This poxy thing I bought a while back has been nothing but a pain in the arse since the day I got it. The mouse batteries last about 30 seconds, and even with new batteries in it seems to work when it feels like it. I have now ditched it and plugged my old corded mouse back in. The keyboard plays up frequently and constantly needs reconnecting to the receiver. Sometimes it just goes haywire. What a load of SHIT this truly is. This weekend I am going to buy a new, normal, corded keyboard and mouse.

Wireless, STICK IT UP YOUR ARSE.

You may have just got some dodgy kit Moose. I've got some Logitech wireless stuff although I only use the mouse now (cos I like my old ergonomic keyboard), but I've had no trouble with the mouse and the 2 AA batteries last around 2 months! (and I use the computer almost all day). Over the years I've had a few Logitech wireless and corded bits and bobs and have been happy with them all.

I did chuckle at the above Moose, I've got a wireless keyboard and mouse too. The mouse was destined to be filed under B1N the moment I bought the set, I must admit your post does bring back memories of me throwing my teddy out of me cot when I first tried to use the mouse.
TBH the keyboard works fine and I never have any trouble with it so I'd have to say if anyone wants to go wireless then forget the mouse but I'd recommend a keyboard, just don't buy a keyboard from Moose off E-bay

Mine's a pain too at times. But, after throwing away loads of supposedly flat new batteries and re-charging the re-chargeable ones...I have discovered it's *not* faulty batteries, its the flippin' infra-red thingy! This keyboard has a rollerball in it instead of a proper mouse (and L&R click buttons on tuther side of keyboard) and it gets really sticky, usually only late evening and only on Flirtbox! Other websites it works fine.....odd that. Not sure why or how.
I wouldn't go back to normal keyboard and mouse now though.

I don't know why I bothered in the first place, all I do is sit at my desk with the monitor right in front of me. It's not like I move the keyboard around or anything. Now I come to think of it I can't really see the point of them at all. No, bugger this, it's off to Tesco for a new proper keyboard on Saturday.

Hmmm, now I think about it .....

Although I wouldn't change my wireless mouse now (see above), I have to say that price comes into the equation. Buying a cheap wireless mouse or keyboard is a no-no and just a waste of money.

On the side of a corded mouse (ditto re price though), it is interesting to note that many of the best gaming mice are corded (e.g. Razerand Everglide to name but 2). I suppose how much one spends on their mouse and keyboard might depend on what they use their computer for.

Mine came with the computer, didnt get a choice. Its one of those slimline "lounge PC"s - the intention eventually being to get a tv to hook it up to....one day, hopefully before the computer becomes obsolete (whooops prolly too late, i've had it a few months already!).

I can see the point if you like sitting in an armchair or something, but I never do that, I prefer sitting at my desk. This keyboard / mouse is "Technika" and admittedly was fairly cheap, about 15 quid for the keyboard and mouse I think.

Also why are all keyboards and that nowadays BLACK? When did they start making them all black instead of white? All my PC kit is white, I want a keyboard to match thank you very much not this stupid looking black and silver thing. It's like tellies innit, not long ago all tellies came in black, now for some reason they are all silver? WHY?

I've noticed that. I was checking out tvs the other day, and one particular make - they were all black or silver - there's a white version £100 cheaper!!! Funny world.

Hhhhmmmmm my son exchanged his bluetooth headset thingy at (several different) Tesco;s - eventually he stomped on the last one with his size 15s, so he never even got his money back!! Every store he went to said "probably a dodgy batch" (shared from cornwall thru hampshire thru surrey?). I will never buy anything other than food from tesco now.

Tesco is GREAT.

Just not for wireless keyboards, obviously.

Wireless equipment - like any other computer equipment is something you have to spend money on to get anything half decent.

Ideally you'd want an laser optical mouse for accuracy and the best ones come with cradles. When you're not using it, you pop the mouse in the cradle and it automatically recharges it so you don't have to arse around with batteries.

Wireless keyboards, well they really don't tend to use batteries very frequently but again you have to buy good. You want one that supports encryption (don't want your keystrokes showing up on the neighbour's computer - which I've seen happen, oddly enough my first girlfriend's computer did it and surprise it was her ex picking up the keystrokes. He pretended not to know about it when I spotted it and encrypted it. I hope some of our luvvy duvvy MSN conversations really pissed him off though )

I had a Logitech keyboard/mouse combo for years until the buttons wore out of the mouse and then the ones on the keyboard started going. Needed them whilst at uni as I didn't have a proper desk and it was nice to sit back without being restrained by the cables (ooh er). I learnt a lot of keyboard shortcuts too because I couldn't be bothered reaching for the mouse

Most of the stuff you'll find in supermarkets is cheap bulk stuff, especially Tescos as that's what they specialise in (food/electrics/whatever). Tescos suck