Features & Specifications
I have used different wireless desktop sets from Logitech over the years, but the wireless Desktop Wave was my first time using a Logitech ergonomic keyboard. The keyboard is nowhere near as odd looking as say a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard with the keys totally separated and split. Rather Logitech basically raised the T, G, V, B, U, J, and N keys more than the other keys on the keyboard and turned them slightly to the direction your hands sit when typing.

At the top of the Wave keyboard are the standard media keys we are all used to for volume, forward/reverse, stop, and play/pause. Arrayed on each side of the media keys are pairs of keys specific to Windows Vista functions. On the left side of the media keys are dedicated hot keys for images, and Vista Gadgets. On the right side are keys for your music folder and media center access.

On the far left of the keyboard are keys for zooming in and out as well as Vista Flip 3D. On the far right above the full number pad are keys for turning the Pc on and off as well as a calculator short cut key. A full array of F keys are on the keyboard as well to allow for quick access to Office allocations and short cuts to web sites and your favorite applications which you can program in the Logitech drivers. You can also vary the angle of the keyboard from 0 to 8 degrees to suit your preferences.

The keyboard is powered by a pair of AA batteries and Logitech claims the keyboard batteries can last up to 16 months. The bottom of the keyboard has a wrist rest that is padded with a soft vinyl with little holes in it which is quite comfortable during use.

The mouse that is included with the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave is typical Logitech fare. That is to say it feels good in the hand and has several buttons on it. The design is ambidextrous and each side has one button that you can map to different functions in the driver software. The scroll wheel activates Vista Flip 3D as well. Logitech claims a six month battery life for the mouse and there is an on/off button on the bottom of the mouse. The mouse is responsive, but you won’t mistake it for one of Logitech’s high sensitivity gaming mice. Once you get used to small hand movements to move across a 30” screen like I use, it gets really hard to go back to 800/1000 dpi mice after working with 2000 dpi mice for a while.

The wireless USB receiver can plug directly into your PC USB port for connectivity, or you can use the included USB cable and caddy to place the USB receiver onto your desktop for better signal strength or to simply keep you from having to crawl under the desk to get to the receiver if you need to.

Logitech Wireless Desktop Wave in Use
Typing feel on the Wave keyboard is good. The keys are very quiet, but offer good tactile feedback so you know you have pressed the key. I found changing to the Wave took a bit of getting used to after working on standard keyboards exclusively for so long. I honestly have never found ergonomic keyboard to feel more comfortable than standard keyboards, and this was no different. The Wave was no more or less comfortable to me that one of Logitech’s normal keyboards, or the Microsoft Reclusa I normally work on.

The keys on the Wave keyboard are arranged well with everything within easy reach. While there are several Vista specific keys on the keyboard, you can change their functions as you wish if you don’t run Vista. This is a good thing since the keyboard works on older versions of Windows as well as Mac computers.

The mouse feels good in the hand and uses an ambidextrous design so lefty’s can use the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave as well. I don’t like the position of the side buttons on the mouse. They are down a bit low and I found my self clicking them accidentally as I worked. The right side key that defaults to page forward was especially prone for accidental activation in my use to the point that I turned it off in the Logitech drivers. I would personally prefer a more sensitive mouse, but again I am used to working with 2000 dpi or higher gaming mice on a daily basis.

Those used to working with standard mice will find the wireless laser mouse included with the Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave to perform well. You can accelerate the pointer sped to make up for some of the lagging sensitivity if you prefer smaller hand movements, but it greatly effects accuracy on the mouse. The MSRP for the Cordless Desktop Wave is $89.99.