Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000

I've been using this KB since 2011. The slight curve is an ingeniously simple solution to the natural hand placements while keyboarding. I have bought 4 KBs to last me a long time.This KB has been by far the most comfortable to use out of a dozen or so different keyboards I've used over the years.The size is just perfect. A mouse can be placed in a spot next to the KB where there is no reaching beyond the natural extension of the hand.Cons:(1) 3 sides of the top shell are covered with rubbery material that makes it hard to clean. I've removed that layer with alcohol and acetone.(2) The bottom pads are too thin. A bit more thickness would give it an ever so slightly more satisfying tactile feel.Bottom line: if they re-introduce this KB, I'd buy it again and stock up.

OverviewFantastic design and feel for the keyboard. Great key action, it's very similar to the Microsoft ComfortCurve keyboard in layout and key motion. High responsiveness could be used for games although it is certainly not built as robustly as a gaming keyboard. Bluetooth connectivity is a problem from time to time and turn-on delay can be significant after it goes into power-save mode (sleep state). Wonderfully small form-factor fits perfectly inside my smaller laptop bag that houses my ultra-portable 13-inch-screen ASUS UL30VT.Build Quality and Design: 8 out of 10The entire external shell of this keyboard is made out of plastic. The bottom is white, not silver or black. I would prefer a silver colored bottom if an accent color was necessary, or just a continuation of black. The top shiny black bar of trim sucks up fingerprints easily but is also easily wiped off. The black area immediately surrounding the keys has a rubberized texture to it like many Logitech mice have. Time will tell if this coating will rub off or not, but it feels robust enough to hold up to lots of use.If twisted while grabbing the edges, the keyboard flexes a bit. Since it's so thin I would expect this. It does not feel fragile, but this isn't your father's old IBM weapons-grade keyboard. The smaller edge is almost axe-like although not sharp, it does end in a nice blunted taper. This small leading edge along the palm entirely eliminates the need for a wrist rest of any kind. It has exceptional ergonomics if used on a desk or flat surface. Easily one of the most comfortable keyboards I've used.Contents of Box: 9 out of 10The product box is surprisingly small and has a nice weight to it.Other than the keyboard and the 10-key keypad there is a protective pouch for the keypad that is made out of a gray denim material included in the box. The pouch material isn't particularly amazing and the color choice seems odd since it matches nothing on the product, but at least there's something to put the keypad in. There is no such cover for the keyboard included in the box, and I haven't seen one sold as an accessory.There are three AAA Energizer batteries in the box. The first round of batteries is on Microsoft. They are difficult to locate since they are tucked in a small white box wedged into the efficient packaging.The oddly folded "Getting Started" manual is understandable enough and has more languages than I ever would have guessed was required.Function: 10 out of 10The keyboard can be used without ever using or connecting the keypad. Or just the keypad can be used without the keyboard, for those in need of an expensive 10-key solution. Each device registers as its own Bluetooth device. The keyboard responsiveness is great, even good enough to play FPS games with from 10-feet away. Although I can't say this is a gaming keyboard it could work for that purpose.The on-off switch is perfect for shoving this keyboard into a laptop bag. But it does add some conscious effort on the part of the user. If the physical switch is not shut it off when the keyboard is shoved into a laptop bag the keys will inevitably get pressed and batteries will not last.Connectivity: 5 out of 10It takes a long time to wake up from a sleep state. I've measured as much as 5-10 seconds. One time so far the keyboard never woke up at all after going into sleep mode. I had to cycle the power switch on the bottom of the keyboard to reconnect the device. I find this unacceptable for the price tag. It's related to the Bluetooth technology, which I still have not seen work as flawlessly as the industry claims. That considered, I've used a few RF wireless keyboards that loose keystrokes and have been unreliable. I would take this keyboard over any of those units. As far as choosing the lesser of two evils I'd go with this Bluetooth unit over the RF devices I've used any day.Most laptops ship with Bluetooth built in but might not have that connection turned on. There will be no extra hardware needed to connect this device to such laptops. Desktop systems do NOT usually have Bluetooth built in and will require a Bluetooth USB adapter. That adapter can be found anywhere from $8 to $25 depending on where they are purchased. Keep that extra expense in mind if you intend to use this for a desktop system.Score: 4 out of 5I had to subtract one point for the sometimes frustrating connectivity that afflicts all Bluetooth devices, this one included. Otherwise this keyboard is solid, designed well and functions great.

Its been Years since I have purchased this keyboard.I don't know if even they still make this model Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard any more. Any way I love the keyboard and I have used it on 4 different tablets and 3 desktops computers. It still looks and feels great has no known quirks. I bought a high dollar tablet recently and I purchased a so called keyboard supposedly made specifically for the tablet and was a real dud.So I pulled out the old Microsoft 6000 and it acts like it should belong to it. Any way it still has a good feel to the keys and its still doesn't lag and pairs quickly and stays with it even if the tablet sleeps. Bottom line it was one of my better bang for my buck purchases. Hope yours last as long. BTW my batteries have lasted as long as a year with this keyboard. I am a Logitech man when it comes to keyboards and mice, but this little gem has held up very well.

I'm satisfied with this keyboard kit.Both keyboards work well with my 13" Macbook pro.They also work great with my iPhone and iPad running iOS 5.I was surprised that both my iPhone 4S, and first generation iPad, were able to pair to two bluetooth devices at once. My iPhone and iPad can play bluetooth audio and pair with both keyboards at the same time. The tab keys and arrow keys work as expected in iPhone mail, iWork, and Documents to go. I can arrow and tab between email fields and spreadsheet cells. My iPhone office software is suddenly much more useful. The volume and mute keys even work with the iPhone and iPad.The key feel, feedback, and travel is more like a larger desktop keyboard than a Macbook keyboard. The feel is more substantial than the Apple "chiclet" keyboard. The keys have nice travel and feel. The odd ergonomic shape is not difficult to type with.I wouldn't call it a compact keyboard, but it is light and relatively thin. You could travel with both, but I only travel with the number pad. It's nice to have them separate so I have the option.Pairing with Mac OSX and iOS is easy. You put the KB in pairing mode, select the keyboard, and type a few characters to complete pairing. On the Mac, a "keyboard setup assistant" will pop up and tell you it isn't paired, but this message is just wrong. Simply close the message and use the KB.I love the number pad, which is the main reason I bought this KB kit. It's small enough to fit in my compact laptop bag and is very convenient. Waking it is not really an issue for me like with other reviewers. To wake it after a period of inactivity, just type on it.Mine was shipped quickly by a marketplace seller and is a "used-like new" item, which saved me a bundle. A great product at the regular price and a great value if you find a discounted used item. I love buying used from marketplace sellers because the transaction is backed by Amazon.I only have two negatives which prevented me from awarding it a five-star review.The first negative is the fact that it only stays paired with one bluetooth device at once. I have two computers, and iPhone, and an iPad which I would like to use these with. When I switch between devices I must pair them again.The second negative, or neutral item, is build quality. The build quality is good but not great. It's a plastic keyboard and feels like one. The on-off switch and pairing button on the back are ridiculously tiny and difficult to operate. Build quality is only about 3-star. I'd pay $20 more for an Apple-quality item, but Apple doesn't offer a number pad like this one. I read tons of reviews before buying and this seems to be the only reliable wireless keypad available for Macs.If you ever wish you had a number pad on your mac, buy it. If you ever wish you had a keyboard for your smartphone, buy it. I'm really surprised I don't see these more often. It's a great product for modern mobile computing.