Make no mistake about it: manufacturers are increasingly keen to move your computing away from a standard desk and into the domain of media and lounge-based computing. Microsoft's latest keyboard and mouse set, the Entertainment Desktop 8000, attempts to straddle both environments, but ultimately struggles to satisfy either.

The package itself, on top of the stylish keyboard and mouse themselves - both wireless, thanks to Bluetooth technology - features a recharging station, and it's this box of tricks that Microsoft is pinning a good deal of its hopes on.

The station connects both to the mains and a spare USB port, and by resting the keyboard on it, the unit charges up. Likewise, there's a pad built onto the station that the mouse can sit on to charge up, and a couple of USB ports are mounted onto it for good measure. The station also comes with a USB port into which you need to fit the supplied USB Bluetooth adapter. It's a box of talents, albeit one that would be an odd fit for the average living room.

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Aside from allowing an hour or so of charging time, the setup is reasonably straightforward. The clear instructions certainly help, and while you'll need to fit the also-supplied rechargeable batteries, and get the various components talking to one another, there's nothing taxing about the process.

So down to business, and on the bright side, the mouse is very good. It's the Wireless Laser Mouse 8000, and we found it accurate, comfortable to use and perhaps the biggest asset of the whole package.

The keyboard - the Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 8000 - is more curious. Designed to be portable and useable on your lap, it's certainly lightweight and much thought has clearly gone into the design. That doesn't get around the fact that some wrong decisions have been made, though.

From a comfort perspective, there are no legs on the back of the keyboard to make it more comfortable when resting on a desk, while the ergonomically laid out keys - designed for a more natural approach - result in some keys being bigger than others. The Start button has also been relocated below the space bar.

The main problem is that it's nowhere near as comfortable to use as it needs to be. We frequently mis-typed letters, missed the number pad that's been excised from the side and - while the backlighting is a nice touch - didn't really warm to it. We appreciated the inclusion of a touchpad so we could have mouse control from the unit, and the media buttons mean it's a fine - if oversized - remote control. It just doesn't hit the mark as a keyboard.

The killer, though, is the price tag. Microsoft is asking £150 for the Entertainment Desktop 8000, and in spite of its innovations, the set simply isn't good enough to justify that kind of money. It's not without merits, but it's still simply not good enough.

A very expensive keyboard and mouse set that's simply not strong enough to be a worthwhile luxury.