In the test 15 years ago: The best multimedia keyboard came from Microsoft

In the test 15 years ago, the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 (test) was Microsoft's attempt to replace Logitech's very successful diNovo Edge as the best wireless multimedia keyboard. With a market price of 119 euros, it was slightly cheaper than the 135 euros diNovo Edge and offered the better multimedia functions.

Table of contents

1. 1 More memory, own cooler and LED display
2. Mixed feelings about the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000
3. Conclusion

More memory, own cooler and LED display

In addition to the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, Microsoft also had another top-of-the-line model in its portfolio, the 8000, for 299 euros, which was not yet available on the market at the time of the test. There were numerous differences between the 7000 and the diNovo Edge, one of the most important being that Microsoft included a wireless mouse worth about 49 euros with the Wireless Entertainment Desktop – the price of the actual keyboard was accordingly set significantly lower than Logitech.

Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 – Keyboard

The scope of delivery at a glance

Keyboard oblique view

For comparison: Logitech diNovo Edge and the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 keyboard

Keyboard top view

The differences between the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 were particularly striking and the diNovo Edge in terms of shape.

While the diNovo Edge was cuboid in shape, the Microsoft keyboard was curved with an additional indentation in the middle. Visually, the model from Microsoft was less clean and elegant than the diNovo Edge, which appeared simple and tidy. Microsoft managed to accommodate over 30 special functions and 105 standard keys on the keyboard. This included the “Media Center” to the left of the main button, which was set up like a remote control, the Windows control buttons to the right of the main button, and the sensor surfaces placed at the top that could be freely assigned. In view of the lack of an overview, the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 raised the question of whether a zoom or mini-application button was necessary.

Mixed Feelings with the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000

With the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, a clear distinction had to be made between two application scenarios: normal desktop use and multimedia. Anyone looking for a keyboard for the desk that also offered some multimedia functions was advised to avoid the Desktop 7000 at the time. The thin case wasn't very torsion-resistant, didn't have any rubber coating on the underside and was also comparatively low in weight. This resulted in the keyboard slipping during gaming use. Apart from that, the unusual shape of the keyboard meant that most users had to get used to it. The quiet typing noise of the keys, which also offered a pleasant pressure point, was positive.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a keyboard to control the multimedia of an HTPC from the sofa, then Microsoft is the right place for you. The built-in mouse buttons on the keyboard together with the navigation pad – a touchpad on the right side of the keyboard – allowed full control of the computer using only the keyboard. The many special keys of the “Media Center” further increase comfort.

On the other hand, operating a web browser exclusively via the keyboard was exhausting. Because the touchpad's sensitivity was low, the cursor only moved slowly across the screen – even with the highest sensitivity set. The diNovo Edge offered more comfort thanks to the separate scroll wheel.

Conclusion

When comparing the keyboards, there were only clear winners depending on the application scenario. The diNovo Edge had the better touchpad, but offered poor multimedia keys that only became visible after pressing the Fn key and could only be operated with two hands. A third hand would have been required to hold the keyboard, at least on the sofa. With Microsoft, the media keys could not only be operated with one hand, but also placed where the hands are anyway when holding the keyboard.

Compared to the Logitech diNovo Edge, Microsoft's Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 was the better product when it came to multimedia functions – assuming a firm base. However, it had a hard time as a desktop keyboard, even if it cuts a much better figure in terms of price due to the mouse that is included.

In the category “In the test 15 years ago”, the editors have been taking a look at the test archive every Saturday since July 2017. The last 20 articles that appeared in this series are listed below:

• Sparkles Caliber GeForce 8600 GT ran way outside the norm
• Xigmatek was on the way to success with the HDT-S1283
• Movie playback on GPUs from ATi versus Nvidia
• Teufel and Logitech in 5.1 exchange of blows
• Scythe's Katana 2 was the king of coolers in the middle class
• A nearly inaudible gaming PC for 3,100 euros
• Corsair's Voyager GT was the best USB stick for 100 euros
• HD 2000 with RV610 & RV630 convinced more than with R600
• DDR3 celebrated its premiere with the Intel P35 at Asus
• ATi CrossFire was 80 percent ahead – measured in dB(A)
• Halo 2 was a flop on the PC despite Vista
• Router, switch and NAS in one from Asus
• Xigmatek stirred up the market for 25 euros with Direct-Touch
• The best gaming mouse was Razer's Death Adder
• 5D ALUs didn't help the HD 2900 XT against the 8800 either
• GeForce 8800 Ultra
• The PlayStation 3 was much more than a game console
• The G84 GPU of the GeForce 8600 GTS came in 80 nm
• Five GeForce 8800 GTS 320 with G80 GPU at the limit
• Windows ReadyBoost turned USB sticks into turbochargers

More content of this kind and many other reports and anecdotes can be found in the retro corner of the ComputerBase forum.