The Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Executive Edition is the ideal accessory for desk jockeys who value fashion and convenience over fiscal responsibility.
The hardware is remarkably similar to the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Elite, with only a few stylistic variations. So we suggest you read that review for a full account, and we'll concentrate on the differences.
The difference rest with the "unique feel" of the keyboard and mouse, which is described on the box as "distinctive finishes on the mouse and on the cushioned palm rest give you the look and feel of leather". Actually, it doesn't feel like leather at all, which we regard as a good thing. The closest it comes to leather would be vellum, which is very soft and sensual. The handset of the mouse does look like it's covered in leather, leading to the appellation of "gimp mouse".
In pretty much all other ways the Executive edition is the same as the Optical Desktop Elite. We found installation easy, although the software for the mouse insisted on deleting "conflicting software", and then couldn't find the software it wanted to delete. The end result being that the Intellimouse software failed to load properly, although the only effect this had was to remove the mouse's horizontal scrolling ability.
One issue we found is the stability of the wireless connection between the mouse, keyboard and receiver. Quite often a wizard popped up claiming the signal between the keyboard and the receiver was too low, and asking if we wanted to go through the process of trying to fix it. 'Yes' seemed the only intelligent answer, but we later learned that 'No' didn't seem to have much detrimental effect anyway.
The procedures to improve signal quality involved moving the keyboard closer to the receiver and pressing the reset button on the bottom of the keyboard - we found that worked every time. The mouse was a greater problem, with the pointer on the screen sometimes moving slowly or jerkily, or disappearing entirely. Although pressing the reset button on the bottom of the mouse seemed to help, we're not entirely sure whether the issue was with the mouse or the operating system. Either way, Microsoft is to blame.
That being said, we really liked the removal of two cables from the table, as well as the ability to customise the "favourites" buttons on the keyboard to commonly used documents. And the majority of the time we didn't notice the mouse and the keyboard, which is the way you want it. But don't forget this is a toy for the executive, and the AU$249.95 price tag is equivalent to half a week's wages for many people. Of course, it's equivalent to half an hour's wages for other people, who we suspect are Microsoft's target market.
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Executive Edition
Company: Microsoft
Price: AU$249.95
Distributor: Selected resellers
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