Rapoo 2900 wireless keyboard sports touchpad, Bluetooth, and that ineffable Rapoo charm
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted March 2nd 2010 11:03AM
posted March 2nd 2010 11:03AM
Enough time has passed since the diNovo Edge wireless keyboard debuted that perhaps it's time for a low(er) priced tribute -- a Knickerbockers to Logitech's Beatles, if you will. To that end, check out the Rapoo 2900: it sports a built-in touchpad, a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery and docking charger, and a Bluetooth / USB dongle. It's a slight little thing (check out the comparison with a full-sized keyboard after the break) and it'll cost you about $86. The best part? Now you have an excuse to say "Rapoo" over and over again.
raPOO. Seriously?
@hq
From Brando? Seriously...
@E71 Rape? Poo? Could they have combined two worse things?
@E71
Brando reminds me of those Namko toys or whatever from back when I was 7
Please consider making the "replies" in the comments collapsed by default, or an option. The amount of first post replies is ridiculous.
@trainwrecka Especially the ones that aren't specifically commenting about the actual story!
@Khris
Yeah I figured I'd get grief for that.
@trainwrecka Glad you saw it coming. :)
very nice and the price tag is a real selling point
@jc35
A must buy for your future 24" tablet PC that was shown awhile ago on engadget
I love when keyboard manufacturers move Backslash and the Insert block all over the place! Oh, wait, no I don't.
Why Hello Hello. You belong with my HTPC.
@Mightydh
I agree - a friend in South America had some direct-from-China wireless keyboard/trackpad combo like this and it worked great for his HTPC. In the US of A the only option I found was the logitech one which didn't convince me.
Great PS3 peripheral especially with that dock.
@glamajamma Logitech already makes a Bluetooth keyboard with touchpad specificially for the PS3, including mapping the triangle, circle, square and X buttons to keys. I have one, it's pretty decent. And you can find it for more like $55 if you look.
@J Acheson
I have one of those Logitech keyboards and it works great with my HTPC. If I had a choice, I probably would've bought the Rapoo, because of the recharging dock and the extra USB/Bluetooth dongle for fun. In all fairness, the Logitech board does power down when not in use saving the battery, without having to switch it off.
@Knickerbockers Video
Mom is that you dancing?! Mom! Mom!
Hey look a new KIRF Logitech diNovo Edge...
@DeFlanko exactly what i was thinking
I think the best part is the rechargable lith-ion or the price, but to each their own :)
This could be the PERFECT keyboard for my HTPC! :D
@Tuxie: it's certainly pretty damned close.
I really wish more vendors such as logitech would make recharging, wireless keyboards with number pads attached. There are still plenty of people who want wireless keyboards for business purposes.
This is an AWESOME HTPC keyboard!
I am really digging the small size AND the trackpad.
Wish they had put the click buttons BELOW the trackpad.
I'm happy with my Logitech ps3 bluetooth keyboard/trackpad for my htpc needs.
ok, i'm not finding any mention of bluetooth specifically on the brando site, looks more like its a 2.4ghz
@av8or You are correct, no bluetooth.. only 2.4Ghz :(
according to the specs: http://www.rapoo.com.cn/ProFeatures.aspx?PID=3533
Sucks too.. I have been looking for something just like this, just I hate RF/Wireless (thats not BT or the upcoming 802.11g based) solutions for keyboards.
@av8or I also didn't find any mention about the bluetooth part. Where is it?
Yeah. It's a 2.4ghz wireless, but not Bluetooth. I've looked through Rapoo site as well as Brando's and Ubergizmo site that the article sources and none of it mentions Bluetooth.
Too bad. I really wanted to replace my Visentas with a Bluetooth 1.2 device...
The Knickerbockers??? Talk about an ancient reference! Just how old are you, Joseph?
Oh yeah...the keyboard is really groovy too.
PS Don't trust anybody over 30.
My HTPC just got a chubby!!
Someone please produce a backlit wireless keyboard. I don't care if I have to charge it every night.
@Agent007
http://nexus404.com/Blog/2009/05/22/ultra-compact-usb-wireless-keyboard-mini-wireless-illuminated-keyboard/
@(Unverified)
Sorry for the double post, here's a better link.
http://www.geekalerts.com/wireless-usb-mini-keyboard/
The dock is the worst design decision ever, as a Dinovo user I speak from experience..."Oh, you want to use your keyboard? You can't it has to charge in a vertical position..."
Just say NO to removing spaces between function keys.
As long as the wireless signal isn't as flaky as the Edge - quite often the keyboard will "freeze" up on me (usually accompanied by the last keypress being stuck for 5-10 seconds).
I know i'm not alone with that issue, as it's been reported on the Logitech forums as well.
I have the Logitech smudgemagnet version of this, Y-X5A77. No backlight and smudges means I don't use it much. But the keys below the touchpad make more sense than this one's being above. At least it has no keypad.
Still looking.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, the Logi has noisy keyboard, the other reason I stopped using it.
Looks nice. We need more options in the wireless HTPC media keyboard department. So I welcome this product, even though I am happy with my gyration keyboard and air-mouse.
For some reason, Street Fighter comes to mind...
"Rapoo-ken!"
While the touchpad on my Logitech Mediaboard is a lot smaller, it still has secondary left and right mouse buttons located between the left control and alt keys, which is fucking brilliant. Right hand on the touch pad, left hand on the mouse keys. Speed wise it's about as good as a real mouse. Much better then tap/double tap to left click and hold to right click (or just moving down to the mouse buttons).
Best part? It only cost me $60 and it's still Bluetooth, not RF or IR. Plus isn't not mini-sized like the keys are on this.
How many Khotars is it? We need a hands on.
This is interesting for my media center. One question: will they make a left-handed version? I don't think it's even possible for my right hand to use a touchpad.
I have this exact keyboard. Got them last December for my media center. It is a great piece of kit. One short fall, if keyboard idle for awhile, you need to wake it up with a keystroke. Otherwise, touchpad won't respond.
Hey, @#$%hole engineers! The Win key is in the wrong place!
Sheesh. It really sucks for touch typists. All the best keyboard designers think it's OK to move the Windows key around.
I CAN'T BE PRODUCTIVE WHEN THE WINDOWS KEY IS IN THE WRONG PLACE. STOP @#$%ING WITH IT.
Totobay.com have to buy this keyboard, is this address http://www.totobay.com/rapoo-2900-touch-trackpad-with-highend-wireless-keyboard-black_p10188.html
the dinovo edge is too much:too big,too heavy,too fancy,too costly,too much.
the Rapoo 2900 is more like it.
my ideal is
1. compact.light weight.rigid.easy to grab hold of.
2. standard keyboard layout and size.no numeric keypad,a few programmable buttons.
3. no or low keyclick noise,short key travel,long keylife.
4. all keys illuminated.
5. resistant to spills.
6. touchpad.in right side of keyboard i.e. not below the spacebar.no trackball.no joystick.no rubber puck.
7. standard mouse control buttons:left/middle/right,scroll vertical/horizontal,backward/forward.
8. 2-hand friendly i.e. also at least left click button in left side of keyboard.
9. bluetooth (BT) and at least v2.0.no RF.no IR.with dongle for BT unaware computers.
10. USB port for wired connection as alternative to BT and for pairing BT.also for recharging i.e.no charging station/power supply.
11. long battery life,efficient battery use.
12.reliable and responsive.short wakeup time.
13. standard AA or AAA sized rechargeable batteries. no proprietary battery.
14. price $75
some other choices in no particular order
1. VP6310
2. Mediaboard
3. RF-636
4. WKB-4000BB
5. BT-637
6. GKM561R
7. KB-3962B-BT
8. KEY-3000
9. Vidabox wireless