Ask Engadget: Best wireless keyboard for living room?
By Darren Murph 
posted April 17th 2009 1:34AM
posted April 17th 2009 1:34AM
Unbeknown to you, you've just stumbled upon this week's Ask Engadget. If you want to get in on this action, feel free to drop us an inquiry at ask at engadget dawt com. Before you get those gears turning, we'd invite you to chime in on Mitch's question below:"With the upcoming release of Ion-based "nettops," I'll be in the market to buy one and I'll also be looking to buy a wireless keyboard and mouse for my living room. Some things I would like to see on the keyboard are prices below $100 and backlit if possible. Media buttons would be nice but aren't totally necessary. Thanks!"
Timely question, Mitch. Considering that the AspireRevo is just the first of many miniature PCs that'll undoubtedly be headed to dens across the globe, we figure you're not alone in wondering about the perfect keyboard to pair with it. So, readers -- whatcha got?
The Dinovo Edge is a great, with best in class TouchDisc touchpad with the best scroll method out there...just spin your finger like a jog dial, stop and go back the other way.
BUT: The edge has a TERRIBLE charging mechanism...it is unusable while charging basically. It is difficult to get the keyboard into the charger properly, and unless you use 2 hands it is hard not to hit the 'connect' bluetooth button when doing so. Battery charge goes to crap after a few months. I am down to 3 days for a full charge. The media keys are not dedicated, so you need to use 2 hands to do anything if you use Media Center. It occasionally disconnects for 10 seconds then reconnects. When I restart my computer, occasionally the keyboard, mouse or both aren't working until I replug the dongle. The keyboard is only usable in BIOS/pre-Windows mode with the supplied USB dongle. The white lettering is rubbing off after a year. The volume slider takes too many swipes. The Logitech drivers are TERRIBLE as well, but fortunately you don't need them.
Still despite this, best keyboard I've had. Just hope Logitech comes to their senses and makes the battery changeable in the next version, and fixes the other issues.
The Dinovo mini is a disappointment: It is bigger than it should be to feel like other phone type keyboards out there and still be missing so many keys. ESC, DEL, and a few other key ones are missing (need to use the FN button to get them). The volume buttons aren't nearly dominant enough, as are the rest of the media keys. The touchdisc is pretty bad compared to the edge: It doesn't have the same scrolling like a jog dial, which was disappointing, and the fact that there are no dedicated arrow keys, just the mouse to arrows switch (the touchpad acts like a joystick hat). And the stupid cover shell.
It goes by many names including X-Gene and the 2 links below. but I have 2 of them and would def order again.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823202006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823166079
i bought the microsoft wireless entertainment set (wireless entertainment 7000 keyboard and wireless laser 8000 mouse) a couple weeks ago to use with my media center...it works great, plus if youre going to go wireless, youre better off with bluetooth than IR. ive honestly been a big fan of microsoft keyboards for awhile, using the natural ergonomic 4000 for the last 5 years. and the wireless entertainment combo set is much cheaper than the logitech similar bluetooth set.
costs about $89.99 for the oem version from newegg (but that doesnt come with the bluetooth dongle).
I bought the same combo about 3 years ago (as you can read in my post on the previous page) and it's really the best wireless desktop I have ever seen for HTPCs
. Before I had a diNovo ege but while it's also a nice kboard, it's just not practical in living rooms, due to its weight and size.
I'm convinced we've got the best HTPC K-board money can buy atm.
A netbook and Logmein
http://www.ps3vault.com/top-5-reasons-to-get-logitech-ps3-wireless-keyboard-885
It's designated for the PS3 but works with PC's as well. It's slim, cheap, has a track pad, and is great on batteries.
I picked it up for $20 Canadian.
I have my MacMini hooked up to my living room tv. I use my laptop as a keyboard and mouse using Teleport. Works great. http://abyssoft.com/software/teleport/
Any netbook or laptop and synergy. Range is the same as your wireless network and who doesn't have a laptop in there living rooms now a days anyway
DiNovo Media Laser - used this KB/mouse/keypad combo for years - excellent pairing and range capabilities - lightweight,too
Logitech diNovo Mini, hands down... AND IT WORKS WITH MACS!
I wrote up an HTPC guide which uses the diNovo mini and it works magically:
http://www.iheartmatt.com/blog/2009/03/13/the-ultimate-mac-mini-htpc-media-center/
i picked up something called the iOne and it has keyboard and mouse and works from 35 ft and priced at like 17 bux.. little cheap but WAY more range than other things ive used for double the price
HTC Touch Pro with GRemote. Works great on my media centers. Doesn't matter pc I'm using, I just open up the app and tell it which room I'm in. I now have a full keyboard and trackpad for that pc.
diNovo Mini. i have it, works with a Mac Mini as well.
Vidabox Premium Wireless HTPC Keyboard gets good reviews and priced below 70 is a great deal
http://www.vidabox.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=10
review:
http://www.geektonic.com/2009/02/htpc-wireless-keyboard-roundup-part-2.html
I already own an iphone ,hence
spent just "$6", to get the following,
-Wireless touchpad mouse
-Gyration mouse(not so great but worth for the money..)
-Wireless keyboard (with function keys configurable, and pre loaded function keys for media player and web browser)
awesome product "Air mouse".. i luvv it..
A4Tech G6 saver Mini Wireless Desktop
http://www.a4tech.com/ennew/product.asp?cid=100&scid=134&id=502
Very cheap and simple alternative. Not too small making typing easy. Not too big and heavy to use comfortably in the couch.
I'm a PC guy but I love Apple's Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard on my personally built WinVista HTPC.
http://www.apple.com/keyboard/
I love this keyboard too, but the whole apple key not a windows key prevented me from getting one - how about an indestructible on how you interfaced it to your WinVista HTPC?
Make me buy one!
360 controller with keyboard and 3rd party drivers work perfectly for me.
Did anyone mention the Gyration wireless desktop? I bought one a year ago from Circuit City for $60.
Wireless keyboard is like a laptop keyboard, and the mouse is a multifunction remote. The mouse takes some getting used to. It has incredible range. I've been 20-30 feet from the computer (big room) and it worked flawlessly.
I have these keyboards below in our office and one at home. I love all three of them and this is a great company. I had issues with one of the keyboards noy synching and there tech support fixed me right up.
http://www.dsi-store.com/2.4-GHZ-Wireless-RF-Keyboard-wbuiltin/M/B000JJM7S0.htm I use this from my couch at home. Have seen it elsewhere priced much higher
http://www.dsi-store.com/DSI-2.4GHz-Wireless-Keyboard-with-Optical/M/B001350A6U.htm
Keysonic 540BT mini bluetooth keyboard with touchpad mouse,
good size,light and includes touchpad.
plus it works with PS3 and any bluetooth PC.
Apple Aluminum BT keyboard, I've tried an Adesso, it was ok, but the Apple keyboard looks and works great, it's perfect to use with a Windows HTPC. Nothing says nerd faster than an ugly ass keyboard to control your HTPC, the Apple keyboard is beautiful and looks great on the coffee table.
I also use a M$ BT mouse, and a Logitech Harmony IR remote with my HTPC.
I do NOT know what you guys are talking about with the MS 7000 & 8000 series desktops (particularly the guy who said it LOOKED better than the logitech dinovo edge). I don't know about you, but most of the electronics in our living room are BLACK and the silver keyboard would just look absurd (and it is plain ugly). We have a Logitech Dinovo Edge and the Mini (currently our choice in the living room); I love them both! They work consistently, rarely have to be charged, and look nice.
I use a Mac and recently purchased Air Mouse Pro for the iPhone - it runs a small server application that uses standard VNC and there is a full keyboard and mouse control from my iPhone/iPod touch - really works well and the software changes the interface automatically depending on what application you are in. Plus, at $5.99 + the price of the iPhone/iPod you are really rocking.
I use iTap on my iPod Touch, works perfectly on multiple HTPCs in different rooms.
I like the Fk-760. It is my favorite for surfing from the couch. This company has many of the same keyboards as Adesso but at better price levels. The Fk-760 is the same as the Adesso wkb-3000 but priced much better.
http://www.notestation.com/wirelesskeyboardwithbuiltinmousekb-fk-760.htm
Free Shipping promo right now on this site too.
Adesso keyboard ftw! it uses RF instead of IR so it can reach at any angle and even in another room. it also has a built in touch pad. it's light but sturdy and comfortable to lie on the couch and use it. basically it's a normal laptop keyboard without the screen.
Belkin had the media pilot which had a built in mouse, you could also program it to control all your infrared remote devices. I use it for my HTPC, but I don't think they carry it anymore.
Although a BT wireless with a trackpad, I think, would be the best solution, I really like my Apple mini KB and BT mouse. They'll sync up to a PC as well, and the small footprint of it means I can just slide it under the couch or wherever once I'm done using it for a bit. I have an LCD projector and use my mini BT keyboard with it along side with my apple remote for media controls. (yes, I'm an Apple, but have a PC too) personal preference I suppose.
Accuratus Toughball - 2.4ghz wireless. Importantly, trackball built in, with left, right click sensibly duplicated left and right, even has scroll wheel. Love it.
i use brandos, its cheap and under 50 bucks, and has a trackball... just wish it was backlit
Another vote for diNovo Mini™. Two reasons:
1. It works a treat - very HTPC friendly
2. If it is in the lounge, it must not look like a keyboard - high WAF
We have the Microsoft wireless entertainment keyboard 7000. The response is great and the mouse works on everything from a glossy black table to the couch cushions. Mouse charging station is the same size footprint as the mouse, so it's always out of the way.
IMO the best keyboard/mouse for the living room is the Logitech s510
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard_mice_combos/devices/145&cl=US,EN
This Keyb is Slim, Sexy, battery friendly and has a good range!
There is even a cordless desktop edition with a ultra sexy remote.
i use a Mac Mini for my HTPC, and the iPod Touch or iPhone with RemotePad is what I use. Track pad, keyboard, and right/left mouse buttons all right there... and it cost 5 bucks.
Dinovo mini is nice but on a budget: Logitech MediaBoard Pro FTW!
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/playstation_3/keyboards/devices/3616&cl=us,en
I got this after a lot of searching. Others are nice but this should be easier to find.
Suggested price is a mere $80 (cheaper if you shop around)
Standard Bluetooth - so a minimum 30ft range
Built-in trackpad for light mousing
Nice piano-black finish
Technically for the PS3 - works fine on PC's with Bluetooth
I use Logitech's bluetooth PS3 keyboard/trackpad for my HTPC and PS3. It is exactly awesome.
Best HTPC device for me is the cheapest- the keyboard in the living room gets a lot of wear and tear with the kids- spills, etc- so a $100+ devices doesn't work for me.
So I've ended up using this little keyboard, which I think is great- http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16044
Got it for $30 in the Philippines, though it's gone up to $44 on Deal Extreme. Still the lowest priced 2.4Ghz wireless keyboard, and the built in track ball works fine. It's just large enough to touch type (the diNovo Mini was too small for me), but small enough that it doesn't get in the way on the remote table. Works fine for me, even though I am 15' from the PC, while my bluetooth didn't work well. Build quality is a little flimsy feeling, but hasn't broken yet...
yah yah.gotta love Logitech. -->Logitech Dinovo mini.
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I was thinking to get the Logitech Dinovo mini, but it way too expensive for me. so I got a HTPC keyboard with touchpad and it sit perfectly in my living room. Never give me a problem.
http://www.ergogeek.com/perixx-periboard-708-2-4-ghz-long-range-slim-wireless-keyboard-with-touchpad.html
Light weight
built in touchpad
Slim design