Manufacturer: Logitech   Product: Cordless MX Duo   Availability: June / July 2003   Author:   Date: 5-20-2003   Price: $99

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Over the past several years we have seen Logitech bring wonderful products to market one after another. With Microsoft as a major competitor in the keyboard and mouse segment, Logitech has done quite well, considering Microsoft's dominance in many of its endeavors. Not only has Logitech stayed in the heat of the battle, they have recently brought several products to the table that have positioned them as the one to catch.

With Logitech having so much success after last year's introduction of their MX mouse products, the next logical thing to do would be to introduce the MX products mated to a cordless keyboard. Now Logitech has done just that. Their new MX Duo has combined the cordless Elite keyboard with their top of the line cordless MX700 mouse. Keep reading as we explore just what you can expect from this pairing.

No changes have been made to the Logitech Elite keyboard in the move to the MX Duo package. This stylish black keyboard, trimmed in silver, gains its cordless ability by the use of RF (radio frequency) technology. This will allow the use of the Elite keyboard without the need of a constant line of sight with the receiver. In our testing we were able to walk 30 feet away and on the other side of walls, still able to use the keyboard. As far as battery life, there is no need to worry. From previous experience with cordless Elite keyboards, 2 AA batteries can last up to six months.

Many shortcut and command keys scattered across its face enhance the attractiveness of the Elite keyboard. These one button access items range from control over your multimedia applications to Internet navigation. Soon after playing with the keyboard, you will find yourself reaching for many of these defined buttons instead of pointing and clicking with your mouse. The scroll wheel, volume dial, and email function buttons are nice to have around as well, and will be seen as essential items after getting used to them.

The receiver for the Elite keyboard is included in the recharging station of the MX700 mouse, as are the F-Lock, Caps-Lock, and Number Lock LED's. The status of each of these keys is displayed on screen momentarily after each key is pressed. So the need to keep the rechargeable base in sight is not necessary.

The keyboard software for the cordless Elite is named iTouch. All of the programmable functions for the keyboard are handled via this software. There is even a button on the keyboard for the iTouch menu. The addition of the iTouch access button on the keyboard is somewhat overkill. How often will you change the settings for your keyboard to warrant a button that could serve as some other feature? This leads me to another complaint I have about the predefined buttons on the Elite. How often do you expect to click the Shopping button on this keyboard? There is a Favorites button too. I understand they have to say something, but I wonder how often a typical user will sit down and remember they have a shopping button on their keyboard. I would prefer Copy and Paste buttons myself.

Another benefit from installing the iTouch software is the onscreen display of the status of such keys as Caps Lock, Number Lock, F-Lock, and the Media buttons. When each of these buttons is pressed, the status such as Caps ON or OFF briefly appears on your screen. This is important since your receiver may not be visible and the LED for each of these keys is on its face. With the status being displayed onscreen, it is not as important to keep the receiver visible.

To install MX Duo, you simply plug the rechargeable base for the MX700 which houses the receiver for both the keyboard and mouse into the PS2 ports or a USB port. There is a wrist rest included with the keyboard that can be attached to the bottom of the keyboard. Installation of the wrist rest is nothing more than two clips that attach to the underside of the keyboard. Other than that, just put the included batteries in the keyboard and mouse and you are off and running.

When the MX700 mouse was introduced a few months ago, there was little doubt that Logitech had a real winner on its hands. The design of the MX700 alone attracted many buyers, but that is not the only thing this new mouse brings to the table. With the MX700, Logitech incorporates many new and useful features that have not been seen on any previous cordless mice.

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A few years ago when mice showed up with the scroll wheel, many of us grew accustomed to them quickly. Well Logitech has somewhat "re-invented" the wheel. Now you can scroll just like the wheel by pressing one of the two buttons above or below the wheel, depending on which direction you want to scroll. Yet again, this is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" things.

An additional button placed atop the mouse is used for switching between tasks. Once this button is pressed a menu pops up on screen displaying theapplications that you can switch to; however, this button is programmable through the MouseWare software and can be assigned a different task. When using the MX700 for the first week or so, this button will be pressed accidentally many times. It is easy to confuse this for the scroll down button since they are positioned so close together.

Another aid in Internet navigation comes in the form of a Back and Forward button positioned for the thumb's use. The previous top of the line mouse from Logitech, the dual sensor MouseMan Optical, has only the Back button in place. Some may welcome the addition of the Forward button. Others, like myself, will barely notice it is there. However, it is better to have and not need than to need and not have, as my Aunt Ruthie would say.

Working with the MX700 reveals another enhancement that is not noticed from outside. The MX700 is equipped with an 800 dpi optical sensor that captures movement at a rate of 4.7 mega pixels per second. This translates into precise control over your mouse movement without it skipping across your screen. In fact, I found its ability to read over various surfaces to be above average. Response time for the MX700 is on par with corded mice. This can be seen in game play, which most will agree has been the make or break factor for previous cordless mice.

The weight and balance of the MX700 is perfectly matched to its design. There is no cheap feel to the mouse either. Although, I find the mouse to be near perfection, some users will not appreciate the fact it is a right hand only mouse. Left handed "mousers" need not apply.

It was only a matter of time before we saw the MX700 combined with a keyboard to make some sort of "Duo" package. Logitech certainly went in the safe direction, pairing it with the Elite keyboard. Although this keyboard is not my favorite, it is better than most. Of course, when you combine the MX700 with anything, it automatically makes its partner better. Certainly the MX700 carries most of the weight in contributing to the value of this product.

Logitech has yet again added a heavy hitter to their lineup. With the quality and support Logitech brings to the table, the MX Duo is sure to be a winner. If you are looking for a cordless keyboard and mouse, I highly recommend this product.