoint Drivers • ;Conclusion
Author: Vince Freeman
Read article at Internet.com site