Topic: Wireless desktops

[Jaminxz]

Just wondered what to look for in a decent wireless desktop set? are optical and RF much sifferent??

[Sandra]

An optical mouse is a "ball-less" one and has a led in place of the usual ball, this is better as the ball and rollers never need cleaning.
A RF mouse means that it connects to your pc via a wireless link to a base station and as far as I know are always optical.
Some recharge the batteries either from an optional lead or even from the base station, others dont recharge and need the batteries replacing from time to time.
As far as I know the RF keyboards are the same, either replace the batteries or recharge through a lead.
I have never really thought that a RF keyboard had any use as it can cause more problems than its worth, whereas optical mice these days, I feel are essential and the RF ones are a very nice feature  

[Jaminxz]

Ah right thanks sandra, i was thinking on the line of rf is like a radio siganl and optical is more like a remote, as in have to poit at a particular place.

Thanks again.

[Dack]

First load of 'optical' mice were like that - I had one Many was the time I couldn't point it in the correct direction. It had a ball and an IR reciever.

Only real problem with wireless keyboards are:
a. sometimes they broadcast a bit further than expected (so people in the next room using one can get your signals)
b. some have problems in that they don't like having several keys pressed simultaneously/a key pressed at the same time a mouse movement was taking place (so you couldn't 'shift' click)

Only problems with wireless mice are:
a. Batteries always die at awkward moments
b. reaction time can be a bit slower when you play online games.