Microsoft Keyboard - Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader (BZ5-00002)

I wanted a new mouse and keyboard, and when I saw this package I was intrigued by the fingerprint reader. And skeptical too. Like the title of my review says though, it's amazing. The fingerprint reader was so easy to set up and works like a dream. If you're like most internet users, with an ever-growing list of logins and passwords, then I promise you'll love this feature. The keyboard itself is very comfortable and has lots of cool features, like easily programmable 'favorites' buttons for launching commonly used programs, and other buttons that I wasn't expecting that were a great bounus: like My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, Mail, Web/Home, Messenger, Calculator, and more. Also buttons for controlling speaker volume and media playback. The wireless optical mouse that's included is great -- also easy to set up, fast and smooth cursor control, good scroll wheel with tilt feature for horizontal scrolling. I have average to smaller hands and the mouse fits me perfectly. If you have large hands you may find it a little small.Overall, I highly recommend this optical desktop package.

I bought this keyboard and mouse for my Windows Vista 64 bit machine. I was a little disappointed when I found out Microsoft does not support Windows Vista 64 bit with a driver or software to drive the biometric portion of the keyboard. So, I hooked it up to my wifes Windows XP 32 bit system and she is happy as can be with that fingerprint reader. Everthing works great and she can just swipe her finger to log in. No long delays in IE 7 as some reviews report. I'll find a different biometric solution for my Windows Vista 64 bit system. Overall I like this keyboard because it is NOT wireless. I've had problems with my current wireless keyboard being recognized by the USB receiver sometimes. My wife doesn't have to worry about it with this keyboard. The important thing to she and I is that the mouse is wireless. That chord hanging up on things really bugs us when scrolling around. Four thumbs up from us.

When I say "does not work", I mean the web site login process takes 15-20 seconds to complete, which totally 100% defeats the purpose of using a fingerprint reader if your goal is to save time. I actually called Microsoft and they confirmed it is an issue, and said something about all the extra IE7 security getting in the way of the program, blah blah blah. Really, the problem is with the DigitalPersona third-party software Microsoft puts their name on. There IS a 2.0 updater, which I installed of course, but still took almost 20 seconds from the time I swiped my finger to the time the info was transmitted to the site. It's not just my computer. Google it, you will find lots of complaints.It's too bad, because I really like this keyboard. But I'm returning it because waiting 20 seconds defeats the purpose.By the way, the fingerprint reader built into my new Dell laptop works instantly with IE7. The software is from a different company than DigitalPersona.If you need a fingerprint reader for strictly security reasons (and not speed) then this keyboard is probably fine. But there are warnings all over the place that the fingerprint reader is really not a "high security" feature. It's just for convenience.

Only positive thing about this key board was how comfortable it is. Other than that this thing sucks! Most frustrating thing is that there are no drivers for this with a 64bit computer! Not for vista or 7 anyways. There was a forum like 3 years old saying they were working on one but I couldn't find one. So nothing cool works on the keyboard like the fingerprint scanner. Not wireless, and mine didn't come with a mouse either. When this thing got to me it looked like it was thrown against a wall and then somebody spilt soda all over it. The keys stuck and had deep scratches all over it. This thing is more of a toy then a tool do not buy for fingerprint reader! Buy a separate one and some good software not Microsoft crappy stuff.

After installing the lap top software to enable the shortcut keys, my laptop exhibited some bad behavior. If I remove it from the docking station and carry it to a conference room to plug into a projector, when I hit Func-F8 to switch the display mode, the screen blinks and flashes, and maximizes the magnification such that I cannot even display powerpoint. This may be my company's firewall and other security stuff, but removing the keyboard software fixed it.Also the fingerprint reader response is very, very slow. 20sec or so between putting my finger on the spot and getting the logged in screen.

I find the fingerprint reader reliable and very, very handy. In addition, the standard layout keyboard has a nice typing feel...not too mushy nor clicky. I like the wireless mouse for its simplicity (no side buttons) and it fits my hand well.I would only remove a star because the special intellikeys (assignable keys) are not that well designed: They need to be pressed too hard and the top of the keyboard gives (bends) a little). The volume control keys are particularly bad.