Ready to take on Windows Vista…and those crazy germs!
By Paul Marc Rañon
With the much talked about hype of Microsoft Windows Vista operating system that’s hitting the IT market nowadays, most of our Noypi readers are now in the advent of acquiring Vista-ready / Vista-capable computers and other peripherals.
Because of this, Logitech, the world’s leader in designing, manufacturing, and marketing IT peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world, has introduced their latest cordless desktop-mouse combo.
This is the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser, and all the peeps at the Technews / Tech101 Lab was enthusiastic to get our hands on this babe. Out of the box, the package includes the MX 3200 Cordless Keyboard, the MX 600 Laser Cordless Mouse, a USB mini-receiver, a USB-Extender, 6 AA alkaline batteries, a padded wrist rest, a CD-ROM, installation guide, and warranty card.
At a glance, it’s a full-size keyboard with built-in numeric keypad and a build-in padded wrist rest. I like the MX 3200, not only for its sleek and stylish looks, but also for its black color and their good tactile response to soft touch. Most of the keyboard’s function keys are somewhat half in size at a glance. However, they double as hot keys that quickly opens applications and favorite folders on your PC.
At the top portion of the MX 3200 are the Media Center Controls wherein I can do just about everything especially when it comes to sound trip, DVD movies and other entertainment features on my PC. And for those who are into the Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the MX 3200 features convenient calling control buttons located at the right lower most portion of the keyboard wherein a user can start and end calls with ease.
Aside from the MX 3200’s hot keys and special buttons, the keyboard has a built-in LCD that indicates the time, date, and battery status. By pressing the "FN" and F9 key you can toggle between the different time modes either in 12 or 24 hour, alarm, timer, and character counter.
One of the noticeable features of the MX 3200 is its Dynamic Search and Zoom feature. It is a touch-sensitive slider that quickly explores folders and images on a PC with Windows Vista. For XP users, this functionality can be used while browsing Web pages by scrolling up and down.
The zoom function can also be used when you’re using MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Adobe programs (Photoshop, Pagemaker, InDesign). The 100% button located right below the slide quickly allows you to go back to screen view in the application.
Beside it are buttons used to perform a PC search that allows to perform a search for files on your desktop, a PIC button that opens the My Pictures folder, an X button that closes open documents, and a Document Flip button that directly chooses which program you want to go to.
Another feature of the MX 3200 is the Zero Tilt design by Logitech, wherein the keyboard sits flat on the desk and doesn’t require me to bend my wrists. Although I’m used to regular keyboards, I quickly adjusted to the flat design, and my wrists feel less tired after a day’s work at the office.
The MX 600 Laser Cordless Mouse has an ergonomic fit design with a pronounced curve. It is a little smaller than the standard mouse, but its generally fitting to the hand, with rubber grips helping the overall feel and comfort. The buttons also has good tactile feedback just like the MX 3200 keyboard.
This right-handed mouse has active buttons with the zoom/tilt/scroll wheel. The MX 600 has a "zoom in" and "zoom out" button. Also, there are two optional buttons placed along the edge where your thumb rests. All of these buttons can be configured that renders a user to do tasks without lifting your hand from the mouse, especially when going back and forth on a Web page.
I tested the MX 600 while updating our website, surfing the Internet, using Adobe Photoshop and InDesign, and MS Office applications, and she impressed me well. For PC games, like Counter Strike, the MX 600 was responsive and accurate. This shows that the MX 600 can be used as a gaming mouse, too.
I mentioned before that the MX 600 is generally comfortable to the hand. Of course, there’s no problem for small hands. But for big hand users, the relative height can be an isolated shortcoming for this mouse. But I guess this is a minor thing for me. And I got to admit that its now very hard to live without the MX 600’s cool functions because I extremely got hooked to it.
The wireless communication for this keyboard-mouse combo is handled by a small USB mini-receiver that can either be mounted in a stand (included in the package) or can be plugged directly into the USB port on your desktop. But during my initial setup, I used the USB slot located in front of my desktop. After relocating the mini-receiver to the USB slot at the back, I found out that there were no connection problems whatsoever and the keyboard and mouse functioned well.
Although both devices are the plug-and-play type that needs no driver or software installation, Logitech has included their Set Point Control Center software in the package. The software enables the user to fully customize almost every button on the keyboard and mouse. The good thing about it is that it’s easy to install. Just a few clicks and I was rockin’ and rollin’ with very little fuss.
And what separates this dual keyboard-mouse from the rest of the pack? This is Logitech’s AgION Anti-Microbial Technology that is incorporated in both the keyboard and the mouse itself. It has an AgION anti-microbial compound that provides protection to prevent the growth of a broad range of bacteria, mold and mildew.
If you’re worried about the AA alkaline batteries that’s powering these two babes (4 on the keyboard and 2 on the mouse) won’t last long, Logitech says that through their power management system built in these devices, their battery life can reach up to 15 months of use for the MX 3200 and up to 6 months of use for the MX 600.
Indeed, the Logitech Cordless Desktop MX 3200 Laser is the ideal and recommended wireless keyboard-mouse combo for your PC system. Whether your computer has Vista or XP operating system, or you’re a regular office employee, graphics artist, or a gaming enthusiast, they both are close to perfection. And if you hate getting noticed by Germaks (from that Safeguard TV ad), the AgION Anti-Microbial Technology on these devices will keep him away from your hands.
Pros: AgION anti-microbial coating helps keep the keyboard and the mouse disinfected; Zero Tilt design on the keyboard reduces wrist strain; feature-filled keyboard and mouse; sleek looks.
Cons: Pricey
Our thoughts: For this device, Logitech has user’s safety in mind, with its cleanliness-inducing surface treatment, it also looks great and is loaded with features.
|
