Test setup:

CPU: Intel E6600 dual core @ 2.4GHz Motherboard: Gigabyte G33 matx RAM: 4GB Kingston PC6400 DDR2 operating System: Windows 7 64bit SYSTEM HDD: 60gb Samsung Laptop SATA HDD Graphics: Radeon HD 4670 512MB Optical drive: LG Bluray/HDDVD /DVDRW SATA CPU cooler: Zalman Reserator 2 PSU: Nexus RX8500

Testing:

I tested the Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000 and Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 over a couple of weeks worth of general usage. This ranged from Media Center navigation, general office tasks including image manipulation, publishing and word processing. I also navigated online and gamed with the devices to assess performance.

I started with Media Center in Windows 7 - here the Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000 comes into its own. No need for the Laser Mouse 8000 here since navigation can be controlled by exclusively using the keys on the keyboard. The Media Center button fires the program up immediately and then either the cursor keys or the directional pad can be used to navigate to your desired media outlet!

Word, publisher and excel were used on various occasions during testing. The ergonomically curved keyboard was comfortable and easy to use. Here I obviously had an opportunity to use the Laser Mouse 8000 which proved itself smooth, accurate and easy to use. I didn't have any tracking issues on any surface i used - from fabric and foam mouse mats to shiny table surfaces. I must also mention that the keyboards own track pad was perfectly usable for the majority of tasks - of course if I were expecting an hour long session in office I'd use the Laser Mouse 8000 for the added flexibility and comfort value.

Casual web browsing is also a pleasure both with or without the Laser Mouse 8000. Again, for extended browsing the separate mouse is the better choice however for quick access to simply check mail or something else online the onboard trackpad is more than acceptable.

Finally we come to gaming performance. The desktop set certainly doesn't embarrass itself with a reliable and accurate performance. The mouse tracking was good although not quite the level of decent gaming mice from the likes of Razer and Steelseries. Keyboard wise I found the keys easy to strike and responsive - also, that centralised 'Windows' button meant that unlike most normal sized keyboards there's little chance of it being accidentally pressed when using the standard WASD keys during a gaming session.

Battery life during the test period has been excellent. Neither the mouse nor the keyboard has needed either a recharge or battery replacement. I'd say that the average usage over the two weeks has been in the region of an hour or so per night for the mouse and around 2 hours for the keyboard.

The range of both the mouse and keyboard was also quite impressive. You'd certainly need a large lounge to start effecting the sets ability to communicate with the Bluetooth dongle!