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wireless keyboard / mouse combo for HTPC?

N

NTB

Diamond Member
I've tried one - from Logitech; forget the model right now - and it doesn't work all that well. I'm not sure yet if something is interfering with the signal, or if I'm just a little too far away. I used it in my old apartment for the same thing, and that was in a larger room, so maybe it *is* interference.

Either way, I was wondering if anyone here had any specific recommendations.

Thanks!

Nathan
 
I use the PS3 Logitech keyboard / touchpad combo for my HTPC. No problems with it at all. You can't turn off the tap to click, so that is a little annoying. You must have a bluetooth receiver also already on your HTPC and the Logitech PS3 keyboard doesn't come with one.

Edit: Logitech Media Board Pro
Link
 
i'm using a logitech di novo edge, which i think is very good. the mousepad is just ok, and there's no middle mouse button or scroll. this kb would do very well with a blackberry-style ball. i think the buttons are scissor-style mechanics. the bluetooth connection works perfectly with no effort. while the kb can be paired with any other bluetooth stick, the stock stick only works with the keyboard.

i'm also using an mx revolution. i find the shape and layout of its numerous buttons ideal. however, the mouse responds poorly in fps video games, and often goes to sleep while gaming. another drawback to the mx revolution is its signal. the pattern is shaped like pacman, with pacman's mouth aligned with the front of the mouse. the range is 7 or 8 feet for the front of the mouse, about 12 to the sides and rear. range is noticeably hampered by plugging the stick into the back of the computer, or by excessive interference or tangles of wiring. i suspect the mx revolution shares a great deal with the mx 1000, which behaved very similarly. a bluetooth version would be much, much better.

i don't play games with these devices, because they're just not up to the pounding. to get the most of logitech devices, i suggest uberoptions.
 
I use an Apple wireless AL BT keyboard and a MS BT mouse with one of those $4 BT adapters in the HTPC.

I think the Apple AL keyboard is the sexiest thing I've seen.

Text

Refurb for $69

M$ mouse

I also tucked an IR reciever behind the unused display on my HTPC case and use a Logitech Harmony remote too, makes the setup a lot more GF friendly...
 
I bought This about 7 months ago. Works great, unfortunately Newegg no longer caries it, and the new model's mouse doesnt look near as comfortable. Perhaps you could find it elsewhere. It was not very expensive either, only $50 if I recall.
 
I bought this cheapo Anyware Media Center Remote and it works great. Comes with an IR receiver and I barely use the keyboard or mouse on my media center PC anymore. I was going to spring for the logitech harmony remote but it was just to expensive. I was also looking into media center keyboard/mice but decided I didn't want something that bulky.

However if you're specifically looking for a mouse and keyboard I would go with logitech, they seem to have the best. But there is also the saitek or razer if you want a more flashy look.
 
Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I use an Apple wireless AL BT keyboard and a MS BT mouse with one of those $4 BT adapters in the HTPC.
Click to expand...

I am intrigued by the Apple keyboard and PC HTPC combination. It is easy to connect the two? How's the range of $4 BT adapter? I am looking for 10' range.
 
I bought a DiNovo Mini about a month ago. I was just using a IOGear wireless mouse/keyboard set before and didn't really like having that sitting out all the time... plus the traditional mouse is useless if you're just lounging around. A friend bought the full-size DiNovo and liked it a lot, so I went over to Tiger Direct/CompUSA to pick one up and saw the Mini. I went home, read some reviews, and decided to try it... I REALLY like mine. The same friend actually ended up buying one for himself after seeing mine... he said the full-size keyboard was kind of awkward.

The mini is kinda like a smart phone... browsing the web, short e-mails/chats, searches... that's what it's good for. If for some reason you're typing up term papers on your HTPC, then this isn't going to do the trick, and it's definitely not going to work for gaming. For me, though, it's exactly what I need.
 
Originally posted by: Booty
I bought a DiNovo Mini about a month ago. I was just using a IOGear wireless mouse/keyboard set before and didn't really like having that sitting out all the time... plus the traditional mouse is useless if you're just lounging around. A friend bought the full-size DiNovo and liked it a lot, so I went over to Tiger Direct/CompUSA to pick one up and saw the Mini. I went home, read some reviews, and decided to try it... I REALLY like mine. The same friend actually ended up buying one for himself after seeing mine... he said the full-size keyboard was kind of awkward.

The mini is kinda like a smart phone... browsing the web, short e-mails/chats, searches... that's what it's good for. If for some reason you're typing up term papers on your HTPC, then this isn't going to do the trick, and it's definitely not going to work for gaming. For me, though, it's exactly what I need.
Click to expand...

I've had pretty much the exact same experience. Like the OP, I had a Logitech wireless combo that didn't work very well at range, so I bought the diNovo Mini about a month ago. It works great from 10 feet (and farther) away, and it looks very nice sitting on my coffee table next to my universal remote. Oh, and if you use media center but don't have a media-center remote, you can switch a button on the diNovo Mini to turn it to the remote setting, which makes it function like a media-center remote. The novelty might eventually wear off, but I think it's actually fun to type on it and have no problem with surfing the net or even with setting up MediaPortal (an open-source media center).
 
Originally posted by: kalrith
I've had pretty much the exact same experience. Like the OP, I had a Logitech wireless combo that didn't work very well at range, so I bought the diNovo Mini about a month ago. It works great from 10 feet (and farther) away, and it looks very nice sitting on my coffee table next to my universal remote. Oh, and if you use media center but don't have a media-center remote, you can switch a button on the diNovo Mini to turn it to the remote setting, which makes it function like a media-center remote. The novelty might eventually wear off, but I think it's actually fun to type on it and have no problem with surfing the net or even with setting up MediaPortal (an open-source media center).
Click to expand...

Yeah, forgot to mention the dual-mode thing. If you just temporarily need to use a different mode, you can also just hold the function key... I use that a lot when I'm in "Media Center"mode and want to briefly use the the touch pad for the mouse instead of directional buttons.

Some other nice things about it... rechargable battery (though it's an AC adapter, not a dock), hinged lid (good for me because my wife tends to spill drinks on things), keys light up for typing in the dark... just really well designed in general IMO. There are some negative reviews on Newegg, but I think some of them are just really nit-picking. Right now I think it's one of (if not the) best options out there.
 
Originally posted by: txlonghorn
Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
I use an Apple wireless AL BT keyboard and a MS BT mouse with one of those $4 BT adapters in the HTPC.
Click to expand...

I am intrigued by the Apple keyboard and PC HTPC combination. It is easy to connect the two? How's the range of $4 BT adapter? I am looking for 10' range.
Click to expand...

Pairing wasn't a problem, IIRC, the code was 0000 or something, the distance is typical BT with the cheap dongle, about 30 feet, am at about 15 feet with current setup and it's bulletproof. Am using Windows 7, didn't try to pair it under another OS, 7 is pretty painless. I did move the BT dongle to the front of my HTPC to get a better signal.

I tried several different spectrum RF keyboards first, they all sucked, lots of dropped keystrokes etc...

You really need a mouse to have good control, MS makes a nice gray & silver BT mouse that looks good on the coffee table.

I have a 2nd monitor on my coffee table slaved to the PC and recently started using it instead of having a laptop on the coffee table. I keep a browser open on it, and surf while watching listening to tv...
 
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