Interacting with HTPCs: Adesso Keyboard Options Reviewed
by Ganesh T S on October 22, 2014 8:00 AM ESTAdesso SlimTouch WKB-4000
The Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4000 series has two members, the traditional 2.4 GHz RF WKB-4000UB version and the Bluetooth WKB-4000BB version. Other than the communication mechanism, both devices share the same external hardware design. These 87-key wireless keyboard / touchpad combos use 2x AAA batteries and offer up to 30 ft. range.
The keyboard layout is the same as that of the SIIG JK-WR0312-S1, except for the proper positioning of the Ctrl and Fn keys. The numeric keypad is also multiplexed with the traditional keys, activated by a combination of the Num Lock and Fn keys. Similar to the WKB-3000, there is a LED indicator (at the top right corner instead of the top center) to indicate whether the Num Lock key is active or not. Therefore, the ease of use factor is much improved over the SIIG version.
The attractive feature set of explicit power switches, auto-sleep after an inactivity period, secure receptacle for stowing the USB key and a Connect button to alter the communication channel is also available in the WKB-4000 series. For the Bluetooth version, a Bluetooth receiver is supplied, but I also tested it out successfully on various PCs and tablets / smartphones with in-built Bluetooth capability. The only requirement was that the initial pairing had to be done with some other input interface being active (particularly for the PCs which didn't have touchscreens). Otherwise, the keyboard even worked at boot time on those PCs without the Bluetooth receiver plugged in.
The scissor-switch keys of the WKB-3000 are retained in the two keyboards. Subjectively speaking, I enjoyed typing on these keys more than the WKB-4400's membrane keys. The 3" x 1.75" touchpad in the WKB-4000 units is also bigger than the WKB-4400's 2.25" x 1.5" version. Hassle-free one-handed operation is also possible. The touchpads could do with some gesture support, but that is not much of a deal breaker. All the keys are proportionally sized and present no learning curve to traditional keyboard users. All in all, the two keyboard / trackpad combo units could become ideal HTPC interaction options if they did away with the multiplexed numeric keypads.
The Bluetooth version is available for $70 on Amazon, while the vanilla RF version is retailing for $60 on Newegg currently.
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Keisari - Thursday, October 23, 2014 - link
Sorry but I'm into trackpoints. A wireless Thinkpad keyboard like the current one would be perfect... if only it didn't have island keys.ruthan - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Without back light, im not interested.Imaginer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Hence I used a K800, with back lighting, that is separate from the M570 I used. With bundles, one has to stick with whatever is bundled out of the offering, which bundled pointer drag and keyboard options in one device may not be desirable.Gunbuster - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
So the Lenovo N5902 Enhanced Multimedia Remote is too small to play in this shootout?EmperorDeslok - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I don't know, i'm curious who makes it for lenovo because it is an awesome little remote i had the older model(with trackball) and just replaced it with the optical one recentlyicrf - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
All of these are much, much larger than I'm interested in for HTPC use. I'm currently using a Logitech Dinovo Mini, which is 6.0" x 3.5". I'm obviously not writing an essay on the thing, but it's plenty to type out the name of a movie or actor, and it doesn't take up much space on the coffee table.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008JGU3YA/
If I had to pick one, though, it would definitely be the WKB-3000. I had an old IR keyboard with a large track point style pointer input instead of a track ball, but the pointer top right and buttons top left is an incredibly comfortable way to use the device. It's far more comfortable than rotating the wrist and poking at a touch pad. I think so many people use laptops daily that they've gotten used to touch pads they're infiltrating everything else.
cjs150 - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Best option for me is the Dinovo. A cheaper version is Rii Mini 2.4GHz Wireless Touchpad Keyboard. I use any even cheaper version (bought about 6 years ago from Maplin UK) which has a thumb trackball rather than touchpad with mouse buttons being where you would expect firing buttons on an XBox or pS4 controller - it is about the same size as an Xbox controller. For HTPC use it is a great design (easy to use one handed) - sadly the build quality is poor and the keyboard needs better key rollover function.icrf - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I've got a Rii, too, and that isn't anywhere near as reliable or nice as the Dinovo. Definitely cheaper, though.Gigaplex - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I considered one of those but went with the full blown diNovo Edge as I tend to dual purpose it as a regular keyboard on occasion.JeffFlanagan - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I think the requirement that the mouse should be built into the keyboard is misguided. I've had a home theater for over a decade now, and would find it extremely annoying to have to use a bulky keyboard all the time instead of simply using a mouse to select videos and music. I use a keyboard less than 5% of the time, so why tie the mouse to a keyboard?