Wireless keyboard/mouse w/ good signal

Right now I have a Microsoft wireless comfort keyboard and mouse set. Its comfy and works well overall, except for the fact that the RF signal sucks. Unless the reciever and keyboard or mouse are in the same plane as each other on a table etc. typing gets weird and the mouse pointer will move but I cant click. Even so much as a cup or remote control sitting between the reciever and mouse throws it off. I had a similar but older mouse from Microsoft that I got for free that was crappy too, but dismissed it as being used and old. I'm convinced that perhaps Microsofts RF desktop sets just don't cut it.

So, unless someone has a solution or advice for the above problem - I'd actually like some suggestions for good wireless keyboards, mice, or sets. I really only ever sit at most 6 ft (2m) from my computer, so I dont need something amazing and expensive, just better than what I have. Shortcut and media keys aren't a big deal, but would be nice. Battery life is also not a big deal, I have plenty of rechargable batteries.

In any case, can anyone chime in and tell me what they are using and what it performs like? What kind of distance can u get? Where do you have your reciever? What kind of possible interference are you dealing with? ( I have wifi, Bluetooth and flouecent lights that could be having an effect on the signal)

I also have a question about Bluetooth sets. Can you use them in the BIOS or in the OS without Bluetooth software? Or do you have to wait till the OS boots up fully?

Thanks in advance for your input!

I think you're right, Microsoft RF sets are horrible, I've got one that I don't use nor plan to because it would work alright sometimes, but it would always lose the signal for a few seconds at a time about every 30 seconds and usually at the worst possible time in Counter-Strike. If it's for gaming or anything I would stay well away from wireless keyboard/mouse unless there's a really good set I haven't seen or heard about yet. As for suggestions, do you think you could give us a price range?

Well... I couldn't wait. The old set was giving me headaches. I went out and splurged on a logitech mx 5500 revolution set. Works like a dream to me!

hmm maybe i'll have to look into getting another wireless set then, cause last i heard they werent very good. maybe they've changed.

and w00t 100th post

congrats!

Where did you hear bad things about it? The only complaints I have are that the HUD on the keyboard isn't backlit... and I can't figure out how to change the ABCD favorites buttons... but i haven't really tried that hard yet either.

Typing is smooth... the keys are responsive and very quiet. I'm sitting back on my couch now typing from across the room and have no problems.... I can go anywhere in my apartment and the signal doesn't fade.

The mouse is great too... the scroll wheel is prime. flick it and it freewheels... just nudge it and it goes in steps. Theres another scroll button on the thumb side that lets you use flip 3D... there is also a flip 3D button on the keyboard... all the buttons are reprogrammable.. so if you don'T have vista or don't care about flip 3D you can change the assignment of the button to just about anything imaginable. (expect 4 favorites buttons that i can'T figure out yet.... but there are plenty of other buttons to keep my occupied)... the keyboard counts your keystrokes and even tells you about how many days you have left on the batteries.

I think i made a good purchase.

no i didn't mean that one in particular, i've just seen/heard many people say they weren't good for gaming at all

I'm not really a gamer, so I can't help you there.

There are some settings in the logitech software that you can use to "enable for gaming" ... whatever thats supposed to mean...

The responsiveness in windows is just fine, i'm sure you could get it to work ok... If you're doing hardcore gaming you should really have a wired setup anyway...

Maybe I'll fire up Halo2 later on and see how it does...

yeah i prefer wired setups but a lot of times i'm space-challenged so wires get in the way.

I just don't want to sit so close to my 32 inch monitor/TV... I like to take it easy reclined on the couch when I'm computing.... the display on the keyboard is real handy for when I want to know what song is playing in itunes when my screen is off.

yeah... some of us don't exactly have the luxury of having a computer hooked up to a screen that big. 42" occasionally though

My wife and I don't watch TV that much... and when we do use the TV, its for Wii... not actual TV. I do have a separate 19 inch monitor .... but it goes unused as of late. Vista is just that much prettier in 1920x1080 (and BSODs just that much scarier too).

BTW, I got the tv for free from my wife's rich and benevolent aunt... so normally I wouldn't have this luxury either. Our previous TV was one of sharps first LCDs... a 15 inch one too... also free...

well aren't you lucky...