What is the best $30 wireless multimedia keyboard?

[mtncrux]

I currently have a Lenovo N5901. It works OK, but it is very hard to type on, and the trackball is starting to get very unresponsive. As far as I can tell there is no way top remove the ball to clean the sensors (let me know if I am wrong) so I am looking to replace it with something a little bigger.

My #1 priority is having a good touchpad or trackball. The keyboard is secondary since I only use it for typing in URL's, IMDB seraches, and doing maintenance on the SageTV server.


I am looking at three options:

Logitech K700
Amazon K700 Link

(Available on ebay for around $30)

Logitech K400
Amazon K400 Link

ebay or Amazon for around $30


Hausbel Mini H7
Amazon Link

Amazon for $18

Does anyone have any hands on experience using any of these with SageTV?

Right now I am leaning towards the K400.

I like the size and look of the K700, but it was designed for GoogleTV, not windows and you have to remap some of the keys to make them work under Windows. I'm not sure how much work that involves.

Are there any other similarly price keyboard/touchpad combos I should look at? I would be willing to pay up to $50 to get something solid with a backlit keyboard.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Tomahawk51]

I have the K400. I'm actually watching prices on the K700 as those buttons for channels, etc. would be great to have. I haven't looked into compatibility (you mention it was made for Google TV).

The K400 is good, and functional. It's not great for trackpad usage, but it isn't terrible. It is easy to type on, and I think it's a good balance of a small size but still usable.

I'd recommend it, but the 700 looks better.

my 2 cents.

[Tomahawk51]

After doing a quick search, it looks like too much of a pain (to me) to bother trying to get that K700 running well on windows (button mapping). I guess that would rule it out for me...

[nyplayer]

Look at this one a little more expensive but it is a multimedia keyboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823176024

[Skirge01]

I've always been partial to this style. The one I currently have was made by nmediapc and I had a similar design from another company before it died. They seem to last through a few years of abuse.

[nyplayer]

This is the one I use since it cam with my Q180 that I use as a client.

Lenovo Mini Keyboard

[markds]

I've been using this since 2009.

http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Wireles...eywords=adesso

[Naylia]

Based on your use case, have you considered remote desktop software that runs on your phone/tablet/laptop instead? I have a pile of wireless keyboards in my garage that fell by the wayside after trying out Splashtop. Only $10 if you just plan on using it at home.

[mtncrux]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

For those with the Lenovo N5902, how does the "optical trackball work" ? These were on sale last week for $35 and I nearly bought one, but there were a couple of negative reviews saying that sensitivity was bad on a new style "trackball".


I am still leaning towards the K700, I did find a autohotkey script here that is supposed to give the multimedia buttons full functionality in windows.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by mtncrux

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

For those with the Lenovo N5902, how does the "optical trackball work" ? These were on sale last week for $35 and I nearly bought one, but there were a couple of negative reviews saying that sensitivity was bad on a new style "trackball".


I am still leaning towards the K700, I did find a autohotkey script here that is supposed to give the multimedia buttons full functionality in windows.

I do not have a problem with the mouse functions on it. It used to be a ball but now it is more like a touch mini joystick.. It takes a bit getting used to it just like anything else.... but once you get used to it no problem.


PS there are 2 versions one is Backlit which is the one I have.

[mtncrux]

I picked up a Logitech K700 for $27 shipped on ebay.

I am very happy with it so far. It is about 13"X 4.5".

The track-pad works well. It has good wireless range.

Nearly all of he keys work with SageTV without doing any remapping.

The "D-pad" (up, down, OK) work fine, as does play, pause, FWD, RWD, Volume up/down, mute. Guide. None of the keys in yellow (the ones that require a Fn-Key combo) work at all.



The Guide button works, but the TV and DVR buttons don't do anything in Sage.

All of the media buttons work except for Skip, Stop and Record (because they are yellow Fn combo keys). The Home button opens Firefox for some reason instead of going Home. The search button acts as the Windows key.

There are no windows Function (F1-F12) keys. I don't mind as I never use those.

If anyone is looking for a keyboard/trackpad combo that is big enough to actually touch type on, this is a winner. I don't think I will even bother trying to remap the missing keys as I haven't really missed them.


If anyone does buy one of these, you have to go to the Logitech website and download a utility called the "Logitech Unifying Software" which is needed to pair the keyboard with the wireless receiver.

[Skirge01]

My existing keyboard just died (go figure), so I bought one, returned it primarily because it was broken and bought another I'm quite happy with. I thought I'd add my findings for others.

I first picked up this ~$40 one. I didn't realize it was smaller than my previous keyboards, but was willing to give it a shot. The first problem was that it wouldn't communicate with the receiver, so obviously I needed to send it back. However, while I was trying to get it working, I noticed a few key omissions (unintentional pun). First, it doesn't have a HOME key... anywhere; not even as a blue Fn+? combination. They do offer the typical laptop number pad layout via the Fn keys, though. I guess that's good for someone who doesn't have a remote control hooked up to their computer and uses the keyboard all the time. Otherwise, I don't see the use of the number pad. Anyhow, as a Sage user, the HOME key comes in pretty handy in getting back to the main screen when you're on the keyboard, so it's a pretty big oversight in my mind. Second and third, it doesn't have a PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN key. Again, when I'm using the keyboard to quickly navigate screens in Sage, those keys are critical. Plus, we do a LOT of internet browsing on the TV and not being able to page up/down is completely unacceptable.

My search continued and I settled on this ~$40 one. I wasn't big on the trapezoid design, but everything else seemed acceptable. Home key? Check (via blue Fn key). Page up/down? Double-check (also via Fn key). I've now been using this keyboard for about 2 weeks and I've gotten quite used to the design. I still miss having a left-click button on the right side of the keyboard by the trackball, but it's not a deal breaker. I also wish I didn't have to move my thumb between either the mouse buttons or the scroll wheel. (My previous keyboard had the wheel by your index finger.) However, what sealed the deal for me is that the signal range on this keyboard is fantastic. I haven't tested just how far it will go, but I have yet to have any issues, even in the previous "dead spots" all my old keyboards had. Of all the things I don't think are quite right with the keyboard, what I would ultimately change is narrowing the ENTER and BACKSPACE key's right edges and instead put HOME, PGUP, and PGDN right there. Overall, though, I do like the keyboard.