Hardware Review: Logitech Cordless MX Duo
Cordless Keyboard & Rechargeable Mouse By Bruce Pechman, The Muscleman of TechnologySM

www.mrbicep.com

January, 2004
The Freedom to Point and Click Theres much to be said about the many rewards of todays wireless technologies. One popular use is the wireless (or cordless) keyboard and mouse. How often have you been frustrated by having your keyboard and mouse wires snag, interfere, or hang up on some portion of your desk? Plus, going wireless with a keyboard or mouse bestows upon you the freedom to place your mouse and keyboard wherever you likeand still be precisely accurate with your input commands. The Logitech Cordless MX Duo includes Logitechs Cordless Elite Keyboard paired with their award winning MX700 Cordless Optical Mouse. Both products are premium grade and represent a great value when purchased together in the MX Duo box. How much dinero? If you watch the papers (along with the many rebates) you can get your Cordless MX Duo ranging from $65 to $90. Many retailers sell the MX700 rechargeable mouse for $70 alone! The astounding performance and feature set is uniformly matched by the coordinated black and silver satin finished mouse and keyboard. Being extremely conscious of my computer related equipment aesthetics, the MX Duo scores top marks in the looks department. Rechargeable Rodents, Nice Features, and 5 Year Warranty First, lets discuss the high performance MX700 Optical mouse with included Rapid Charge Docking Base Station. When I mention high performance, Im referring to Logitechs revolutionary MX optical engine with an 800dpi sensor capturing 4.7 megapixels every second! What does this mean? Accuracyeven the smallest movement ensures silky smooth frame rates for games (this is truly a great gaming mouse) and precision control on many surfaces. Although the RF cordless technology is old hat, Logitech has made enhancements in digital radio technology yielding faster data transmissions resulting in outstanding performance within a six foot range. The docking/recharging base station does double duty as the receiver and charger. When not in use, just put the rodent in the cradle and your attractive little friend will always be full of energy. I recommend Logitech products without wavering due to their outstanding quality, support, and warranty. The Cordless MX Duo is no exception sporting Logitechs solid 5-year warranty!
The Keyis the Keyboard Logitechs Cordless Elite Keyboard will not disappoint. The symmetrical specialty key layout will give you the feeling of a flight control deck alongside your mouse. The Elite is a regular full size keyboard with a comfy ergonomic design. The keys have a nice responsive feel and are fairly quiet (only my mutts astutely tuned ears know when I sneak online at 3:17 am). Programmable specialty keys makes the Elite keyboard plenty useful, practical, and fun. But the real genius is deferred to Logitechs refined software iTouch, the heart of the Cordless MX Duo. iTouch You, You Touch Me The iTouch software is the control center used to configure and program the keyboard and mouse (Version 2.2 is the latestupdate immediately if you need it). iTouch is simple to use. When installed, you can access it instantly from the system tray in the lower right area of your screen. Right clicking reveals the whole enchilada. Bring up iTouch Configuration to reveal the softwares five tabbed interface. It is all very intuitive and simple to customize. Need assistance? Just select the detailed built-in help by right-clicking Help (for a little extra hand holding). Now for the good stuff! I love having the mute button right next to the huge master volume control switch. The really sweet ingredient is the on-screen displayed feedback corresponding to your selectionit interacts with your commands by illuminating a day-glow green colored word such as Mute or Favorites or Cap Locks or Searchget the picture? The other tremendous trick I mentioned earlier is the pre-programmed dual function F-keys. By toggling Logitechs iTouch F-Keys you get a whole new set of automated functions from your F1 through F12 keys. Simply click the iTouch F button again and the F-keys are back to normal! Unplugging It All There are just too many features to cover in this short review. You owe it to yourself to get a Logitech Cordless MX Duoyou wont be disappointed. Installation is a snap and even includes a step by step installation poster. When I think about all the added convenience and functionality the Cordless MX Duo brings to my computing experience, I will never go back to a lifeless boring keyboard and mouse. Between the multimedia controls, Internet buttons, hotkeys, or just working in a document, its a pleasure to use many, if not all the features of the Logitech Cordless MX Duo. To learn more about the Cordless MX Duo or any of Logitechs other quality products, visit www.logitech.com. Reviewed on Alienware Area 51 Desktop. What's In the Box?

Logitech Cordless Elite Keyboard Logitech Cordless MX700 Optical Mouse Receiver/charging base AC power supply USB to PS/2 adapter 2 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries 2 AA alkaline batteries, CD with software, comfort guidelines and User's Guide Quickstart Poster 5-year limited hardware warranty
System RequirementsWin98, WinNT 4.0, Win 2000, Win Me, WinXP or Mac OS X. Available USB or PS/2 keyboard port and PS/2 mouse port, CD-ROM drive.

With the purchase of

Cordless MX Duo

Logitech

Rebate by mail
Offer valid from November 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003.

See reverse for details

Purchase the Logitech Cordless MX Duo
(Part # 967300-0403) and receivea $10.00 Rebate by Mail*
Your purchase of the Logitech product listed above must be made between November 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. Rebate request must be postmarked within 30 days of purchase date.
* REBATE OFFER NOT VALID AT: Amazon.com, Best Buy, Business Depot, Buy.com, Circuit City, CompUSA, Computer4Sure, Fry's Electronics, Future Shop (Canada), Meijer, Micro Center, Office Depot, Office Max, Sam's Club, Staples, Target, Tech Depot, TigerDirect.com, Wal-Mart.
To receive your rebate by mail, please submit:
1) Your cash register receipt (photocopy ok) with purchase price and date circled. 2) Cut out the original UPC barcode symbol from the product box purchased. (Photocopy or peel-off UPC labels will not be accepted) 3) This completed form.

Send to:

NAME STREET ADDRESS (No P.O. Box Address) CITY ZIP CODE E-MAIL STATE PHONE STORE NAME & LOCATION
Logitech Cordless MX Duo Offer Dept OLRS00031 PO Box 8032 Walled Lake, MI 48391-8032
Check here if you would like to receive news and information regarding Logitech products.
Terms and Conditions: Logitech is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected mail or illegible submissions. Incomplete rebate requests will not be validated. Please make a photocopy of all materials submitted for your records. This offer may not be combined with any other Logitech sponsored offers. Limit one (1) rebate per product purchased. A maximum of one (1) rebate per household address as determined by Logitech in its sole discretion. Offer valid to consumers in United States only. Offer void where prohibited by law. Payment is made by check, in US dollars to US residents. Rebate request must be postmarked within 30 days of purchase date. Please allow 6-8 weeks to receive your rebate check. For questions onthis offer, call toll free 1-800-741-1365 or visit http://www.expressgroup.com 2003 Logitech. All rights reserved. Logitech, the Logitech logo and other Logitech marks are owned by Logitech and may be registered. OLRS00031