Asus Eee Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Set - White

I ordered a microsoft wireless keyboard as it has the number pad on it which I thought I really wanted, that was until this keyboard arrived.
What a great little keyboard and mouse.
Feels weighty and solid not hollow and plasticky like the Microsoft.
The mouse looked a little on the small side but feels perfect in hand.
Both have great range as I have my laptop connected to my tv and I have no trouble operating it from across the room.
Fantastic quality look, feel, and range.

Recently I purchased an Apple keyboard for use with my MacBook Pro. Although the Bluetooth worked for MAC, when I installed Windows 7 through Bootcamp I couldn't the keyboard to work. I bought three types of additional reception USB receivers, but the keyboard remained dead. On the Mac side the Apple Keyboard worked well.
I loved the Apple keyboard and became worried that I wouldn't find another which had the same aesthetics, size, form, key spacings and touch. Until I came across the Asus by chance.
It is lovely to look at and if it had an Apple logo on it you would swoon over the looks. It is piano shinny white/light cream. The action is excellent and the keys a little firmer than the Apple. The keys are spaced just as the Apple. The Asus even has the '@' in the UK position so I can use it for CAD easily.
The keyboard comes with a CD consisting of drivers for both keyboard and mouse as a USB mouse is bundled with the keyboard. For £32 a real bargain as both work straight from the box.

The PROS:
It is beautiful to look at - better than the Apple.
It is inexpensive. Cheaper than the Apple with similar build quality.
The action of the keys are firm, yet retain a quiet, smooth touch. Letters and numbers easy to read - even in poor lighting conditions. I am typing this on the keyboard using only the monitor's illuminance as a light source.
The USB works straight away once the bundled driver is loaded - no messing around with Bluetooth problems.

The CONS: (which denied it 5 stars)
The keys around the middle of the keyboard: t, g, h, n, y, u, j, make a hollow sound as if there is no rigidity or the cushions underneath are missing. I can imagine that it would drive a touch typist mad. I presume that the sound is due to the keyboard being made from plastic. It doesn't bother me but it could do some people.
The USB receiver inserted into the computer is far too big and could easily be knocked-off.
As aforementioned - there is no LED to say whether the CAPITAL SHIFT in on or not.
There is no LED to state whether the keyboard is on or not.
For the price of two LED's I would have paid more for this lovely keyboard. Such a shame as all three item criticised could be improved easily.

However. It works excellently for what I use a keyboard for. I can type fast, comfortably. Some of the graphics on the keyboard are a bit weird which I presume is done to assist 'human resources' which shows consideration. Such as the numbers: 1 and 6 being set into black rings as are the up and down movement keys.
Also included is the usual Windows hot-key and everything else you would find on a Cherry except for the numeric pad.
The build quality is tough without spoiling the aesthetics.
The mouse works really well - it looks like a cross between the Apple magic mouse and my Logitech notebook mouse. The click is audible the same as the Logitech and the scroll wheel of the un-smooth type, being graded as clicks as you roll it. It does everything a small notebook mouse should do and it does it very well.
Both come with batteries and USB receiver.
Final thoughts are that 4 stars are appropriate in comparison with the Apple Keyboard and Mouse which I would give 5 stars to. However both items work without all the messing around that I find with Bluetooth, even when the Apple kit is up and running.
The combination works and looks great and in my opinion runs a very close second to the Apple. Pity, greater attention to detail could not have been given.
Oh yes, if it came with an illuminated background to the keyboard with the Cons fixed I would pay twice as much.

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Since giving this review, the keyboard USB receiver; which is rather large (50mm), broke-off. I contacted Asus customer services and they went into the mode of the 'law of diminishing returns'. In other words, they were useless in trying to help me buy a replacement. As it all started to take too much time, I resolved the issue with the Apple keyboard. I run Windows 7 on 64-bit and the Bluetooth did not recognise the Apple keyboard no matter what I did. Eventually, I found a brand-new driver (as of 12th April 2012), from the Microsoft website and installed it. The Apple keyboard works just fine. The problem now is that the Microsoft Mouse has stopped working!!

I have since thrown away the Asus as it was costing me too much time trying to find a replacement USB receiver that worked. A great pity.
However, should you purchase one of these keyboards, invest in a USB hub that has a cable on it with an USB insert at one end. That way, there will be no danger in 'snapping-off' the receiver from your computer or laptop.

So, after a glowing report. I am miffed to admit. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
Not only does Apple stuff look good, it is ergonomic and a joy to sit down in front of and work with.
Asus is I'm afraid are a company IMHO that develop products under the contrivance; most probably by the 'suits', to make money out of us by trying to associate their brand with one much more sophisticated. The Asus certainly looks very good and shapes-up well against the Apple, but it fell down under the pressure of sustained use.