Genius MM keyboard/laser mouse combo tested

TODAY, I've reviewed two input devices from Genius also known as KYE systems UK limited. Genius is known as an OEM manufacturer of dirt cheap input devices. Like many other companies though, it is starting to diversify and has quite a few items that are worth looking at.

The two peripherals on test today are the top of Genius's range models, the Ergomedia 700 keyboard and the Ergo 525 mouse. As you can guess from the names, the emphasis for both models is on ergonomics. From their website, it seems that those two are what Gamers would normally pick from their range.

Let's start with the keyboard. The package includes the usual CD driver, a small user manual and a USB to PS2 adapter. Windows XP automatically identified it as the Ergomedia and it was ready to be used after a few seconds.

The Ergomedia is packed with features and it shows. You have enough buttons here to keep four hands busy. On top of the 105 usual keys, you have two rows of dedicated keys as well as Internet Messaging, Office and productivity plus Multimedia and Internet Radio buttons as well.

But that's not all; there are two intriguing sets of buttons and a scroll wheel on the left that allows for even more creativity. The four way magic roller - where's the pun? - and the zoom in/out functions might be useful under certain circumstances.

I hate to install software or special drivers to enjoy the use of any device. That's may be why I did not get the page zoom to work at all. The scroll wheel worked wonders though and pressing the tilting roller is equivalent to pressing the page up, page down buttons.

Now the most subjective and probably the more controversial aspect of the keyboard are ergonomic. Being a purist, I have an aversion for everything ergonomic, from seats to desks, and that includes keyboard and mice.

The Ergomedia 700 is no exception. The curved keyboard layout might be a good idea but not for me as it reduced my typing speed and increased my number of mistakes. This is something very subjective and obviously there's a learning curve involved in using this keyboard. The keyboard keys are responsive but there is a little je-ne-sais-quoi which let them down. The documentation says that the tactile feedback is excellent but it also produces a slightly metallic rattling sound.

One nifty feature though that needs to be highlighted is the mic-in and speaker out jack that comes with the keyboard. That's a great idea and one worthy pointing at and works great even on my lappy.

As for the mouse, well the Ergo 525 is a 2kdpi laser gaming mouse whose design is reminiscent of gaming mice from Microsoft and Logitech. Not convinced? Have a look at the Logitech MX510 performance optical gaming mouse. Its laser engine is apparently 100x more sensitive to surface details and its sensor delivers 6.4 mega pixels per second at a frame rate of 7080 frames per second. Now if that's too much you can reduce it on the fly.

I've tested it on different surfaces including a bed sheet and it worked perfectly. It does not glide as well as some mice out there but this will also depend on your mouse pad. Ironically, I haven't tested it on a proper FPS game as my laptop is wouldn't run the latest games. Still, I managed to get a demo of Quake II running and the mouse was responsive enough for me to get a few killings before getting zapped myself.

The Ergo 525 is relatively big though and won't fit every hand. More specifically, it is a right handed, big hand oriented mice. Genius has more mice in the range that might suit those looking outside that category but none are laser based.

Like the Ergomedia 700, the Ergo 525 was rapidly detected by Windows XP. Like the Genius keyboard, it comes packed with features. Multimedia, four direction scrolling buttons and zoom buttons - you name it, the Ergo has it. One non-documented feature is the fact that you can remove the top cover of the 525 and potentially replace it with another, very easily - thereby skinning it, just like for your mobile phone.

At the end of the day, the Ergomedia 700 and the Ergo 525 are better than one can expect, especially when you factor in the cost, around £40 including VAT for the pair. Now that's not expensive. Unfortunately, you will not find them in high street retail shops where you would be able to test them first hand. That said I have no qualms in recommending both input devices foe everyday usage provided you can live with their ergonomic.

Thanks to Kevin Tarrant from More2 for loaning the keyboard and the mouse. µ