Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

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andymcca
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Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by andymcca » Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:03 am

Just found this:
Cideko AVK-02-915 Black RF Wireless Mini Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6823721001

Looks pretty sweet! It's a tiny keyboard with mouse directional/click buttons. About the size of a TV remote. Claims 50hr battery life.

If it was not for the price tag I'd already have ordered. Tempting!

ces
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by ces » Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:28 am

andymcca wrote:Looks pretty sweet! It's a tiny keyboard with mouse directional/click buttons.
I don't know about that. Seems like the mouse directional/click buttons might be a problem in real life.

This Enermax keyboard/mouse combo looks a lot better:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/wireless_keyboards

And if you are looking at price, the Moneual is less expensive.

What do you think?

ces
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by ces » Fri Mar 25, 2011 9:38 am

Here is another

This unique wireless ultra-mini media keyboard is designed to control media functions and conveniently navigate Internet in a Windows MCE PC for up to 33-foot range. With smartphone-style keyboard, integrated mousepad and touch scroll, the keyboard is ergonomically designed to be handheld without the need for a desk space. Featuring a suite of hot keys for media control and Internet navigation functions, the SMK-Link plug-and-play, driverless, ultra-mini keyboard is the ideal remote interface for the home theater setting in the living room, or for teacher-student interface in today's classroom, and for the total control in the boardroom and conference room.

http://www.microcenter.com/single_produ ... id=0350038

Anyone have any comments or experience with any of these?

andymcca
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by andymcca » Fri Mar 25, 2011 11:18 am

The MonCaso is attractive, but I'm hoping for something tiny!

The MicroCenter link is very attractive, though I'm a bit annoyed that they don't give dimensions. There is a brick-and-mortar Micro Center next door my my grocery, so maybe I'll check if they have one I can see in real life.

Does that look like a joystick in the upper right of the MicroCenter link?

bac
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by bac » Fri Mar 25, 2011 2:48 pm

I had a Moneual MK701(pretty close to the model reviewed..the mouse buttons were slightly different). I worked wonderfully until my daughter poured milk into it. Evidently, it was lactose intolerant. The closest thing to a complaint I had with it was the keys took a little muscle to move. But this is for use with a HTPC not for writing papers so it is not so bad. It has a clack to it if you are sensitive to keyboard noise. Other than that it worked great.

I replaced it with a similarly sized Adesso minitrack ball keyboard. I do not like it at all. I has a hard time communicating with the HTPC. I have a small living room so distance is less than 13ft. That should not be taxing the distance of a wireless htpc keyboard. It also goes thru batteries much more quickly than the Moneual even though the Moneual uses AAA and the Adesso use AA.

ces
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by ces » Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:16 pm

andymcca wrote:Does that look like a joystick in the upper right of the MicroCenter link?
I wondered what that was as well. It looks like a substitute for a mouse.

Microcenter also carries the Enermax. They have a good return policy. Why don't you try one or both. One of them should work OK you would think.

andymcca
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by andymcca » Fri May 20, 2011 9:16 am

Just a brief update on this in case anyone stumbles upon this thread:
I ended up not buying the SMK-LINK keyboard (microcenter link).

Newegg stocks it and the reviews are not inspiring:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6823158014

Mostly problems with signal reception.

ces
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by ces » Fri May 20, 2011 9:55 am

How about this one: Cideko AVK-02-915 Black RF Wireless Mini Keyboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6823721001

andymcca
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by andymcca » Fri May 20, 2011 10:12 am

Looks purty! Price is a little steep, but such good reviews...

I wish it had a track-ball though. Was going to complain about a "D-pad" style, but it apparently uses accelerometers? People seem to like it, though...

Shockingly, Newegg does not list the battery type. The Cideko website is a bit junky without Flash, but it looks like it uses 2x AA batteries.

ces
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Re: Neat tiny keyboard for HTPC

Post by ces » Fri May 20, 2011 10:25 am

andymcca wrote:I wish it had a track-ball though. Was going to complain about a "D-pad" style, but it apparently uses accelerometers? People seem to like it, though...
You can use it in conjuction with this:
Logitech M570 Black 1 x Wheel USB RF Wireless Laser Trackball
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6826104407

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