Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse

acosmichippo · 03-30-2008, 11:43 PM

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ke.../3481&cl=us,en

just picked this bundle up today to replace my Microsoft BT mouse and Apple Wired Keyboard. I'm really impressed so far. Mac OSX isn't officially supported, but all of the basic features of both devices work beautifully (and even most of the advanced ones).

I decided to switch for various reasons... the microsoft mouse was nice, but after a month of using it, i decided it was just too small. I constantly felt i had to crunch my hand down to get a good grip on it, and my hand would grow very tired and cramped because of it (i know, boo-hoo). Those with smaller hands probably won't have a problem though. The logitech mouse, on the other hand) is VERY comfortable (perfect size for me), and has some extra assignable buttons to play with. The best part is that it is rechargeable (LI-ion battery, and comes with a dock)... so no more wearing out duracells in the middle of work and having to look all over for replacements... all you have to do is put it in the dock for two hours once every couple of weeks.

I really love the apple keyboard, but did NOT like the wire. I know apple makes a bluetooth keyboard, but it doesn't have the "delete >" button, nor the numpad, which are the reasons i wanted an external keyboard to begin with... otherwise i would have preferred to stick with an apple one because of the built-in function buttons and sleek design... this logitech looks kinda old-school, but it does work great. The media buttons actually function great in OSX (volume+/-, >>, <<, >||, etc), and the 12 function buttons are assignable. The keyboard also comes with an LCD display... which i think is a bit superfluous. This is one of the things that will only work if you have Windows, because the software needed to configure it will not work in Mac OS... you wouldn't miss out on much, though. It displays the time, new emails, temperature (of the room... not the computer), calculator... stupid things, really. You ARE sitting in front of your computer, after all.

so overall, I'd give the mouse an A, and the keyboard a B... if anyone is looking for bluetooth mice or keyboards, give this bundle a look-see. I'm not sure the two items are available separately or not... i'll try to find out.

EDIT:

Ramesh · 03-31-2008, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by acosmichippo

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ke.../3481&cl=us,en

just picked this bundle up today to replace my Microsoft BT mouse and Apple Wired Keyboard. I'm really impressed so far. Mac OSX isn't officially supported, but all of the basic features of both devices work beautifully (and even most of the advanced ones).

I decided to switch for various reasons... the microsoft mouse was nice, but after a month of using it, i decided it was just too small. I constantly felt i had to crunch my hand down to get a good grip on it, and my hand would grow very tired and cramped because of it (i know, boo-hoo). Those with smaller hands probably won't have a problem though. The logitech mouse, on the other hand) is VERY comfortable (perfect size for me), and has some extra assignable buttons to play with. The best part is that it is rechargeable (LI-ion battery, and comes with a dock)... so no more wearing out duracells in the middle of work and having to look all over for replacements... all you have to do is put it in the dock for two hours once every couple of weeks.

I really love the apple keyboard, but did NOT like the wire. I know apple makes a bluetooth keyboard, but it doesn't have the "delete >" button, nor the numpad, which are the reasons i wanted an external keyboard to begin with... otherwise i would have preferred to stick with an apple one because of the built-in function buttons and sleek design... this logitech looks kinda old-school, but it does work great. The media buttons actually function great in OSX (volume+/-, >>, <<, >||, etc), and the 12 function buttons are assignable. The keyboard also comes with an LCD display... which i think is a bit superfluous. This is one of the things that will only work if you have Windows, because the software needed to configure it will not work in Mac OS... you wouldn't miss out on much, though. It displays the time, new emails, temperature (of the room... not the computer), calculator... stupid things, really. You ARE sitting in front of your computer, after all.

so overall, I'd give the mouse an A, and the keyboard a B... if anyone is looking for bluetooth mice or keyboards, give this bundle a look-see. I'm not sure the two items are available separately or not... i'll try to find out.

I'll also try to post some pics a little later.

Very nice. I use the VX Revolution at work b/c I deal with HUGE Excel docs and tax software. Worth the money? I just kinda skimmed your review...

acosmichippo · 03-31-2008, 02:06 AM

hmm... i paid ~140 for it, which i think is a good price... about the same as the apple BT devices. I would definitely recommend the mouse if they sell it separately... the keyboard i'm not as crazy about, but they both fit my needs better than any other devices i have come across (including the apple ones).

so here is the mouse by itself... i love it. if you need an external mouse, definitely check it out.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mi...s/130&cl=us,en

and i just found this keyboard, which looks awesome... expensive, but awesome.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/ke...s/192&cl=us,en

Ramesh · 03-31-2008, 06:38 PM

Long story as to why, but I was on the phone w/a Logitech level 2 rep and he said that the slim keyboard is nice, but it has a light sensor that can get jacked up depending on your lighting situation.

acosmichippo · 03-31-2008, 07:50 PM

yeah, it would be cool, but i'm not gonna spend 200 on a keyboard.

scandalex · 03-31-2008, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by acosmichippo

yeah, it would be cool, but i'm not gonna spend 200 on a keyboard.

I did spend $200 for the diNovo Edge, but after 2 weeks realized that a numeric keypad is a must for me. I spend too much time in Excel and was loosing a lot of time hunting and pecking on the top row of numbers.

If Logitech changes the diNovo to include a numeric keypad, I'd buy it again.

acosmichippo · 03-31-2008, 08:54 PM

yeah, i'm with ya there. Of course, if the Apple BT keyboard had a numpad, i would prefer it to the logitech.

acosmichippo · 03-31-2008, 09:35 PM

**alert**

found a very cool app here. I was on Logitech's website trying to find out why their software for the Mac wasn't working (still no solution), when i ran across another user's suggestion to use Steermouse. Wow, is this app cool. It is everything the logitech software should be. It allowed me to assign pretty much anything to any of the buttons on my MX Revolution mouse, so now it is fully customized (whereas before some things were not working without the Logitech control center).

the only downside is it costs $20 after the 30-day trial.

i will be paying it, though.

acosmichippo · 03-31-2008, 10:51 PM

pics added. sorry about the graininess.

jcrawford · 03-05-2009, 12:47 PM

I have to ask what software did you use in order to get the buttons to work? I cannot get the date/time etc to work nor any of the special application buttons.

I installed the latest LCC 2.6.0 but it told me there were no logitech devices detected.