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Microsoft Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader
Introduction
Microsoft has been producing input devices for about as long as they have been coding software. The Sidewinder flight stick and Explorer mouse are nearly household names. But, Microsoft isn't alone. Logitech is more than likely their biggest competition, and with good reason - their products are usually top notch. Microsoft's Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader is an amalgam of desktop security and convenience. Fingerprint readers aren't exactly a new science. The use of biometric identification has been around for centuries as a method of personal identification. Fingerprint readers are common in police stations, government buildings and in most spy movies and novels. With the increase of digital media and the increasing ease with which alpha-numeric passwords can be deciphered, biometric logons seem a logical next step. Who will benefit from this technology? Certain home computer users may enjoy the ease of logging into Windows XP, webmail and other programs with just the touch of a finger. On the other hand (pun intended), corporate operations both large and small may welcome the security of fingerprint recognition. However, will this keyboard and its myriad of features cross Microsoft-specific boundaries and be compatible with non-MS based applications? Will there be a use for "spy novel" technology at home? And most of all, can Microsoft still build quality hardware that can compete with the other stars of the market? Let's see if the big boys over at MS still have it. First Looks Microsoft's Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader doesn't really have the flashy marketing twang that say, Logitech's MX3100 Cordless Desktop, does. But, for a keyboard and mouse combo you get quite a smorgasbord of hardware. The image-laden packaging tells a tale of the boxed contents. Product shots and feature listings adorn the sides. Inside the contents are safely packaged in cardboard to ensure safe transport.   After dislodging the products from the securely fashioned cardboard matrix, I glanced over the many buttons and gadgets that decorate the USB keyboard. Most noticeable is the oval shaped fingerprint reader on the left hand edge. Loads of fancy function buttons and pre-programmed keys are scattered along the top row, each stamped with cute little icons. Shaking the box a little more revealed the Wireless Optical Mouse companion to the keyboard. Both clad in silver and gray, they are a handsomely matched set. Also included with the Optical Desktop are the driver CDs, instruction manual, black keyboard wrist rest, two AA Energizer batteries as well as the wireless mouse USB receiver base. Not a bad spread of goodies; let's play with them.   
Page 1: Introduction & First Looks
Page 2: Testing: Keyboard Page 3: Testing: Fingerprint Reader Page 4: Testing: Mouse Page 5: Conclusion 
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Add Comment
10 User Comments 1 - Posted by
Dyrewolph
on November 7, 2005 - 8:58 pm teehehee nice review "bradford"!!! ;-) I didn't read it at all... I just felt like commenting :-D 2 - Posted by
Kurtis
on November 8, 2005 - 12:07 am *cough* /waves the ban stick in a circular motion and then pokes you with it. :poke: 3 - Posted by
blackjet
on November 8, 2005 - 3:38 am Nice review! The little scanner is cool! What happens if your finger print changes though, say you cut your finger? Can you over ride the fingerprint log in and enter a password instead to reset it to a different finger? 4 - Posted by
Kurtis
on November 8, 2005 - 11:25 am The way it works I believe is that you just need to know the actual PASSWORD to be able to set the fingerprint or change the fingerprint
5 - Posted by
handrail
on November 9, 2005 - 6:48 am actually, you can register all ten of your fingerprints at the start. plus, you can always log in the old fashioned way with the keyboard if you need to. once you are logged in as a user with a registered fingerprint, you can adjust your fingerprint scanner settings at any time. it just requires that you use an actual XP log on PW to keep your settings safe...not just set the PW to blank or something easy. brad. 6 - Posted by
blackjet
on November 9, 2005 - 7:48 am makes sense, its a nifty wee piece of kit. Not exactly essential, but fun none the less! :-)
7 - Posted by
IronSight
on November 9, 2005 - 5:51 pm It's a neat little thing, but I would think in someway it would eventually impair you from your computer :P Somehow...
8 - Posted by
Load
on February 16, 2006 - 1:28 pm There is no support for non-IE browsers, right?
9 - Posted by
handrail
on February 16, 2006 - 2:38 pm well, it will work with non-IE browsers just fine. you can set the various pre-programmed buttons to work with mozilla at least. when i tested it i got it to work with mozilla just fine. pretty much all of the buttons are programmable. hope that helps brad. 10 - Posted by
Rich
on March 7, 2006 - 10:00 am http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,1249... This is their standalone model. But it speaks volumes about Microsoft though. Add Comment To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields. |
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