A simple question about wireless keyboards

[AirForceElite]

Hey folks.

Recently, I purchased a much needed for me wireless keyboard + mouse combo from BestBuy. This one to be exact.

When I opened it, I found out the hard way that it's receiver is in fact wired one...(so much for "wireless" set). You can see it here:

http://i9.tinypic.com/7xo906v.jpg
http://i4.tinypic.com/86yyjjr.jpg

Anyways, due being a packrat and accurate person where everything has to be in its own place, I really hate that wired receiver. When I buy wireless, I expect it not to have any damn wires. Any average person would tell me to somehow stick it either to the back of the desk, or underneath it, so that it will not be visible (my desk is pretty small, and I have to have lots of things on it such as memory card reader, speakers, speaker control, headphones for when I don't want to bother people, stapler, modem, printer...etc etc etc).
I will have to be moving my PC from 1 room to another where HDTV is located very very often, and I would hate to deal with that receiver that I have to re-stick it every time.

Question:
So...do any of you guys can suggest me a fairly good and inexpensive wireless keyboard combo that does not have wired receiver, and has a small USB receiver (like a flash stick) such as seen in this picture: http://www.techexcess.net/imag...yboard-Mouse-2-220.jpg

Man, was I pissed to find out that a wireless keyboard in fact has wires.

 

[NoelS]

AFElite,

Don't be fooled, that picture is a Saitek keyboard and it's wired. The mouse uses the USB stick. There are plenty of USB stick controlled mice, but I don't know about keyboards. I just bought two Microsoft wireless mice (on sale at Staples last week for $14.95 each) and they're great, but my "wireless" keyboard had wired transmitted like the one you bought. I couldn't find anything by Googling that showed me the transmission method. I think you'll have to go to the stores to see and feel what you want...

Noel

 

[MegaVovaN]

Wired receiver is normal...by wireless they mean keyboard and mouse don't have wires sticking out of them.

Receiver acts as a recharging base (at least mine does, don't know if yours has a recharger) - what's better, opening mouse to replace batteries every 5 days or just placing mouse on base every other night?
Somehow I believe receiver would "catch" signal better than USB thingy, but I don't have any proof, it is just my mumbling

edit: keyboards are simple devices, in fact so simple they don't screw them up technically. I agree with NoelS, go to a store and find keyboard that feels good to your hands.

 

[Jiggz]

Here's one except it only comes with a built in trackball on the kb instead of a mouse. Wireless

 

[AirForceElite]

NoelS, the keyboard you are talking about (http://www.techexcess.net/imag...board-Mouse-2-220.jpg) is in fact Dell Wireless Bluetooth combo.
And what's more funny is that I actually had it for a week before deciding to returning it because I did not like mouse at all. The mouse was not comfortable at all.
So yes, there are in fact keyboard/mouse combos that only have 1 USB dongle receiver, no wires at all. The problem is that even if I go to the stores, unless I physically open each box, I will not know if it has a wired base or wireless base. They won't let me do that.

 

[JackMDS]

The so call wired receiver can be plugged and put out of the way too (a little piece of sticky Velcro is all that is needed).

The direct plug-in receiver is made while thinking of Laptops where everything is within one square foot area.

The wired receiver is designed so that if the computer's case, or whatever it is supposed to plug into is on the floor, or a little further away, the receiver can be installed in a spot that would provide good communication with the mouse or the keyboard instead of a plug-in that end up stuck between the metal case and the wall with obstructed signal.

When designing good hardware, technology is a leading concern, the "hates and the love" of people is an emotional factor, it should be taken into consideration too, but it cannot be the main factor in technological designs.

 

[0roo0roo]

yup range.
been using wireless mice for many years now. no mouse wire drag is nice feeling. and yea, laptop mice sticks have don't have to worry about range. a wired reciever is normal and nothing to worry about, it is a more flexible design for most people.

 

[NoelS]

AirForceElite,

Sorry, it looked like Saitek from the picture, and mine is wired ...

If you go into stores, you may find some displays where the keyboard and mice are out of the box and you can touch them and see what the components are. They even display the receivers where they are important...I know Staples and Office depot does that where I live - rows of keyboards and mice... If you go into a store and they aren't out of the box, ask the clerk about them. If he/she doesn't know, ask to talk to someone who does...

If the keyboard you want isn't out there, velcroing the receiver like JackMDS suggests sounds like a good idea if you have to move your rig around.

Good luck. PS, I'm an old USAF retiree... I know about moving around

Noel

 

[Snydly]

I use this Logitech MX 5000 and am really happy with it. Just a small bluetooth USB receiver that looks like a thumb drive. I plug mine into the front of my case which sits about 10 ft away. (Haven't tried reception with it plugged into back). Mouse sits in a cradle that recharges the battery when not in use. Keyboard uses AA (1 I think) and lasts ~4-6 months, when turned off after use.

If you have a closing CompUSA in your area you may be able to get a good deal. Otherwise they can be had for around $120.

Edit: Just re-read your post that requested an inexpensive option!

 

[AirForceElite]

haha

$120 Snydly,
yeah..no i need something in $30-40 area. If everything fails, I will just re-order my Dell Bluetooth wireless keyboard combo again. The only problem with it is mouse is not comfortable for me. And I can't use another mouse with it because then, i will have 2 separate USB receivers and i dont want that.

I noticed 1 thing:

Whenever there is no picture of a small USB receiver, I think it has a wired one.
All the high end models, have a small USB receiver...no wires.

Also, my Dell wireless was Bluetooth. Most today's are non-Bluetooth.

Which one is better in terms of interference? I always thought Bluetooth is like weak version of wireless. Am I correct?

Somebody convince me to go with Bluetooth OVER non-bluetooth

 

[0roo0roo]

range doesn't mattermuch. we are talking a few feet either way.
bluetooths supposed advantage was that it was going to be compatible with all your other bluetooth stuff. so they sold them generally as bluetooth hubs as well..charge more $$$
that never came to pass since bluetooth has mostly failed.
no practical advantage for most people with bluetooth.

 

[AirForceElite]

update:
after some playing around with this keyboard, its going back to best buy

even if this keyboard had wireless usb receiver, i am still gonna give it back.

this keyboard and mouse are horrible. no wonder they had $110 off when i purchased it
logitech clearly has upper hand in here over microsoft
i still cant make the mouse open new links in new tab in firefox.,

the middle button just doesnt work and i used microsoft software to set different commands to it, but it just doestn't work,
anybody had any luck in making microsoft mice act middle click as open new tab in firefox?

 

[JackMDS]

LOL it is Nice that there are peole who still beleive in BestBuy price games.

The market price of this combo is between $30 to $40.

Amazon has it on Sale for $26.00 http://www.amazon.com/Microsof...p-Silver/dp/B0002CE0XY

For the price it is a Good combo. It seems to me that you got a bad unit, since I am using the same combo and it is working well.

 

[Snydly]

Originally posted by: AirForceElite
...The only problem with it is mouse is not comfortable for me. And I can't use another mouse with it because then, i will have 2 separate USB receivers and i dont want that.

This is the advantage of Bluetooth. You can have several devices use one BT receiver.

Which one is better in terms of interference? I always thought Bluetooth is like weak version of wireless. Am I correct?

I also use a wireless Logitech G7 mouse
at work and do not notice a difference between BT and wireless, they both work equally well. This still doesn't help you find a solution for your budget, but as far as mice/keyboards are concerned, I wouldn't rule BT out.

 

[AirForceElite]

quick question:

Is it just me, or do wireless keyboards NOT work before windows starts (such as in bios)

i received a warning about CPU overheating (it's a usual error which means i have to open my windows to cool it down a bit) and it asked me to press F1 to resume (which i always do)
when i tried to do that with wireless, i couldn't press F1 to start windows loading.
does it mean i always have to carry wired set in cases of when BIOS configuration is needed?

 

[Blain]

My wireless keyboard works just fine when accessing my BIOS.

What MB are you using?

 

[JackMDS]

It is not a matter of Wireless.

If you have a PS/2 Wireless it would be detected, if you have USB you have to enable the use BIOS to detect/support USB keyboard in the BIOS setting.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Jack nailed it.

My wireless (PS2) works fine in BIOS, Linux, you name it...never installed Logitech drivers either.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: AirForceElite
quick question:

Is it just me, or do wireless keyboards NOT work before windows starts (such as in bios)

All PS/2 keyboard mice sets work in bios. All USB sets that are PS/2 adaptable (meaning they have a split connector and are stated as PS/2 compatible, generally also coming with the PS/2 adapter) will work in bios.

USB connected keyboards only work if the bios has a properly working USB emulation mode and that is enabled in the bios.

i received a warning about CPU overheating (it's a usual error which means i have to open my windows to cool it down a bit) and it asked me to press F1 to resume (which i always do)
when i tried to do that with wireless, i couldn't press F1 to start windows loading.
does it mean i always have to carry wired set in cases of when BIOS configuration is needed?

Check your bios for that setting or choose an older set with PS/2 keyboard capability.

As for a keyboard mouse set that uses the self-contained thumb style usb receiver nearer your target price:

Logitech LX710, Cordless Desktop Wave, Pro 2400

These start out above your target price range but Logitech frequently has rebates. You might also find other makes and models by looking through the pictures at Newegg or TigerDirect as they both tend to have better than average pictures that may show what's in the box besides the keyboard and mouse themselves. Bluetooth sets are more likely with a wireless receiver, but also more likely at least twice your target price range unless a generic brand (which I wouldn't suggest).

Note that any keyboard mouse set that only had the USB thumb-receiver can't be PS/2 adapted (maybe with a separate hardware adapter, not just mechanical pin-adapter, I don't know about this) so your bios would need support the USB keyboard emulation. I would be surprised if any semi-modern motherboard did not support this, if all else fails you might check on a bios update.

I agree with another poster about it being good to have the receiver on wire(s) so it can be optimally positioned. I have the LX710 set and while it's range is longer than my older corded-receiver style keyboard sets, it still doesn't do well at all plugged into the back of the system. For best results I have it's receiver plugged into a powered USB hub on my desk, which kinda has to have a couple wires for USB and power.

Yes wires are ugly. Nobody really wants 'em, they just have a few benefits despite being an eyesore and tether.

 

[AirForceElite]

sorry it was stupid of me to leave out MB.
the mobo is Asus K8V SE Deluxe which is roughly 3.5 years old.
I tried to do bios update in the past (not because of this wireless issue) and it never worked for me.
i tried every single method (flopy/cd-r/windows utility tool) and always have some sort of buggy thing come up so i just left it like that.
hopefully the new comp i will soon about to build (a budget build) will have this fixed.

i am mostlikely going to buy LX710
it sounds very good...looks really nice too.

i wish it was on sale or something
i paid $39.99 for my Dell Bluetooth combo from Dell (it was $80 off during Dell Days of Deals) so i am going to be getting refund for that and probably going to get lx710 soon

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: AirForceElite
update:
after some playing around with this keyboard, its going back to best buy

even if this keyboard had wireless usb receiver, i am still gonna give it back.

this keyboard and mouse are horrible. no wonder they had $110 off when i purchased it
logitech clearly has upper hand in here over microsoft
i still cant make the mouse open new links in new tab in firefox.,

the middle button just doesnt work and i used microsoft software to set different commands to it, but it just doestn't work,
anybody had any luck in making microsoft mice act middle click as open new tab in firefox?

you set middle button as middle button to open new tabs in firefox

keyboards...microsoft makes good ergonomic splitty keys. course i use their wired version so i dunno. as far as i'm concerned wireless keyboards are a waste of money and batteries. i use a logitech wireless mouse though. atleast there wireless has more than looks to justify it. oem versions of microsofts keyboards are cheap online.