The Digital Media Keyboard 3000 is the more basic offering of the two. The corded keyboard offers five favorite keys and quick access to features such as Flip 3D and Windows Media Player.

The 7000 bundle will retail for $130—the keyboard is not sold separately—when it is available in April. The 3000 sells for $30, and is available in June. Not bad Microsoft, not bad at all. [Microsoft]

So how good is it?

It's fantastic. Best improvement on this keyboard is, without a doubt, the magnetic dock. It's similar to the dock used in the 7000, but now has a magnetic clasp to hook into the keyboard. That means now both the keyboard and the mouse are rechargeable and wireless. Just dock the keyboard, oh, every few months or so, and you'll never run out of juice. Even the laziest of us can do this, and trust us, we're pretty lazy.

The great thing about this dock is that it doesn't just charge the keyboard, it's also got a built-in 4-port powered hub! You can even plug in the included USB Bluetooth dongle in one of the ports (especially shaped to hold it) so you won't have to give up one of your regular ports on your PC. Brilliant.

Microsoft's also swapped out the black, plasticy keys for a more silver/aluminum material which goes around the entire trim—which makes the keyboard more solid and less cheap. But underneath that finish lies a MacBook Pro-like backlight, which looks pretty spectacular when you're playing WoW at 3AM. The whole setup is controlled by a motion sensor in the wrist rest, which turns on the keyboard and backlight if you approach. The 7000 also has this sensor, but all that does is turn on the keyboard.

According to the industrial designer, they took design details from Cadillac and BMW and certain cellphones to shape the keyboard and mouse. If you're going to be inspired, might as well be inspired by the best.

The bad news is that many of the problems the 7000 had are still present in this version. Since it's essentially the same keyboard, that means the arrow keys are still too small, the touch-sensitive F1-F12 and escape keys are hard to press, the Windows key has been moved, and there's no num pad.

The guys we talked to claimed that the Wireless Entertainment Desktop series of keyboards are supposed to be used as media keyboards and not as productivity keyboards, hence the focus on styling and the difficult-to-use function and arrow keys. But, since we've been using this keyboard daily for our own blogging activities, we can attest that it makes for a more-than-decent productivity keyboard—even if you do have to look down to hit the escape key.

Would we recommend this keyboard? Only for people like bloggers, programmers or chat maniacs who are at their computer for 10+ hours a day. If you can deal with the difficult function keys, the lack of a num-pad, the small arrow keys, the weird Windows key placement and the gigantic price of $249, you'll definitely feel like you're typing on the ultimate keyboard. Otherwise, if you can do without the 4-port USB hub, the rechargeable keyboard, and the silver finish, head for the WED 7000 instead—which is available now instead of in May, like the 8000. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Microsoft]

Despite losing its graphite grey look and thus, much of its panache, the keyboard manages to still look great while performing great.

The first question is, of course, how the keys feel. If you like soft, laptop-like keys like the Kensington Slimtype keyboard then you're going to be in heaven. The keys don't make a whole lot of noise, don't go down too much, and have just the right amount of spring-back so you can type fast. However, if you're a huge nerd and love the IBM M-type keyboards, then you're out of luck.

There are a few things off the mark in the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000, though.

• Touch sensitive F1-12, Escape, Home, End, Printscreen, Scroll Lock keys. Instead of regular keys, these things are just a raised line on the keyboard that you tap to activate. Not bad if you're in the habit of looking at your keyboard when you want to find a key, but horrible if you're a touch-typist. You can't feel around for the Escape key because just the fact you're touching the key registers it as a key-press. This means you'll have to interrupt what you're doing, look down, then hit the key you're looking for. Neat idea, but lousy execution.

• The Windows key's moved. After 10+ years of getting used to the Windows key being next to the CTRL and ALT keys, they've gone and moved them to a big fan circle down in the middle of the keyboard, below the space bar.

• The arrow keys are too small. About half the size of a regular key (1/3 of the size of some of the larger keys), these arrow keys are a pain in the ass to use. If you're editing text or doing any kind of keyboard work, you'll need the arrow keys often.

• No numpad. Just like a laptop keyboard, if you want a numpad you've come to the wrong place.

But all is not lost. There are some neat features Microsoft added that don't suck. There's a touch-sensitive pointer deal on the right side of the keyboard you can use in place of a mouse. Kind of like a touchpad, but smaller. There's a dedicated Media Center key, playback keys, record key, mute key, and volume and channel keys. Great if you're using this on a Media Center machine.

Then there are the Vista specific functions such as the Microsoft Live Messenger dialer, the Vista key, and the gadgets key. We don't have a copy of Vista here yet, but when we do, we'll update with what we think of these.

As for the mouse, well, it's a standard Microsoft mouse. Suffice it to say we usually buy Microsoft's keyboard/mice combos for the keyboard, then buy a separate Logitech mouse to use instead. Like all Microsoft mice, the scroll wheel has no grip and is way too smushy, the side keys are misplaced, and there aren't enough special keys.

If you're somehow a fan of MS mice, you'll be happy that the mouse charger works great. Instead of docking vertically like Logitech mice do, it's just a flat tray that hooks into grooves in the mouse. No slip and guaranteed contact every time. Plus it's symmetric, so weirdos lefties can use it too.

In short, we love the keyboard but hate the mouse. The keyboard could do for another round of design work—ditching those touch-sensitive keys would be a nice start—but it's definitely good enough to use on a daily basis. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Amazon]

I ripped its box to shreds getting it out of its casing. And then noticed that this isn't the backlit model. Still, it's the nicest Microsoft Keyboard I've ever seen for 4 other reasons. Besides being skinny it has nice 1) rubberized keys, 2) function keys are are touch only, and it has a 3) proximity sensor that turns the keyboard on and off as you sit down and get up from your desk. And its gorgeous. (4)–Brian Lam

Microsoft Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 [Gizmodo]

There's a gadget button, which exposes and hides the Microsoft Gadgets—their version of widgets—a Media Center Start button, and a Windows Live call button, which starts an IM session or a call with the selected contact in Windows Live Messenger. Both the 7000 and the 8000 have 2.4GHz bluetooth connectivity, so there's no need for a dongle if you've already got Bluetooth on your PC.

The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 has a few more features compared to the 7000, like the automatic backlight adjustment that turns itself on or off depending on your proximity to the keyboard. Run to the bathroom, and your keyboard will know. We imagine this can also be used to automatically set you away on Windows Live Messenger as well, showing your entire buddy list that your Irritable Bowel Syndrome hasn't disappeared as quick as you'd like them to think.

In addition, the 8000 can pair with the Wireless Laser Mouse 8000 to charge both devices simultaneously. There is also a three-port USB hub built in, to hook up your other desktop devices—you know we've got tons.

The Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000 will be $149.99 in January 2007, and the Wireless Entertainment Desktop 8000 will be $249.99 in February 2007. – Jason Chen

Press Release [Microsoft]