Home > Consumer Reviews > Logitech Pro 2800 Cordless Desktop - Keyboard - wireless - 2.4 GHz - mouse - USB wireless receiver - grey, black - English - United Kingdom - OEM

I decided (after extensive research) that this Logitech Pro 2800 Cordless Desktop OEM set offered the best quality/price ratio for my needs. I looked at some others in the Logitech, Microsoft and Kensington ranges, but many of them used the 27mhz wireless technology...this works about 2-3 feet from the receiver. As far as I'm concerned, you may as well buy a wired set if that is the best a desktop set can manage. And you'd be surprised at just how many Logitech 'desktop' sets in particular employ 27mhz technology. Now, as Logitech class this Pro 2800 set as being in their 'Business' category, they know they need to make a set that works well and stands up to heavy usage. They also need to make sure it can work in an environment where there could be several people all using the same wireless keyboard/mouse, and make them work without interfering with one and other....as well as work at a variety of distances. This is where the 'Logitech Advanced 2.4ghz' technology that the Pro 2800 set employs really shines out. Unlike 27mhz, 2.4ghz can work at up to 10m (about 30ft) in an ideal environment. You will find that this can vary from user to user, depending on several factors, but everyone will at least find it works much further away from the receiver than 27mhz will. I've personally been getting about 5m away before I notice it start to struggle and drop characters or lag behind, which I have to admit is very odd as the Dell set it has replaced was also 2.4ghz tech but that worked from the full 10m away (what is odder still is that the Dell set was a Logitech manufactured OEM too)....but I cannot knock stars off the Pro 2800 for that as it IS working flawlessly from where I need it to (about 5m from the USB dongle). But I thought I'd mention that so other buyers are aware. I suppose it would be perfectly feasible to extend the range by the use of a commercially available USB hub or extension lead, by having the supplied USB dongle/receiver set further away from the PC itself...or rather nearer to where you want to use the keyboard/mouse.

Now, as it is classed in the Logitech business category, you would be forgiven for thinking the keyboard lacks the kind of touches that a home/multimedia user would like. Not so. There are 14 multimedia keys all set to defaults, such as opening your browser, email, favourites, media player, calculator, volume controls, sleep/hibernate etc. These will work at defaults out of the box (as will the whole set), but by the use of Logitech's Setpoint software (not included but can be downloaded freely from the website), you can assign any setting you like to these multimedia keys. I advise downloading Setpoint software version 4.80...I have it installed and it correctly recognises both the keyboard and mouse as the correct models, and it works flawlessly. The website advised downloading Setpoint 4.60b ('b' for business) for this Pro 2800 set, but I ignored that as I was worried it would scale back on the multimedia settings.

It is only fair to mention that the keyboard is quite 'clicky' in operation, and I do not doubt there are quieter options available, but I personally do not mind this...and I have heard much louder anyway. What is important is that it doesn't drop characters, which is what my brand new Dell set I had previously was doing - with that if you never struck each and every key with considerable accuracy and force, it would drop characters frequently. Thankfully not the case with the Pro 2800...which came as a huge relief after spending yet more money to get over Dell's shortcomings.

Onto the mouse:
Well, what more can I say other than it is the Logitech MX620 Laser mouse....possibly the finest wireless rodent in the world of home computing. I've certainly heard a LOT of other people refer to it as such (it's easily up there with the Logitech Revolution in terms of quality). It's just BEAUTIFUL...and bought commercially in retail clothing it is often priced at £30, so this set is the best way to buy the MX620 mouse (as it basically means you get a damn fine wireless keyboard too for £15-£20...or less if you shop around for the Pro 2800 set itself - I paid £39.99 for my set but I've seen it as low as £35 on rare occasions). The mouse employs 1000dpi for excellent accuracy, it is ergonomically shaped for luxurious comfort (for right handers at least), and it also employs the unique Logitech 'Microgear©' Precision Scroll wheel technology for "hyper-fast scrolling". Normally at this point I'd laugh off such commercial fancy titles as a load of old guff, designed to fleece you of your money, but this one actually DOES benefit the user (for a change). Basically the scroll wheel is metal, it is perfectly weighted/balanced, and it is frictionless.....meaning it spins freely on its axle. This means that with one flick of the scroll wheel you can scroll through thousands of lines/pages in a fraction of the time a conventional 'click click' mouse wheel could. This is very handy indeed for long documents, internet or explorer pages. Sometimes, though, you just might want the conventional feel of a 'click click' friction wheel....not to worry, flip the mouse over and there is a gear switch to flick between friction and frictionless scrolling. Just brilliant! I personally leave it on the free spinning mode 90% of the time, I really like it this way. Although now and again I accidentally flick the wheel and lose my place.

You may have noticed while browsing Amazon that there is also a Logitech cordless desktop set called the 'Logitech Pro 2400' available. Well I can confirm that this set comes with the exact same keyboard (with slightly different colouring only) but that it also comes with a MUCH lesser quality mouse. I'd avoid this set if I were you, as if you look on the Amazon reviews, several people have mentioned the mouse dying on them within days or even hours. It is WELL worth the extra few quid to get the Pro 2800 and its amazing MX620 laser mouse instead. Oh, and the Pro 2400 comes with a clip on palm rest for the keyboard....whereas the Pro 2800 set doesn't, despite it being the same keyboard (I can even see the holes for it under my keyboard), but it is only a hard plastic 'rest' anyway...you can easily buy a nice comfy gel palm rest for your keyboard if you desire one.

So there you have it - the Logitech Pro 2800 Cordless Desktop. Quality, functionality and value...three of my favourite things...all in a plain brown OEM box. Well worth the five shiny stars! Just shop around and try and get a good price on it.

Comparing with:

Microsoft 1000 Keyboard/Mouse Set (Wireless)
Standard Microsoft "business" Optical cable mouse.

The MS pair are OK, but I have had problems with the pointer working but the click not - because I was too far from the receiver. Thought it was my PC for ages. Too far can be as little as 500mm. So that's the MS 1000 - not very good really, but kinda OK.

I have to say that I found the first review here for the 2800 too good to be true - and its copied verbatim on another vendor site - I smelled a logitech rat to go with their mice !!

But with a new PC I decided to get a better combo, and there seems to be a general agreement that 2.4GHz have a much greater range. Well this one does for sure. Works well away from the receiver and no need to play silly games and put the receiver on the desk!

So onto the mouse and keyboard.

The keyboard in perfectly fine - nothing to say really, but that's a very good thing. I don't find it clicky. I guess there may be better ones out there, but I have not used one and have used a lot worse.

The mouse is the star though. Strictly RIGHT handed, so confirmed lefty's need to look elsewhere, but its a pleasure to use. It's ergonomic in the hand, very fast on the screen AND accurate. I have used fast mice before and they are usually a pain in the aris, but this one is spot on. It's also more tolerant to surfaces - have not used on all, but it responds direct on teh desk where some others don't.

The wheel has been well covered by the earlier review.

Was going to give it 4 stars because the keyboard is just so "ordinary", but on reflection have gone for 5; he keyboard only look ordinary because the mouse is so great.

This is the second wireless setup I have had and it knocks spots off the other one (microsoft). NO problems at all from day 1. Highly reccomended