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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bill.rookard - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I had one of the Adesso WKB-3000 series keyboards, they were quite nice for the HTPC usage. The first one sadly had a candle knocked over on it, and wound up catching fire and melting. Don't ask how that happened. Just don't. :)The replacement was a bit buggy for some reason, and would occasionally lock up requiring a pull of the batteries and a reset. Also, the trackball was a bit jerky and didn't seem to have very good resolution for some reason. Then it just died. Perhaps a twitchy unit?
Now I have one of those mini-keyboards which actually works great for htpc usage (trackpad) with basic typing, any extensive typing is out of the question though.
Aikouka - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Hmm.. these look interesting, but none of them look good enough to best my go-to solution, the Logitech MediaBoard Pro: https://support.logitech.com/en_us/product/3616 . The only downside is that it's not available anymore (much like my favorite HTPC remote, the Gyration Media Remote), and it's really designed for a PlayStation 3, which means it lacks a Windows key. Apart from that, it uses Bluetooth, which saves me from having to waste a USB slot on a wireless dongle, and it's a full-sized keyboard.rwpritchett - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I've been doing the HTPC thing for about 8 years and I've tried a number of keyboards. I've used a mouse+keyboard, trackballs, and mini keyboards. For my setup, the end all keyboard that is close to perfect is the “Logitech Mini”. It looks just like the DiNovo Mini (which I also have), but it has a few key differences:- it uses standard RF rather than bluetooth
- the range is better
- the battery life is incredible
- slightly different button layout
- it's far less expensive than the DiNovo Mini for some reason
In practice, I never liked the DiNovo Mini due to connection issues and lockups. I've also used the Lenovo N5902 Enhanced with my HTPC until one of the kids spilled soda on it >;( and it was a decent HTPC keyboard. The backlighting is nowhere near as nice as on the Logitech Mini however. If you want a small, inexpensive backlit keyboard for your HTPC give it a look.
wffurr - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Tiny right shift keys! No good!I can't stand those. I greatly prefer half height arrow keys.
I think my ideal HTPC setup is an Apple Wireless keyboard with a magic bar attaching a magic trackpad.
hughlle - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I'd have preferred that it was just a big HTPC keyboard roundup given what is available these days, instead of just one companies offerings. But hey, you have your reasons...None of these really appeal to me, i'll just keep on using my tried and trusted di novo edges.
Gigaplex - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
It's a shame they discontinued the diNovo Edge and don't really have a replacement in the same league.hughlle - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
definately. While in the past i've had the disconnect issues to the point of considering a replacement (since fixed somehow, think just due to a change in room setup), nothing has ever come close to it in terms of style and quality. to the point that instead of buying an alternative, i just bought a second one for a different computer, to hell with the price.Aesthetically, every keyboard in this article is utter junk. Wouldn't be at all surprised if they are junk. Think i'd take my dinovo mini over anything reviewed here despite the cramped form factor (that and i lost it, it's somewhere, just don't know where, damned form factor!)
deadlockedworld - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I would love to see these compared to current offerings from Logitech, etc. A review of all one brand just isn't that helpful.Daniel Egger - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Am I the only one who finds the selection of the devices and the receivers more than just a little odd? Seems like a random selection of relabelled cheap China devices to me. The size of the receiver are usually big topics as well as the compatibility with other devices because you'll only have a limited amount of USB ports (depending on what you're trying to use) and some of them are also visible so you don't want to connect any random crap to it. I already have far too many devices connected to my HTPC: 2 Logitech receivers (one unifying and one not :( ), 1 Bluetooth receiver, a Logitech Driving Force GT and a XBox 360 Wireless receiver.bobbozzo - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
BlueTooth uses 2.4GHz also, and there can be interference between BT and WiFi.http://www.ecnmag.com/articles/2012/03/wi-fi-and-b...