Interacting with HTPCs: Adesso Keyboard Options Reviewed
by Ganesh T S on October 22, 2014 8:00 AM ESTAdesso SlimTouch WKB-4400
The Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4400UB is a wireless keyboard / touchpad combo. Using 2x AAA batteries, it operates in the 2.4 GHz range and has an advertised range of 30 ft. The size of the device (18" x 6.5") is a bit more compared to the WKB-3000 (15" x 6.1") that we saw in the previous section. Therefore, HTPC usage is not the primary target market for this device. Adesso markets this device as an all-in-one solution for desktop PC users who wish to avoid wire clutter and too many devices on their desk.
Keeping the target market in mind, this wireless device is a full-sized keyboard with 104 keys (including a dedicated numeric keypad). In order to accommodate the touchpad in the area usually allocated to the arrow keys, the Ctrl keys have a reduced size compared to traditional keyboards. Users familiar with notebook keyboards will not find anything strange, though those migrating from the separate keyboard / mouse solutions may take some time getting used to the different location of the arrow keys. The layout is also responsible for our main complaint against the unit - the small size of the Glidepoint touchpad (2.25" x 1.5") which also integrates scrolling functions.
Befitting the desktop usage scenario, the keyboard provides the capability to have a raised position for the unit when kept on a flat surface. There is an explicit on/off toggle switch, magnetized recessed receptacle for the USB key and a Connect button to alter the communication frequency - all these are excellent features to have.
In terms of keyboard layout, there is not really much to complain about. The keys have a life-expectancy of 5 million cycles. The low-profile membrane key switch is quiet and enables faster typing, but the soft touch feel might not be to the liking of certain users. The buttons under the touchpad could also be a little less noisy. It would also be nice to have some sort of gesture support for actions on the touchpad. The keyboard has a chrome finish on the borders to add style, though, again, it might not appeal to all consumers equally.
All in all, this is an effective device with scope for improvement in the size of the touchpad. A glossy / fingerprint-magnet finish could also be avoided in future iterations. The device currently sells on Amazon for $71.
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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?