On the Other Hand ...
So what's not to like? Well, for one thing, Microsoft all-too-predictably assumes you're using Internet Explorer: We tried the system with the open-source Firefox browser, but never got past the create-a-logon pop-up that precedes a working logon, no matter how repeatedly we submitted the former. For another, we wished the software offered a control panel or central screen to manage all your Web sites and passwords; editing or deleting entries or users is a painstaking, one-at-a-time job (although we were tickled to discover the "Do you wish to delete a finger?" dialog reproduced above).
Finally, there's Microsoft's boldface disclaimer in the software installation screens -- underscoring that the biometric scanner "is not a security feature and is intended to be used for convenience only. It should not be used to access corporate networks or protect sensitive data, such as financial information." In other words, the reader is kind of a cool gimmick, but a relatively minor convenience on top of your browser's existing cookies and logon recall, and Fast User Switching.
First-Class Program Control
Still, as long as you're spending the $20 or $30 premium over a keyboard-and-mouse combo without a fingerprint reader, you can enjoy comfortable typing and smooth scrolling. The keyboard couples the by-now-familiar multimedia controls -- audio volume and mute; play/pause, stop, and next/previous track buttons -- with programmable buttons for opening folders or launching programs such as My Documents and Calculator, including five "My Favorites" keys at top center plus a starred key that pops up a menu of the five faves.
As we've noted in both Microsoft and Logitech keyboard reviews for a couple of years, an F Lock key lets you toggle the 12 function keys between their default uses and a set of shortcuts such as Reply and Print; happily, Microsoft has joined its rival in offering an F Lock key that remembers or saves its status from one session or workday to the next.
Even more happily, version 5.2 of the IntelliPoint driver restores a feature we've missed, and loudly pined for or complained about, in our last several Microsoft mouse reviews: the ability to assign the mouse buttons different functions in different applications, so that clicking the scroll wheel, for example, can serve as the missing Back button in Internet Explorer but as Undo in Word.
Coupled with nearly-as-flexible launch-key choices in the IntelliType Pro keyboard driver, the software helps make the Optical Desktop with Fingerprint Reader a handsome PC control center even without the fingerprint gadget factor. Whether it's right for you will depend on how highly you value the gadget factor versus opting for a lower-priced or fully cordless keyboard and mouse set.
Events
IE 7
Firefox 2.0
