Some people like to have as many features as humanly possible. If there’s room for another button or dial, they want to have it in there. Other people prefer to keep things as clean as possible and that’s the market that is being targeted by the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. It boasts a compact size, a relatively simple design, super clean lines and it even comes with a number pad. Let’s take a closer look!
Features and Highlights
Described as a “cool combo” on the official product page, the Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is actually comprised of two parts. You get the main comfort curve keyboard and then there is a separate number pad for all your spreadsheet-creating needs. Both of these, as the name of the product implies, communicate with your computer via a wireless Bluetooth connection. Many notebooks, netbooks, and desktops come equipped with integrated Bluetooth these days, so that means that you can enjoy wireless freedom without dealing with a dongle. This is quite different from something like the Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000, since that requires a dedicated USB transceiver.
Since this is meant to be a portable solution, it’s very nice to see that Microsoft has implemented an ultra-thin design for both the keyboard and the numeric keypad. This will make them easier to stash in your laptop backpack or messenger bag when you decide to hit the road. The keypad may be available separately in the future since notebooks seem to be getting smaller and number pads are becoming increasingly rare on more portable laptops.
Both components also come with an on/off switch and a battery status indicator. There is no battery meter, however, so you don’t really know that you’re running low on juice until you’re almost completely out. Both components also cost $89.95 US as a pair which isn’t such a bad deal considering that a certain “fruit” themed computer computer sells their small bluetooth keyboard for $69.99 US with no keypad and no ergnomic curve. This combo is backed up by Microsoft’s 3 year warranty as well, further adding some value to the deal. It’s also both Windows (including the latest “7”) and Mac OSX compatible.
Included Inside the Box
Opening the box, you’ll find almost everything that you need to get started. If your computer already has integrated Bluetooth, as is the primary market for this particular unit, then you should have no trouble connecting wirelessly to the keyboard and numeric keypad. If you don’t have Bluetooth, then you’ll need to invest in a USB Bluetooth adapter.
Inside the box, you’ll get the comfort curve keyboard, the separate numeric keypad, a carrying pouch for the numeric keypad (but not for the keyboard), basic documentation, and three AAA alkaline batteries. At some point, you’ll probably want to swap out for some rechargeable batteries. The more you use it, the more batteries you’ll need to replace and that’s not so good for mother earth. You’ll notice no software in the box as it runs off the drivers in the OS via a Bluetooth connection.
What you won’t find inside is a wireless mouse. This is not meant to be a wireless desktop, per se, so you will need to provide a mouse of your own. All the frequent flyers in the audience probably already have a suitable notebook mouse in their bags, so this keyboard will help to complete the mobile package.
Setup and Connection
Since the keyboard and the numeric keypad are fundamentally separate devices, you will need to pair them individually with your computer. Using the Bluetooth adapter in my notebook, I had the opportunity to set a passcode for each device and the connection process took mere seconds. Again, no software is required when using it with Windows. In fact, there is no download available when you go to their software page. The only download available was one that was required for Mac OSX.
After the keyboard was paired with my computer, however, it still took several seconds before key presses actually registered with my computer for some reason. Further still, you’ll find that when left unused for some time, the connection seems to enter some sort of “sleep” mode where it will take a few key presses before things start showing up again. Since there is no required software to install, we can’t blame it on that.
Typing with the Main Keyboard
One of the common complaints that people have about using a netbook is the smaller keyboard. They say that it is not as comfortable to use for an extended period of time. Thankfully, you can easily pack along this Bluetooth keyboard for when you take your holiday in Cabo.
The Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 makes use of Microsoft’s signature comfort curve design. It can take a little bit of time to get used to the slight curve in the key layout, but it is ultimately more comfortable in the long run. The key travel is somewhere in between a laptop and a “full” keyboard, so that is quite comfortable as well. The keys make a positive chatter with each engagement and you may find yourself enjoying the chatter.
I am a little disappointed to see the lack of additional function keys, however. Aside from the volume controls in the top right corner, you don’t get any quick access keys to multimedia or anything like that. Further still, while there are keys for delete, page up and page down, you have to hold the single Fn key (located in between Alt and Ctrl on the right side) to get Home and End.
One of two things could have helped with this situation: another Fn key to the left of the space bar; or the shrinking of the Del key to accommodate the Home and End keys.
Another thing that bugged me was the lack of little “legs” to “prop up” the back of the keyboard. I’ve grown far too accustomed to an “angled” keyboard to really be comfortable with a “flat” keyboard.
You can see the small ledge toward the back of the keyboard, but this doesn’t prop it up high enough for me. Foldable legs would have made a world of difference for a more customized fit to a wide range of users.
Using the Bonus Numeric Keypad
It’s nice having a separate numeric keypad to go along with the keyboard, especially if you’re going to be entering several figures into a spreadsheet or you’re going to be making use of a calculator quite a bit. It’s just not the same as typing on the top row of your keyboard when it comes to just numbers. The same positive action of the keys follows through with this part of the duo.
There’s nothing really to write home about with this keypad, though it would have been nice if a single pairing process could be used to connect both this and the main keyboard to your computer at the same time. As it stands, you need to make two separate connections, though these can obviously be used simultaneously.
Final Thoughts
Clearly designed with the road warrior in mind, the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 has all sorts of redeeming qualities. The keyboard itself measures just 13.9-inches across and the super slim profile will make it an easy fit into your laptop bag. The Bluetooth connectivity is also very convenient, but some consumers may be led to believe that a USB Bluetooth adapter is included in the box (it’s not). If your laptop doesn’t have Bluetooth, you’ll obviously need to go pick an adapter up, which obviously adds to the somewhat expensive price tag.
The comfort curve design is quite comfortable, but I am saddened to see the lack of dedicated Home/End keys, as well as a lack of extra function keys. It is also quite unfortunate to see a lack of “legs” in the back of the keyboard to help provide a more ergonomic typing angle, as is the strange sleep-like mode that kicks in after a period of inactivity. I don’t get this with other Microsoft wireless combos so it must be a “Bluetooth Thing”.
I think that the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 is a good product and it can be a great accessory to pack on your travels, but it is also on the more expensive side with an MSRP of $89.95. You can find many other wireless combos (that include a wireless mouse) for a lot less money, even from Microsoft itself. However, as mentioned earlier, that “fruit” themed computer company does offer a Bluetooth keyboard of their own without a keypad or an ergonomic curve (and certainly no angle correcting feet) for an MSRP of $69.99 and a lesser 1 year warranty vs Microsoft’s 3 years.
With full Mac OSX support out of the box, perhaps that’s where the target market for this product truly lies.
Pros
- Very compact and slim design makes for easy travel
- Comfort curve design for keyboard
- Versatile Bluetooth connectivity
- Separate numeric keypad
Cons
- Pricey for “just a keyboard”
- No stands to “prop up” the keyboard to a more ergonomic typing angle
- Delayed connection after period of inactivity
- Lack of dedicated home/end keys, extra function keys
Overall Rating: 7.5/10.0
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Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000 Photo Gallery
