Recommendations for wireless keyboard/mouse combo for HTPC?

Gillette

[H]ard|Gawd
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Feb 6, 2005
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I've been looking to pick up something for my setup for a while... I'd really prefer a 2-in-1 setup however it seems the Lenovo mini and iogear offerings along this front both have terrible tracking/usability issues.

Bluetooth (with a dongle) would be ideal since the couches don't have direct line of sight to the HTPC but this isn't a deal breaker as I can just put the IR receiver higher up I suppose. Would like to keep it under about $75 but again, not a dealbreaker.

Looking at this currently: http://www.amazon.ca/2-4g-Wireless-...Y0YG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1321836501&sr=8-3
 
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I've tried 3 different 2 in 1 combos - the Rii mini, logitech edge and generic wireless keyboard / mouse setup. For browsing the web, the mouse combo /2-1 keyboard seemed too big of a pain.It was easier to type and browse, but felt too restricting. Just felt weird tossing a keyboard on the couch...

I liked the Rii but it felt a little too small for my hands. Also, a couple of keys stopped working within a few weeks after I bought it and just returned it.

My next combo will be the SMK -Link. I'll have this new one in a couple of days and I can post a few impressions if you'd like.
 
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I just picked up this one and will be trying it out tonight, will let you know how it works out.
 
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Yeah I got it cheap from Micro Center so I figured I would give it a try, it is easier to hide away for the WAF though and I don't use my keyboard very often anymore, just a new build so new toys lol
 
I've been looking to pick up something for my setup for a while... I'd really prefer a 2-in-1 setup however it seems the Lenovo mini and iogear offerings along this front both have terrible tracking/usability issues.

Bluetooth (with a dongle) would be ideal since the couches don't have direct line of sight to the HTPC but this isn't a deal breaker as I can just put the IR receiver higher up I suppose. Would like to keep it under about $75 but again, not a dealbreaker.

Looking at this currently: http://www.amazon.ca/2-4g-Wireless-...Y0YG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1321836501&sr=8-3

I have two of these:

http://www.amazon.ca/IOGear-Multimedia-Keyboard-Trackball-GKM561R/dp/B002H0BOBA/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

There are zero issues...the both work great! Typing this on it now....

The trackball laser thingie is good. I don't know where you got your info....even the reviews on Amazon say this is a good device.

Now, that Lenovo thing...I have one of those two....it just sucks...but mainly because it feels bad in your hand...very poor design, IMO. I wasted $40 on a half-off deal from Lenovo...
 
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I have two of these:

http://www.amazon.ca/IOGear-Multimedia-Keyboard-Trackball-GKM561R/dp/B002H0BOBA/ref=pd_cp_ce_0

There are zero issues...the both work great! Typing this on it now....

The trackball laser thingie is good. I don't know where you got your info....even the reviews on Amazon say this is a good device.

Now, that Lenovo thing...I have one of those two....it just sucks...but mainly because it feels bad in your hand...very poor design, IMO. I wasted $40 on a half-off deal from Lenovo...

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll see what Bighitter has to say as well but it definitely looks promising.
 
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So far its ok, not great and not bad either. The trackball seems to not responde all the time but could be a few things including distance limitations. I'll see how it goes.
 
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I use the Logitech K400 for my HTPC. The K400 is about the size of an average keyboard if the number pad were to be removed. The touch pad is very responsive and keys are comfortable to type on. I would not want to type anything of particular length, but it is perfectly suitable for basic HTPC or internet browsing.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wire...ZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321935495&sr=8-1

I have this as well, my only gripes with this keyboard is that the trackpad isnt quite as accurate as a laptop one, and NO SCROLL WHEEL!!! wtf, why no scroll?
 
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I use the Logitech K400 for my HTPC. The K400 is about the size of an average keyboard if the number pad were to be removed. The touch pad is very responsive and keys are comfortable to type on. I would not want to type anything of particular length, but it is perfectly suitable for basic HTPC or internet browsing.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wire...ZTMG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321935495&sr=8-1

This looks perfect and seems to have good reviews! Going to order this tonight.

I have this as well, my only gripes with this keyboard is that the trackpad isnt quite as accurate as a laptop one, and NO SCROLL WHEEL!!! wtf, why no scroll?

It seems to have multi-touch support for the trackpad so there's your scrollwheel right there :)
 
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I've found it's definitely best to go bluetooth (despite there being noticeable lag with a BT mouse) as it generally has a greater range than most RF keyboards/mice. The RF devices I've used all seem to crap out at more than about 1.5m from the receiver.

Of course, with BT you'll also be changing the batteries more often.
 
I've tried a few different options out there, all of them listed above. Avoid Bluetooth like the plague. It just doesn't have the range for low-power devices like these.

The solution I ended up settling on is the most expensive, but also the most robust. Android tablet. There's a very spiffy XBMC remote app and then MyRemote for everything outside of XBMC. Though honestly my HTPC never leaves XBMC since I have a tablet in my lap for browsing, etc.

Edit: I realize there was a price ceiling listed but I did the same thing when I first built my HTPC and spent a lot of money on devices I ended up not using. Sort of a buy cheap, buy twice sort of thing. Hell, pick up a Nook Color and root it. The first gen ones should be really cheap real soon.
 
I tried the Lenovo mini thing and it sucks. The other mini-keyboards I've seen are super expensive. I do use a WMC remote too, but sometimes you need a KB.

I have two of the lenovos that I posted and I like them a lot. Obviously like then enough to own multiple.
 
Currently I'm using Remote Mouse with my iPad but it's not ideal in that it can't be used on the user screen (e.g. logout and/or restart) and does not work within various applications that take focus (like when I have to set controls in zsnes.
 
I wanted to like the little thing...but it simply feels bad in my hand....nothing I can do about that.

Have you tried the new version with the backlight and sensor pad? The keyboard feels better.

Personally I like the trackball of the first version a little better than the sensor pad of the new version but overall I like the new version better.

Backlit, RF, keyboard and mouse. Not bad for $37 shipped.

Here's a review of the old Lenovo compared to the new version if you haven't seen one (or either) before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2-wSl6LR4M
 
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Have you tried the new version with the backlight and sensor pad? The keyboard feels better.

Personally I like the trackball of the first version a little better than the sensor pad of the new version but overall I like the new version better.

Backlit, RF, keyboard and mouse. Not bad for $37 shipped.

Here's a review of the old Lenovo compared to the new version if you haven't seen one (or either) before.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2-wSl6LR4M

Yep, that's the one I have. There was a thread here not too long ago...it was on sale then too for $40.
 
If you are into blackberries phones, then you might like CE Compass Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad Mouse PC Remote Control

41BJADyIztL._AA300_.jpg
 
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The iPad or iPhone with airmouse is a great solution. A used itouch would probably be pretty cheap to snag off eBay. I also have an l5 remote that makes the iPhone or iPad a pretty good universal remote when combined with airmouse for the pc.
 
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