Logitech intros MX5500 keyboard / mouse combo

Those looking for a matching keyboard and mouse set now have yet another option from Logitech, which today busted out its new MX5500 combo. This one includes the company's existing MX Revolution laser mouse with its speedy metal scroll wheel, along with a new keyboard that boasts a built-in LCD along with the usual array of controls for music and other features. Both peripherals also rely on Bluetooth 2.0 to keep 'em untethered from your PC, and each promise to let you take full advantage of Flip 3D and other Vista-specific features (though Vista is not required). Look for this set to be available later this month for $170.

[GadgieBot @ Sep 4th 2007 1:42PM]

maybe this means a bluetooth mx revolution will be available (yay, if so)

[RazorD @ Sep 4th 2007 1:52PM]

Microsoft's Wireless Entertainment Desktop is FINALLY coming out in the next few days (both in the US and UK).

That's already got my desktop money for this year ;)

[RazorD @ Sep 4th 2007 1:52PM]

Ops - Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000.. The super sexy rechargable backlet bluetooth one!

[August @ Sep 4th 2007 5:09PM]

MS is always behind Logitech's peripherals.

I encourage you to invest in a Logitech device.

[LegendZ28 @ Sep 4th 2007 5:32PM]

You obviously haven't taken a look at the 8000, do some research, it's a great keyboard and mouse system and was even previewed on Engadget, where they gave it props. My main fault is that they are taking forever to release the thing, I must have heard about this thing a year ago and it's still not out.

[Frostmonkey @ Sep 4th 2007 8:40PM]

I have the 7000 version, and it is such an awesome keyboard for multimedia use...however, for nearly anything else including just fucking typing, its full of fail.

The stupid touch sensitive buttons ALWAYS get hit by accident, however the built in mini track pad is so trick

[Kevin @ Sep 4th 2007 1:54PM]

I already have a MX and it rocks so, i might get another one

[Mark S. @ Sep 4th 2007 1:55PM]

Soon your keyboard will be more powerful than your first computer.

[Ohng @ Sep 4th 2007 1:56PM]

Not that I'm jaded, or anything, but...

Let's watch someone obscure patent the keyboard + mouse combination, then wait a couple of years and sue the pants off of everyone.

[Silverfrog @ Sep 4th 2007 2:14PM]

Where are the ergonomic keyboards at? I absolutely adore my Natural Keyboard 4000, so where are the logitech ones? I may in the minority, but if you're a touch-typist, and are at the computer for 2+ hrs at a time, ergonomics are the way to go.

[rudebo @ Sep 4th 2007 4:17PM]

the natural is great for typing but its not that grand when it comes to other stuff like graphics work, gaming and just surfing ... because it asks a certain pose of you

[Silverfrog @ Sep 4th 2007 4:23PM]

rudebo,

I use mine for everything from chatting to games, and have for years. I also have several normal keyboards. But the ergonomic ones are my favorite, because they don't induce fatigue in my wrists nearly as fast. And, after a while, "normal" keyboards require your hands to go to awkward positions, because your hands and wrists will be trained properly to rest in the correct position. For me, it's pure instinct and requires no effort. Again, I'm probably in the minority here, so take it as you will.

[Taylor @ Sep 4th 2007 4:30PM]

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/167&cl=us,en

[Scooter @ Sep 4th 2007 4:46PM]

touch typists are now personal assistants, and they no longer type so much because executives, who used to employ typists, now either use a blackberry or their personal assistant sorts their correspondence in other ways.
Ergonomic keyboards were the rage in the transition from typing pool to desktop. But think about your workflow: do you really use the keyboard so much? I am a writer and yet my little desktop applet shows that I use my mouse more than twice as much as the keyboard. Such is the nature of the world in which we live.

[Silverfrog @ Sep 4th 2007 4:53PM]

Scooter, obviously I'm not talking about people who don't type a lot. I specifically said if you type for 2+ hrs at a time. Think: MMORPG player or serious blogger or chatter.

[Silverfrog @ Sep 4th 2007 2:14PM]

Where are the ergonomic keyboards at? I absolutely adore my Natural Keyboard 4000, so where are the logitech ones? I may in the minority, but if you're a touch-typist, and are at the computer for 2+ hrs at a time, ergonomics are the way to go.

[Silverfrog @ Sep 4th 2007 2:15PM]

sorry for the double post (now triple) ha ha.

[Ken Wind @ Sep 4th 2007 2:17PM]

If the keyboard was minimalist, it would be perfect for the new iMacs. As it is, it still looks better than the new Apple wireless keyboards.

[Kevlar @ Sep 4th 2007 2:47PM]

The KB is too busy for me, definitely. While it's true that the wireless keyboard looks pretty bad, the wired one rocks! I am one of only a few people I know that prefer the low-profile laptop style keys, and the wired, full size keyboard is absolutely awesome. Don't knock it 'till you've tried it. It's done wonders for my typing speed.

[Ant @ Sep 4th 2007 5:23PM]

Until I saw the new wired apple keyboard I would have thought this was a must, but it looks very dated to me now. Since I found you can run Apple keyboard on MS I have been tempted in this direction. This Logitech design would have been great last year maybe, it's like in the 80's when the massive GetoBlasters with all the buttons and lights and stuff were cool, now they just look messy, it's the same with this type of thing.

Now the mouse is different, I think that looks functionally great just a bit on the pricey side. Shame it doesn’t have the scroll button press.

[Alan @ Sep 4th 2007 2:23PM]

Hopefully this is better than the MX5000 bluetooth combo... I paid $150 for a keyboard that sticks on the DEL key and then refuses to reconnect and a mouse that lags horribly. At least the LCD could display the room temperature.

[iansarchibald @ Sep 4th 2007 2:42PM]

I want this just for the sake of having it. I kind of prefer my MX1000 to the Revolution, and that keyboard, as awesome as it is, just won't fit on my slide out keyboard drawer thingy. Sadface.

[Frostmonkey @ Sep 4th 2007 8:41PM]

Ken, where in the sweet fuck did that comment come from?

[Ken Wind @ Sep 4th 2007 3:17PM]

It's a minor aesthetic quibble, but black keys would look much better with the sexy black/aluminum makeover they gave their iMacs. It just looks bad to me though.

I'm typing this on a Macbook, and I actually like the keyboard. Sony uses it in their ultraportable TZ line too, which is a great idea because the keys are so flat. Maybe we'll see an Apple ultraportable with this keyboard design sometime in the next year.

[Ken Wind @ Sep 4th 2007 3:20PM]

It's a minor aesthetic quibble, but black keys would look much better with the sexy black/aluminum makeover they gave their iMacs. It just looks bad to me though.

I'm typing this on a Macbook, and I actually like the keyboard. Sony uses it in their ultraportable TZ line too, which is a great idea because the keys are so flat. Maybe we'll see an Apple ultraportable with this keyboard design sometime in the next year.

[Taylor @ Sep 4th 2007 2:52PM]

Damn, i've been wanting a revolution, and i need a new keyboard... But that price tag hurts. $70-90 for a keyboard! (the mouse is $80-100 by itself) :(
-Taylor

[REDbULL Runner @ Sep 4th 2007 11:10PM]

For the mouse, Check amazon. I got mine, Brand new, for $40 shipped... and have loved every second of using it.

[TeddyN @ Sep 4th 2007 3:03PM]

I like that time and date display... It's so easy to lose track when playing a game... I might get the keyboard just for that (too bad it isn't wired though).

[Richard @ Sep 4th 2007 4:52PM]

You should look at the Logitech G-15 with the clock. Amazing keyboard, especially for gaming. That and the G-7 wireless mouse. Has lightweight battery which ejects like a cartridge.

[August @ Sep 4th 2007 5:09PM]

Can't speak about the mouse, but the keyboard is a must.

I originally just wanted a backlit keyboard so I wouldn't disturb the GF late at night with a light on to light my keyboard, and now it's like I can't even use a keyboard that isn't backlit.

Although be on the lookout, Logitech is supposed to coming out with a new G-series keyboard, so that means hopefully two things: it will have more/better features than the G15 and the G15 may drop in price. Both good things in my book.

[Brian @ Sep 4th 2007 3:11PM]

I too have the MX5000, and it's a piece of shit. I can get it connected, but the keep disconnecting spontaneously and start just repeating the last key I press. Which is completely unacceptable, I've had the keyboard just about eliminate a paper before. Thank God for undo. Plus, with the SetPoint software that you have install to use any of the advanced features, you can't use the mouse. It's a complete resource hog so you can't get much accuracy from the mouse. I'm sure, Logitech is still going to us the SetPoint software with their new product, so most of the problems are probably going to still be there.

[gul @ Sep 5th 2007 5:43AM]

Yep, I have the same Setpoint problems with my combo. After uninstalling SetPoint, it worked fine and no disconnects anymore - but I lost all the extra functions ....

[Kieran @ Sep 4th 2007 3:32PM]

That keyboard is basically a slightly modified Logitech MX3200

[ocellnuri @ Sep 4th 2007 3:51PM]

Another Windows-only combo from Logitech? I've been looking for a replacement for my old MX700/Keyboard combo for my iMac, but all of the new combos don't have Mac drivers or Mac labels on the keys. What's the deal Logitech??

[August @ Sep 4th 2007 5:09PM]

Maybe it's because macs compose under 10% of the computer market share.

[Matt @ Sep 4th 2007 9:57PM]

True, but compared to PC users, a much larger portion of Mac users are willing to spend money to improve their experience, especially on high-end gadgets.

I'd be willing to bet that at least 50% of those who have preordered the Optimus Maximus keyboard are Mac users.

[ocellnuri @ Sep 4th 2007 10:01PM]

Matt, that's a point I wasn't certain how to articulate, you've said it perfectly.

Also, Logitech has had great Mac support in the past, it's not a new concept for them. I don't understand the choice to discontinue it on their flagship products.

[Hex @ Sep 4th 2007 4:04PM]

I've been waiting for this duo, I want something to replace my MX3000 duo which is starting to crap out. I almost purchased the Revolution by itself, but I want something thats a set with the revolution. Viva Logitech!

[eh @ Sep 4th 2007 4:16PM]

STAY AWAY FROM LOGITECH BLUETOOTH MICE!!!!

I cannot stress that enough. STAY AWAY! I have the bluetooth DiNovo set and the bluetooth is horrendous for mice. They use a proprietary non-standard bluetooth dongle which is extremely finicky about connecting devices, its a complete gamble and can take over an hour of reinstalls before you get a working keyboard and mouse. The mouse is extremely laggy (as in it moves in slow motion and has a mind of its own) and unless you place the dongle on an extension cable or a usb port on the monitor then the mouse is so laggy that its literally impossible to use. They keyboard works fine though.

Logitech RF products are fantastic, but their bastardized version of bluetooth is HORRIBLE. Buyer Beware. Im amazed that Logitech hasnt been sued for this unusable garbage yet.

[gul @ Sep 5th 2007 5:57AM]

Whow, wait a bit there. There are some problems with these Bluetooth devices, but there's more than meets the eye. I'm currently using the DiNuovo keyboard + MX1000 mouse combo plus the standalone MX900 mouse.

- first of all, the dongle is not proprietary in terms of Bluetooth. Just the plain specification and it runs with a standard Widcomm stack. So, obviously you _don't_ need the dongle at all if you have Bluetooth on board (and I never used the dongle)

- a lot of connection errors are due to Bluetooth stack errors, and Logitech cannot be blamed on that. I had a lot of problems with the older Widcomm 4 BT stack on my laptop. After I upgraded to the Widcomm 5 stack, nearly all my disconnect problems disapeared.

- Now Logitech SetPoint (the driver software to activate the extra functions) is _really_ utterly crap. This software messed my system up so many times, with each new update. And the install procedure is really not from this world. So I trashed it. Voila, it works perfectly, albeit without the extra buttons ...

- Some products also seem to have buggy Bluetooth hardware implementations. My keyboard works like a charm, also my MX900. But the MX1000, there you are right, lags horribly to the fact that it is nearly unusable...

[daddycool @ Sep 5th 2007 12:24PM]

I have and use all three devices that this combo is based on (different offices). The MX3200 Keyboard is good and reliable but has limited features, you have to set the clock manually, the auto integration of the MX5000 keyboard isn't there. The MX5000 combo which includes the MX1000 laser (best mouse EVER, even though the Revolution wheel is awesome) Would be perfect except for the fact that no matter how many setpoint updates and Bluetooth stack reloads you do. THE GOD DAMN KEYS DON'T STOP REPEATING sometimes!! The most annoying thing ever. I was going to get these for my users but went with the MX3200 instead even though I didn't really want to.

It's funny, they act like Bluetooth is some "Premium" feature that all the top of the line models have now , even though THE RF WORKS WAY BETTER. Until they go back to RF, I'll keep my RF Revolution and what ever other keyboard I can get a hold of. I never use any of those other buttons anyway except the volume.

[Kal-El @ Sep 4th 2007 4:29PM]

DO WANT

[oxfdblue @ Sep 4th 2007 4:38PM]

Ah another Logitech wireless item to piss off angry users everywhere.

As I type my MX3200 sits on a near by bookshelf and my fingers peck away on the trusty wired Dell keyboard that came with my system.

The Logitech break contact with its radio link about two, three times a minute. That I have slammed the keyboard against the wall is rather surprising. The mouse is sort of okay, it limits its tempermental connection to a couple of times a day.

When this happened with the keyboard, you needed to either restart the computer or at the least take the batteries out of it to restart things.

In short, if I had burned the cash I spent on it, I would have gotten more out the heat that the flames would have created then the keyboard.

Beyond all that- Logitech did something weird to the placement/shape/angle of the keys themselves. I type at about 50-60wpm, on the 3200 my speed dropped to about 10wpm...constantly hitting the wrong keys.

Where is a wireless Model M, full sized keyboard. (For those that don't know, the Model M was the keyboard that came with the original IBM PC. There was never a keyboard that was so good.)

[August @ Sep 4th 2007 5:07PM]

Maybe you shouldn't slam your peripherals against the wall. Maybe then they will work.

I have had about half a dozen RF Logitech keyboards and mice and they are all fantastic. Every time someone uses one who hasn't before they ask me where I got it and how much it cost.

My old ones are super easy to farm out once I want another set. I feel good that I'm helping better someone's computer experience when I give one away.

[oxfdblue @ Sep 5th 2007 4:50PM]

Actually, that should have read "that I haven't" slammed it against the wall.

If I had the chance, I much prefer to use it against the heads of the morons at Logitech who designed this POS.

[a random John @ Sep 4th 2007 6:38PM]

I've been waiting a year for an MX bluetooth mouse. I'd even buy this combo just to get the mouse. Hopefully mouse works without the keyboard or a stinking dongle. Why would I want a dongle if I already have bluetooth? Why is Apple the only vendor that sells a semi-serious BT mouse?

[eh @ Sep 4th 2007 7:52PM]

The dongle is required if you plan on using the drivers to use the extra buttons. There is absolutely no point whatsoever to buy these horrible products. Logitech bluetooth devices require a dongle and are some of the worst performing peripherals the world has ever seen; Logitech RF devices require the same sized dongle and perform flawlessly. The advantage of using the real bluetooth inside a laptop doesnt apply to Logitech products. If you need wireless then either get RF from Logitech or get bluetooth from another brand.

[gul @ Sep 5th 2007 6:02AM]

eh, before posting check what you say. The dongle is _not_ needed (in fact, this makes BT mice so attractive for Laptop users) and even SetPoint is not needed when you don't care about the extra buttons!

[Alex @ Sep 4th 2007 7:41PM]

for everyone who has used the mx5000 set, I have heard that it works great in Vista. just a fyi...

[moe @ Sep 4th 2007 8:31PM]

the mx5000 works ok with vista not great by any means. as far as this version is concerned the mx1000 mouse is far more comfortable then the mx revolution. the keyboard is nice, but does not seem to be all that different then the mx5000. i don't think i will ever buy another bluetooth keyboard again, there is just too many issues with vista. i am slowly trying to convince myself to get a wired gaming mouse.