Interacting with HTPCs: Adesso Keyboard Options Reviewed
by Ganesh T S on October 22, 2014 8:00 AM ESTAdesso SlimTouch WKB-1200
The SlimTouch WKB-1200 is a wireless keyboard / mouse combo. It is unlikely to act as a traditional HTPC interaction option in the living room because of the separate keyboard and mouse components. However, it has the potential to be used in dorm rooms with desktop PCs which double as media consumption units. The sleekness and size of the keyboard are its main plus points. Adesso is quite clear that the main target market for this device is users who are frequently on the go and prefer separate keyboard and mouse units for interacting with PCs at different locations.
The keyboard and mouse use 2x AAA batteries each and operate in the 2.4 GHz range for a 30 ft. range. The stainless steel back and edge-to-edge design of the keyboard give it a premium look. The scissor-switch keys are a pleasure to type on. They keyboard itself is quite slim (4.5 mm / 0.2") and the batteries are accommodated in a bulge at the top (which gives the keyboard an ergonomic raise). Pretty much the only downside of the WKB-1200 is the squished nature of the arrow and shift keys as well as the out-of-place backslash key. These create a slight learning curve for users coming from traditional keyboards.
The optical mouse has a 1000 DPI resolution and, like every other combo device, uses the same USB receiver as the keyboard. The scroll wheel in the middle can also act as a middle mouse button. Like the keyboard, the mouse also has an explicit on/off toggle switch and a 'Connect' button to pair with the USB receiver. Unfortunately, the build and industrial design of the mouse don't measure up to the standard set by the keyboard despite the attractive external features.
Unlike the other devices that we have covered in this piece, the WKB-1200 doesn't have a receptacle for the USB key. That said, the most attractive aspect of the unit is its $34 price on Newegg.
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DIYEyal - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Very interesting product category I haven't looked into before.Found a typo in page 2:
"Adesso's advantage that the kit can operate in one of 8 different frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band"
Should have been "Adesso's advantage that the kit can operate in one of 8 different bands in the 2.4 GHz frequency"
Imaginer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
The built in balls of the wireless keyboards are tiny, resulting in more thumb action, despite adjustments in acceleration, which can throw off "zeroing" in on your intended click space.That and one cannot game in such a manner, which is a double bonus of an HTPC (but people are thinking HTPCs should only be for media and music).
praeses - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
actually no, it should be in one of 8 different channels in the 2.4 GHz band"omgyeti - Thursday, October 23, 2014 - link
Those channels are bandwidths centered around 8 different carrier frequencies. So "8 different frequencies in the 2.4GHz band," as it appears in the article is perfectly acceptable.Imaginer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Why is everyone IGNORING WIRELESS TRACKBALLS?Specifically, the Logitech M570 as a more better means of HTPC control? Coupled with a inexpensive (preferably Logitech with Unifying receiver compatibility) one can have a full keyboard, unhindered in typing with a cursor drag device that is unhindered by any couch or any necessity of using a coffee table,
And it is worlds better than a finite trackpad versus a drag space of a sphere.
nathanddrews - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
Did you even read the review? Adesso SlimTouch WKB-3000 features a trackball. The M570 is awesome (we have two of them), but ultimately it's clunky to have two wireless peripherals unless you really need them.We've been using Logitech K400 keyboards (3x) for a couple years now and they have performed flawlessly. They're perfect for navigating the web or XBMC, even some light gaming, but anything involving more than four keypresses gives it trouble. We've only replaced the batteries in one of them in almost three years. $25 is hard to beat. All our HTPC hardware is hidden away behind walls/closets and the keyboards have no problems operating, even with all three going in the house.
I only break out the M570 if I want to play an RTS on the big screen, but it's so rare as to almost never happen. Otherwise, I just play on my gaming rig in the office with a real mouse/KB combo.
Imaginer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
The trackball in the built in keyboard is smaller, thus more thumb action and need more target "zeroing" if one were to adjust the speed and acceleration to move a great distance to compensate.Bulky? Being separate, one can solely navigate the HTPC for media sans keyboard. The only time I ever use a keyboard for media, is to type in searches. Otherwise, it really is not much used in an HTPC setup.
And gaming, batteries still going strong in the trackball I used. Plus, the built in trackball, leaves your hands in a very uncomfortable playing position. And I also mentioned the built in trackball in a reply of another comment, I meant to be a part of this one since there is no edit feature.
nathanddrews - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I said clumsy, not bulky. Needing to use two separate devices is often enough to dissuade people from using media PCs or HTPCs.We clearly have different expectations from our media/HTPCs and our peripherals. Have you considered duct taping your M570 to a keyboard? :P
Imaginer - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
No because that is UNCOMFORTABLE.My M570 rests to my side, arm relaxed to the side. This is coming from a person that also detests controllers because of the hunched convergence.
SirGCal - Wednesday, October 22, 2014 - link
I have two M570's also, but NOT on my HTPCs (of which I have 3). As they mentioned, we would prefer one-hand operation. I DO have a solution but it's also the best of the bad options. It does work though. What I have is similar to this (but it is different, this might be better/newer): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9S...The HTPC is supposed to be short-access, not accurate (gaming) necessary. And a device like this is super-easy to click on a single file or program to execute and do so with one hand. I have to move my thumb just as much with that device as I do with my Logitech track ball. But in the end it is vastly better either way to have just one device for the HTPC and if you truly feel different, great for you but that's vastly in the minority.