HTPC Keyboard

Info & chat about quiet prebuilt, small form factor and barebones systems, people's experiences with vendors thereof, etc.

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alexh
Posts: 21
Joined: Fri Dec 07, 2007 9:53 am

HTPC Keyboard

Post by alexh » Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:53 am

Hi all,

I bought a Microsoft Entertainment 7000 keyboard many years ago and it's nothing but frustration.

I have looked off and on for an HTPC keyboard and recently a couple of devices look promising.
Just wondering if any of you have these or any others. My keyboard use tends to be infrequent typing but I need good mouse control.
Backlit keys are nice too.
For this reason I'm leaning towards the Peripad.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O7 ... 151JUUD897

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-0005 ... 910&sr=8-1

Linnaeus Tripe
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:41 pm

Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by Linnaeus Tripe » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:49 am

I have the Logitech diNova mini and it has been nothing but a hassle. I have been very disatisfied with it. I have found that it loses connection easily and will not re-sync without removing the battery from the base, replugging in the dongle, etc.

When it does work the size is fine and the controls are convenient.

I found a MonCaso wireless keyboard/track ball on-line a couple of years ago and it has worked well. I have not seen it on sale anywhere lately, so it may be discontinued. It is much bigger then the Logitech but has proven to be more reliable.

Abula
Posts: 3662
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:22 pm
Location: Guatemala

Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by Abula » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:59 am

If you were to like a keyboard slight bigger, this is what i use for my HTPC, Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad (920-003070) , solid typing, good touch pad, but bigger than the HTPC one hand keyboard, i just cant get used to them, its like netbooks, i hate the small tying keyboards.

ces
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Location: US

Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by ces » Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:10 am

So here is what people have found as promising HTPC Keyboards. Does anyone have any other recommendations:
alexh wrote:My keyboard use tends to be infrequent typing but I need good mouse control... For this reason I'm leaning towards the Peripad.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005O7 ... 151JUUD897
http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-920-0005 ... 910&sr=8-1
Linnaeus Tripe wrote:I have the Logitech diNova mini and it has been nothing but a hassle... I have found that it loses connection easily and will not re-sync without removing the battery from the base, replugging in the dongle, etc. When it does work the size is fine and the controls are convenient.

I found a MonCaso wireless keyboard/track ball on-line a couple of years ago and it has worked well. I have not seen it on sale anywhere lately, so it may be discontinued. It is much bigger then the Logitech but has proven to be more reliable.
Abula wrote:If you were to like a keyboard slight bigger, this is what i use for my HTPC, Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with Built-In Multi-Touch Touchpad (920-003070) , solid typing, good touch pad, but bigger than the HTPC one hand keyboard...
Cideko AVK-02-915 Black RF Wireless Mini Keyboard

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

Other Cideko Keyboards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... &x=16&y=22

matt_garman
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Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by matt_garman » Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:13 pm

I have two of these and my parents have one: IOGEAR GKM561R. I don't use it too often, as my HTPC works with a remote. But whenever I need a keyboard, I use this, and have been quite pleased with it. Same goes for my parents.

Jay_S
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Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by Jay_S » Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:06 pm

I've purchased two Adesso WKB-3000UB keyboards - they came with slightly different key assemblies, as-in layout revisions. They have the best mouse button arrangement, in my opinion. It is the same arrangement that has been copied/used by countless other similar keyboards: trackball and L-click trigger on the right "hand grip", and L/R-click and scroll wheel on the left "grip". When you hold the keyboard, these mouse controls are exactly where you fingers expect them.

The downside to most of these mini keyboards is that the membrane keys are not cleanable or repairable. The reason I have 2 of these is that the 1st one has a whole region of the keyboard that quit working. Everything around the "L" key, including the Enter button is dead. The 2nd keyboard I bought has so far outlast the original 3x.

Sadly, the 3000UB is no longer made. And the replacement model# WKB-3000U is inferior in many ways.

[EDIT]
This SIIG keyboard is similar to my Adesso's:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6823191009

Jay_S
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Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by Jay_S » Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:44 am

Just noticed this little keyboard: FAVI Entertainment Wireless Keyboard (Built-in TouchPad/Laser Pointer) - $27 from Amazon.
  • Keyboard, TouchPad, and apparently a laser pointer
  • Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery ... charges via USB cable
  • 2.4GHz USB wireless receiver
  • back-lit keyboard
Check out the Amazon photos - this little thing looks pretty cool. It is sold under a few different names - Amazon has a few of them.

ntavlas
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Re: HTPC Keyboard

Post by ntavlas » Thu Apr 12, 2012 12:52 pm

I`ve been looking for a wireless htpc keyboard too, this is what I've come up with so far:

A Dell branded keyboard with trackball, doesn`t seem to be available through normal channels yet a store in my country (of all places) seems to stock it..
http://ormooge.com/?p=36

A Logitech with a nice big touchpad and a 3 (!) year warranty:
http://www.logitech.com/en-sg/keyboards ... board-k400

I`m probably going to get the later, so I`ll try to remember to come back and report my impressions.

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