A4tech wireless keyboard and mouse

...two channels to enable 255 A4tech wireless mice to work in the same place without interfering with one another. I will take their word on this as I'm not likely to try it out.
This particular receiver is not a battery charger. However a more expensive version of this set is available with the receiver also being just that. I think this retails for around £35.



*~*~*Software*~*~*

An easy to follow ...
...you are with another 254 A4tech users) I did install this although all was working well as soon as I plugged it all in and inserted the batteries.
The set is compatible with;
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP
IBM PC or compatible system



My overall opinion is that this is a good quality product. The name is not necessarily that well known, which keeps the price down. But they work very well. ... more

When we got our computer it came with a standard keyboard. I had no problems with this at first but then my children got a computer for Christmas. I say Computer, but in fact it was just a tower. They had our old monitor and speakers. All they needed was a keyboard and mouse.

Being in their bedroom we decided to get a wireless keyboard and mouse. This meant we could keep the mouse out of reach and they had to ask to use it, enabling us to control the time spent on the PC.

We got their keyboard and mouse from an independant shop for £15. It was the A frame type and over the last year or so I have become more and more tempted to swap it with ours. But not being wireless had resisted temptation.

Then about a month ago my hubby accidently tipped a whole tumbler of orange over our keyboard. Whilst it worked Okay after, the space bar had previously become loose and was a bit tempreamental and the thoughts of removing all the keys to clean up the keyboard was just too much to bear.

So off to our friendly independant we went. Unfortunately he was out of stock so on to Staples we ventured. Staples had a good selection at varying prices. I saw a very nice one for £85 but just could not justify buying it. Then I spotted the A4 Tech Wireless keyboard and Mouse. At a few pennies under £15 it was around one of the cheapest and it is also the A frame design that I wanted.

So, why this one......

*~*~*Wireless keyboard *~*~*

For a start the keyboard is wireless. This is handy if like me you can't stand wires all over the place. They don't all get tangled down the back, or caught behind the tower. One other reason I like a wireless keyboard is that it is easier to clean. I can just move it whilst I dust and can even tip it upside down easily to get all the crumbs out...(only joking!) The keyboard will work up to 2 metres from the receiver.

The keyboard is set out in the A frame design. This means the keys are set out all leaning in. The idea of the design is to match the way your fingers naturally move and therfore help to prevent RSI (Repetative Strain Injury) in your wrists and arms. I don't work from home, so all my use of the PC is leisure but lately I have become a little addicted to Ciao which as you most likely know involves lots of typing. So this layout has been very handy. At first I found it a little difficult to get used to, and kept hitting the wrong letter or two at once, but I soon adapted.

Another feature of the keyboard is the customizable keys along the top. By default they are back, forward, stop, refresh and Web/Home on one side. Ideal if you use the internet a lot. On the other side are Search, Favourites, Email, My Computer and Calculator. As I said I only use My PC for leisure, so the default keys are perfect for me as these are the ones I use the most. but they can be programmed for other uses.

In the middle at the top, you will find more buttons. Again all useful. We have Fast Forward, Rewind, Stop, Play/Pause, mute and Volume down and up. Very useful if you tend to watch DVD's on your PC.

At the back of the keyboard are two small legs so you can have the keyboard at a slight tilt.

The keyboard takes two AA batteries. (Included)

*~*~*Wireless Mouse*~*~*

The mouse is quite slim compared to my old one. Having little hands this makes it easier for me to place my hand over it more comfortably. The mouse has a central scroll wheel to enable you to ......... scroll of course!

The mouse has a ball at the base to help it move more smoothly. From time to time it is worth removing this ball and giving the little compartment and ball a clean as it is amazing how m uch muck builds up and is often the cause for the mouse not working correctly.

The mouse requires two AAA batteries. (Included)

*~*~*The Receiver*~*~*

The receiver (which is very small compared to others I have seen) plugs into the back of you tower. One part goes in where the keyboard is normally plugged in, the other where the mouse goes. They are colour coded so even someone like me could easily work it out. All the parts have two channels to enable 255 A4tech wireless mice to work in the same place without interfering with one another. I will take their word on this as I'm not likely to try it out.
This particular receiver is not a battery charger. However a more expensive version of this set is available with the receiver also being just that. I think this retails for around £35.

*~*~*Software*~*~*

An easy to follow instruction leaflet is included for set up and installation. And a floppy disk is also in the pack in order for you to give your keyboard and mouse a code. (Just in case you are with another 254 A4tech users) I did install this although all was working well as soon as I plugged it all in and inserted the batteries.
The set is compatible with;
Windows 95, 98, Me, NT 4.0, 2000 and XP
IBM PC or compatible system

My overall opinion is that this is a good quality product. The name is not necessarily that well known, which keeps the price down. But they work very well. The angle of the keyboard has made a difference now that I hasve got used to it. My typing has sped up a little and I do not end up with my wrists aching like they did before.

I have changed the batteries in the keyboard once, as every now and again when I pressed a key it did not work. However, I am not sure this was down to the batteries, as even changing them made no difference. It was only when I pressed the ID connect button on the receiver that all returned to normal, so I suspect it may have been more down to a certain four year olds' wandering hands.

Only having two places locally that sell items such as these I cannot really compare prices. I have checked online stores such as PC World and they do not have it on their website. But then nor do Staples, which is where I bought it so it is possible that it can be bought from the actual stores.

For more information on A4tech products you can visit their website at www.A4Tech.com.

******Update*******

1/8/05 Sadly, today, we parted company. A couple of days ago the mouse had become sluggish. I changed the batteries but to no affect. Then I remembered that it had a ball and this means inner gunk. So I opened the compartment underneath, removed the ball and set to on the cleaning. One little wheel cleaned and I started on the next. But as soon as I touched it a piece of wire fell out, along with a small wheel. Arrrrgggghhhhh!!!!!!!!

After using the kids' mouse for a couple of days, I finally got to return it to the shop. They could not repair it and said we could take the lot back for an exchange, this resulted in one lot of hassle as they did not have any replacements in stock, but a compromise was agreed in the end. But needless to say I had to say Goodbye to my lovely little keyboard and Mouse. 

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