From the Dark Side--What the Windoz Salesman didn't mention

According to James Coates' Computers column in the Chicago Tribune, a reader wrote that they bought a new HP Windows Media Center Edition computer and the salesman talked them into also buying a wireless keyboard and mouse. The reader's plan was to use their new digital TV as a monitor for the Wintel box and to record TV shows and view them later. The wireless keyboard and mouse were to allow controlling things on the computer from across the room, including Web surfing and dealing with email.

What the salesman didn't tell them was that the RF-style Wintel wireless keyboard and mouse have a range of about 6 feet, not nearly far enough for the intended job.

"It's a shame that most Windows computer owners have those 6-foot-range wireless keyboards and laptops while folks in the Apple orbit now can order iMacs and Mac mini-computers with Bluetooth keyboards and mice that work from up to 30 feet away." Coates wrote in response. "For years now, specialty Windows keyboard makers have used a version of weak radio signals that, as you note, have a range of only about 6 feet. But while Windows users wait for a generation of Apple-type Bluetooth keyboards and mice, there are a few workarounds, including somewhat costly souped-up radio keyboards and several strategies that are inexpensive but not ideal."

Macs rule! More... [Dana Baggett]