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Page 1
Intro:
While Logitech is a company that graces ASE Labs' test bench often, it is not often that we get to see a highly targeted type of keyboard combo. The Logitech Wave Pro Desktop is targeted to the consumer market, unlike their G series products. Don't let that fool you. This combo has some good (and not so good) features that set it apart from its gaming brethren.
Box:
Logitech products are packaged in their distinct green and white boxes. The only products that deviate are the G series products and Mac stuff. It is this branding that keeps consumers buying those green boxes.
Parts:
This is a bundle and has a keyboard and mouse included. Aside from those two basic parts, you get the manual/software, the USB receiver, the USB (micro) cable, and the AC adapter. Unlike many newer receivers, this is pure RF and doesn't try to do Bluetooth (badly) like other ones.
The USB charging cable is micro USB, but most of you won't need to bother using it. Even if you do, it is very handy about the way it charges.
Mouse:
We'll start with the mouse. The first thing you should see is that this mouse takes a page from a few previous lines such as the MX revolution, the MX700, and even the G7/G9. It is highly curved which means that it only works for right handed people. Left handed people need not apply for this kit. The single Logitech logo is white in the center of the mouse.
On the left side of the mouse are a few buttons and one hidden button. Can you spot it? It is on the thumbrest itself. When you hold the mouse, pushing down with your thumb is another button. That's a pretty handy button along with the usual other ones. The forward and backward buttons are included on this mouse.
The front of the mouse features the scroll wheel which is both ratcheting and free-scrolling by use of the button placed below it. This is better than the MX revolution tried to do automatically. The scroll wheel also tilts left and right. The left side (actually, right side in this image) features the DPI adjustment. We'll go into how the mouse works on that front later.
A profile shot of the mouse from the right side. This mouse has a "performance laser" in it that pretty much all Logitech mice have.
Moving on to the bottom of the mouse with it gutted open, you can see that this mouse uses a standard NiMH battery. This is a great thing for a few reasons. I've got about 20 spares NiMH batteries and a few chargers. I'll never be without a replacement. This is a huge improvement over normal internal batteries found on mice of this quality. The NiMH is a good one as well.
The mouse can act a charger for the NiMH battery house within. This is such a smart feature. If you run out of juice, you can plug in the included AC adapter OR you can make this a wired mouse! The only caveat is that the cable isn't that long so you'll need to have an extension unless you have a USB hub on your desk. Even so, this type of charging was an excellent idea from Logitech.
Intro:
While Logitech is a company that graces ASE Labs' test bench often, it is not often that we get to see a highly targeted type of keyboard combo. The Logitech Wave Pro Desktop is targeted to the consumer market, unlike their G series products. Don't let that fool you. This combo has some good (and not so good) features that set it apart from its gaming brethren.
Box:
Logitech products are packaged in their distinct green and white boxes. The only products that deviate are the G series products and Mac stuff. It is this branding that keeps consumers buying those green boxes.
Parts:
This is a bundle and has a keyboard and mouse included. Aside from those two basic parts, you get the manual/software, the USB receiver, the USB (micro) cable, and the AC adapter. Unlike many newer receivers, this is pure RF and doesn't try to do Bluetooth (badly) like other ones.
The USB charging cable is micro USB, but most of you won't need to bother using it. Even if you do, it is very handy about the way it charges.
Mouse:
We'll start with the mouse. The first thing you should see is that this mouse takes a page from a few previous lines such as the MX revolution, the MX700, and even the G7/G9. It is highly curved which means that it only works for right handed people. Left handed people need not apply for this kit. The single Logitech logo is white in the center of the mouse.
On the left side of the mouse are a few buttons and one hidden button. Can you spot it? It is on the thumbrest itself. When you hold the mouse, pushing down with your thumb is another button. That's a pretty handy button along with the usual other ones. The forward and backward buttons are included on this mouse.
The front of the mouse features the scroll wheel which is both ratcheting and free-scrolling by use of the button placed below it. This is better than the MX revolution tried to do automatically. The scroll wheel also tilts left and right. The left side (actually, right side in this image) features the DPI adjustment. We'll go into how the mouse works on that front later.
A profile shot of the mouse from the right side. This mouse has a "performance laser" in it that pretty much all Logitech mice have.
Moving on to the bottom of the mouse with it gutted open, you can see that this mouse uses a standard NiMH battery. This is a great thing for a few reasons. I've got about 20 spares NiMH batteries and a few chargers. I'll never be without a replacement. This is a huge improvement over normal internal batteries found on mice of this quality. The NiMH is a good one as well.
The mouse can act a charger for the NiMH battery house within. This is such a smart feature. If you run out of juice, you can plug in the included AC adapter OR you can make this a wired mouse! The only caveat is that the cable isn't that long so you'll need to have an extension unless you have a USB hub on your desk. Even so, this type of charging was an excellent idea from Logitech.
Page 2
Keyboard:
The Wave keyboard that the kit includes if a departure from anyone I've used before. It is called the Wave due to the placement of the keys. If you aren't a touch typist, be prepared to try another keyboard over this one. This is specifically made for use with the proper positioning of your hands. Along with that, the wrist rest is built in to properly position your arms for use with this keyboard.
I believe this shot speaks for itself. The keyboard has a nice curving design to ease the stress of your wrists. The built in wrist wrest is good for people that refuse to use them, but since I always have one, this annoyed me a bit.
The keyboard feet have three positions. You can have a zero tilt, 4 degree, and 8 degree tilt. When I spoke to Logitech, they said that having tilt on keyboard was bad and it is something that I have always done. I stopped tilting my keyboards and it is really easy to get used to.
The bottom of the keyboard houses the registrations and such as well as other information that you'll probably never need to know.
You get two good AA batteries with this keyboard and the battery compartment is located on the bottom along with the on/off switch.
The QWERTY section of the keybard is curved very nicely for both hands when you are in the normal home position. It is curved in such a way that typing flows a bit better than with a standard flat keyboard. Don't get me wrong, it is a bit strange at first when playing games (I've got back into playing Freespace 2 Open), but you get used to it. One thing I don't like is that the F keys are in groups of 3 instead of 4 which is plain annoying.
Some of the media keys send normal data without software. The specific Windows keys don't, though. Even when I wasn't using Linux, I'd never install extra software for my input devices (except the G15). The music keys work fine, though as do volume controls.
The waviness continues over to all parts of the keyboard. The entire number pad is inset in the center to provide extra tactile feeling when using it. It is a pretty interesting design.
Keyboard:
The Wave keyboard that the kit includes if a departure from anyone I've used before. It is called the Wave due to the placement of the keys. If you aren't a touch typist, be prepared to try another keyboard over this one. This is specifically made for use with the proper positioning of your hands. Along with that, the wrist rest is built in to properly position your arms for use with this keyboard.
I believe this shot speaks for itself. The keyboard has a nice curving design to ease the stress of your wrists. The built in wrist wrest is good for people that refuse to use them, but since I always have one, this annoyed me a bit.
The keyboard feet have three positions. You can have a zero tilt, 4 degree, and 8 degree tilt. When I spoke to Logitech, they said that having tilt on keyboard was bad and it is something that I have always done. I stopped tilting my keyboards and it is really easy to get used to.
The bottom of the keyboard houses the registrations and such as well as other information that you'll probably never need to know.
You get two good AA batteries with this keyboard and the battery compartment is located on the bottom along with the on/off switch.
The QWERTY section of the keybard is curved very nicely for both hands when you are in the normal home position. It is curved in such a way that typing flows a bit better than with a standard flat keyboard. Don't get me wrong, it is a bit strange at first when playing games (I've got back into playing Freespace 2 Open), but you get used to it. One thing I don't like is that the F keys are in groups of 3 instead of 4 which is plain annoying.
Some of the media keys send normal data without software. The specific Windows keys don't, though. Even when I wasn't using Linux, I'd never install extra software for my input devices (except the G15). The music keys work fine, though as do volume controls.
The waviness continues over to all parts of the keyboard. The entire number pad is inset in the center to provide extra tactile feeling when using it. It is a pretty interesting design.
Page 3
Testing and Use:
This set is plug in and go. The receiver works fine in any modern operating system and it is a standard human input device. Some other Logitech input devices used Bluetooth that worked a bit wonky with their included receivers. Not so with this kit. We'll start with the mouse. While I applaud Logitech for including the DPI switch found on their G series of mice, there are only two speeds that are set on the device; slow and fast. The slow setting was just a bit too slow and the fast setting was just too fast for normal use. I'm sure you'd be able to tweak this with software... which I hate.
I've been using this mouse on a charge for over two weeks and it is still going strong. This is due to the use of a higher capacity NiMH AA battery instead of a normal throw away type. The fact that you can use the mouse while charge (plug in the USB cable into the computer to charge) is a huge plus. The one thing I don't like is that it is micro USB. All of a sudden, things are using micro USB instead of mini. The mouse is rubberize on the sides and it has some heft to it. If you like light mice, this one isn't for you. I like heavy mice and this one suits me well.
The ratcheting of the scroll wheel is fine with hard notches. You can switch to free scroll when working with long documents, but I'm so used to ratcheting that I find it annoying that it doesn't stop when I lift my finger off the wheel. You might be different and some people like it. The fact that it is selectable is good. The button position on the mouse is fine. The mouse performed fine in normal use and with gaming. It isn't as good at tracking as the G series, but it works like any newer MX series mouse.
On the keyboard side, some people will instantly love or hate the curved design. If you can't touch type, you probably won't like this keyboard. Even so, most people are touch typists and this keyboard really helps find keys easier than a flat keyboard. It is also easier to swallow than those crazy keyboards that split the thing in two sections for each hand.
In use, I kept making mistakes when using the function keys at the top since they are not grouped in fours. When typing normally, you can feel the curve helps you keep your positioning of your fingers and it helps your wrists maintain a good position. Remember not to tilt the keyboard as it causes wrist problems! Too bad I didn't know about that earlier.
All in all, it is a good consumer kit and a worthy successor to its previous models.
Conclusion:
The Logitech Wave Pro Desktop retails for about $130 as of this article posting. At this price, it is well targeted at the high end consumer input device market. I always say that input devices are very important, even more than component as you will be using them to control the computer. I suggest going to a store to check this kit out before you buy.
If you're a touch typist, you'll absolutely love this kit. Even though the mouse is a bit slow, you get used to it quickly enough. If you play games very often or need a very high performance set, you're sights should still be with the G series of input devices instead. Even so, I recommend this kit to any consumer looking for a good keyboard and mouse.
I'd like to thank everyone at Logitech for making this review possible.
Testing and Use:
This set is plug in and go. The receiver works fine in any modern operating system and it is a standard human input device. Some other Logitech input devices used Bluetooth that worked a bit wonky with their included receivers. Not so with this kit. We'll start with the mouse. While I applaud Logitech for including the DPI switch found on their G series of mice, there are only two speeds that are set on the device; slow and fast. The slow setting was just a bit too slow and the fast setting was just too fast for normal use. I'm sure you'd be able to tweak this with software... which I hate.
I've been using this mouse on a charge for over two weeks and it is still going strong. This is due to the use of a higher capacity NiMH AA battery instead of a normal throw away type. The fact that you can use the mouse while charge (plug in the USB cable into the computer to charge) is a huge plus. The one thing I don't like is that it is micro USB. All of a sudden, things are using micro USB instead of mini. The mouse is rubberize on the sides and it has some heft to it. If you like light mice, this one isn't for you. I like heavy mice and this one suits me well.
The ratcheting of the scroll wheel is fine with hard notches. You can switch to free scroll when working with long documents, but I'm so used to ratcheting that I find it annoying that it doesn't stop when I lift my finger off the wheel. You might be different and some people like it. The fact that it is selectable is good. The button position on the mouse is fine. The mouse performed fine in normal use and with gaming. It isn't as good at tracking as the G series, but it works like any newer MX series mouse.
On the keyboard side, some people will instantly love or hate the curved design. If you can't touch type, you probably won't like this keyboard. Even so, most people are touch typists and this keyboard really helps find keys easier than a flat keyboard. It is also easier to swallow than those crazy keyboards that split the thing in two sections for each hand.
In use, I kept making mistakes when using the function keys at the top since they are not grouped in fours. When typing normally, you can feel the curve helps you keep your positioning of your fingers and it helps your wrists maintain a good position. Remember not to tilt the keyboard as it causes wrist problems! Too bad I didn't know about that earlier.
All in all, it is a good consumer kit and a worthy successor to its previous models.
Conclusion:
The Logitech Wave Pro Desktop retails for about $130 as of this article posting. At this price, it is well targeted at the high end consumer input device market. I always say that input devices are very important, even more than component as you will be using them to control the computer. I suggest going to a store to check this kit out before you buy.
If you're a touch typist, you'll absolutely love this kit. Even though the mouse is a bit slow, you get used to it quickly enough. If you play games very often or need a very high performance set, you're sights should still be with the G series of input devices instead. Even so, I recommend this kit to any consumer looking for a good keyboard and mouse.
I'd like to thank everyone at Logitech for making this review possible.