Genius SlimStar 8000 2.4GHz Wireless Keyboard Combo

• 2.4GHz anti-interference desktop combo
• Ultra-slim keyboard design, innovative keycaps
• for great tactile feedback
• Two hot keys for volume control
• 1200 dpi optical mouse sensor for smooth
• movement control

I'm writing this review from all the way across the room with this fangled wireless Keyboard/Mouse setup from "Genius." So far I have to say I'm impressed. The range is obviously very good, with absolutely no errors in keystrokes. You hit the button, it shows up on the screen. No lag or missing keystrokes. As far as the quality of the keyboard goes, that's also impressive. It is lighweight, but sturdy, silent, good bounce back. I'm a pretty fast typist and actually find myself going even faster with this keyboard than my allegedly fancier one from Gateway. It feels good to the touch.

The mouse is also nice. A good size that would fit any normal sized hand perfect. Clicks are firm and tight, stroller button works like a charm. There is an off switch on the mouse so as to not waste battery. There is not an off switch on the keyboard, I don't know if that's because keyboards don't waste batteries or simply because they didn't feel like adding one. If somebody knows the answer, maybe they could leave a comment? The mouse requires 2 AAA and the Keyboard 1 AAA. The batteries are included.

To get the wireless working you simply have to plug in a handy USB signal reader thing into a free USB slot. There's no software to download or install. After about 5 seconds the keyboard and mouse will start working. If they do not start working, remember to turn the mouse to the "on" position.

So overall, I'm a fan. I can't really comment on how long these guys are going to last (I've only been using them a few weeks but will update my review if they suddenly crash), and although I like the feel of them, they do seem to be fairly cheaply made. Anyway, for under $30, it's a hard deal to beat. I looked for something to critique everywhere I could and so far haven't encountered anything. As always, my reviews will be updated if I discover some sinister flaw I overlooked.

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I have had this keyboard/mouse for a little over two weeks and although I like the easy set-up and size, it was advertised as having laser printing on the keys that would stand up to heavy use. This unfortunately is not true. My letters are fading fast and blending into the black keys. This is one of the main reasons I purchased it. For the price it is not worth sending back, but I will buy a different brand and keep this one as a backup. Very disappointed!!!!!!

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Well I had to think about the rating for this cause I couldn't use it right now. I bought and still own three computers in the last 10 years, all of them desktop units. The first was a Windows 98 based Dell Pentium 4, the second an XP based Dell XPS, and the current machine a Windows 7 based Dell Alienware machine. I have a very expensive gaming keyboard, with a built in color mini screen, lots of special macros and control keys. This keyboard and mouse worked fine on it, and I was surprised that the mouse was efficient enough to play Starcraft 2 without latency in movement. Unfortunately, it can't replace my gaming rig. The second machine died, and many attempt to revive it fully have failed, so I've decommissioned it. Surprisingly the first computer still works, but it's Windows 98 and is not supported by the keyboard and mouse duo.

Still Win98 is old and I can't fault a new product for not supporting it. The price on these is amazing for what you get, and the 2.4 GHz is great to combat interferance problems. I had and still work with an old Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse at work. It loses signal periodically, and once when in the test lab they were testing a number of telematic devices, every time they tranmitted, the reciever module would search for a new mouse and keyboard signal, what a pain. This doesn't happen with this duo, I'm definately going to keep it around for when I use a laptop. I hate those scratch pad mice, and a good feel keyboard is nice too, especially if you use a dock.

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This keyboard is so sleek and small, yet it is full-sized and the keys are well laid out. The mouse is very comfortable. The 2.4GHz receiver works from anywhere in my house. Previous wireless keyboards that I have had barely work at 5 feet, let alone in the front yard or upstairs. I have had it on for 3 months straight and the batteries are still going so it is power efficient and must have some sort of built in sleep mode for conserving battery life when you aren't using it.

I've never had Genius products before, but I will always consider them now.

Highly recommend this product.

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The Genius wireless/keyboard set is a good compromise between utility, quality and price. Anyone who seeks simplicity and and a space/saving quality keyboard/mouse combo should be happy with the "SlimStar 8000" and I will explain why below.

FEATURES THAT I LIKE

Space saving while still a near 'full size' keyboard is the main positive. At 16" by 4.5" and only about half an inch thick the keyboard leaves room for everything else on your desk and, being wireless, can be easily moved out of the way if needed. The keys are large enough to allow for comfortable typing.

Keyboard is actually good. I'm a fast touch typist and I found myself fast touch-typing away on this keyboard within minutes. I actually like its feel.

Sensitive 1200 dpi mouse. There's nothing special about the mouse: 2 buttons and the clickable scroll wheel other than it's extremely responsive and precise.

Ease of installation, batteries included. Once the (included) 3 AAA batteries are in place, 1 for keyboard, 2 for mouse and the USB receiver is plugged into your desktop/laptop USB port you are ready to go. All works perfectly, or it does on my Windows 7 laptop.

Clever design. As one who's spilled his fair share of coffee on his various keyboards I appreciate the 8 (counted them) water drill holes on the base that would at least partially mitigate such disasters.

Price, of course. It's quite a deal for a good keyboard/mouse combo.

THINGS NOT EVERYONE MAY LIKE

Mouse is small. 2" wide by 4" long, it works best if operated with small hands. I can still use it but an 8-10 yr. old should find this mouse ideal.

It's not clear whether the mouse on/off switch should be used to preserve battery life. I don't know for how long the battery in this mouse is going to last but, if it doesn't last 'for months' I will come back to this review and report my findings. For comparison sake I've been using a wireless Logitech mouse for more than six months now and it's still with the original battery.

Receiver is not 'nano' size. At almost 1" long, some laptop users may not something that long coming out of an USB port. Of course, not a problem if used with a desktop.

Narrow function keys. The upper row which includes Esc, the Fxx keys, PrtScr, Scroll, Pause and the speaker volume buttons are half size. Depending on how often you need to press F5 or F11 this may or may not be an issue.

MY RATING

I hesitated between 4 and 5 stars, with 5 stars meaning "I love it" because this is not a perfect product. But, the negatives listed above notwithstanding, it turns out that I actually love the "SlimStar 8000" (quite a name for a cheap keyboard). At this time I'm debating with myself whether I'm going to take it to my office or give it to our 8 yr. girl to use with her desktop. In the end... it's going to be her decision :).

Answering the question: knowing what I know today, would I buy the SlimStar 8000 if I needed a good wireless/mouse keyboard combo and price was a factor? The answer is yes so, 5 stars it is. A future downgrade is possible if battery life is not up to expectations.