Wireless Keyboard w/o a Wireless Mouse? 61
Pampusik asks: "I'm looking for a decent wireless keyboard, but do not need a wireless mouse. Unfortunately, it seems it is nearly impossible to buy a wireless keyboard without having a mouse bundled with it. The only wireless, mouse-less keyboard I've been able to find is an option from Logitech. It is, however, not an impressive keyboard. Are there other options available?"
Solution (Score:3, Funny)
It should be clear that no one else needs to post in this article.
Re:Solution (Score:4, Informative)
I had a friend that stopped using a wireless mouse because it kept getting lost under piles of stuff.
With a wired mouse, you always have a cord to follow.
I, personally, can't figure out the fetish with wirelessness. If you're using a computer monitor, the size is pretty much such that you must be at your desk. If you want to control music or movies, an IR remote is a much better choice -- more comfortable to hold, can be used without a desk, cheap, and the batteries last until kingdom come.
The only possibly justifiable thing I can think of might be that a wireless mouse doesn't have a cord moving around and knocking things over. A keyboard doesn't really move too much. I found it *particularly* irritating to find a *wired* optical trackball that I liked (eventually went with the MacAlly QBALL). Who would want a wireless *trackball*? You don't move the thing, and there's just no way for the cord to whack things.
If you *do* go wireless, you introduce all manner of irritations:
* Security. Obvious. Probably not a huge issue for most, given that attacking your device means physically planting a monitoring device quite nearby. (Perhaps cracking into another nearby computer using a RF or IR sensor might work, but it would still take some doing).
* Batteries. This is a big deal in my mind. Batteries add weight. They mean that voltage starts dropping off, and devices get less reliable. You have to change the durn little things, and if you come back home and discover that your batteries are dead, you're in for some charging/replacing before you can do anything.
* Reliability. Logitech's pre-Bluetooth mice "block" each other when used in the same range. Other RF crap going on can muck with your signal.
* Performance. I remember folks complaining about performance degredation -- not sure whether it was due to latency increases or sampling rate decreases.
Clutter. (Score:2)
And now there are some options in which you connect a little key, similar to memory sticks, to your USB port that communicates with your kb and/or mouse, no cables anymore.
When you have a printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, phone, organizer, camera and who knows what else, the less cables the better.
Re:Solution (Score:3, Interesting)
I have my trackball mouse mounted to the arm of my chair. Wireless means I don't have to worry about tripping over the cord. My case is unusual though.
Re:Solution (Score:2)
None of the issues you mention are issues. Range isn't great (6ish feet), so anyone eavesdropping is pretty damn good, batteries last pretty much forever (several months, at least), utterly reliable, and while there is some performance loss towards the end of the battery lifetime, with modern batteries, that's when they're completely dead anyway.
In return, I can easily clear my de
my suggestion: (Score:1, Interesting)
Apple Bluetooth Keyboard (Score:3, Interesting)
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObject
Re:Apple Bluetooth Keyboard (Score:2)
try this instead:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/
umm ... obvious solution? (Score:1)
i bought a microsoft wireless natural keyboard + mouse combo. i am not 100% certain where the mouse is because i never use it. oddly i use a wireless keyboard and cabled mouse.. go figure.
Re:umm ... obvious solution? (Score:2)
That's the strangest thing I've ever heard. Well not really. Unless your typing from across the room I see no need for it. Unlike mice, keyboard just stay put. The only benefit a wireless mouse has is it unconstrained freedom to move around my desktop. I don't think my keyboard has moved since I plugged it in. How does the wireless keyboard benefit you?
Re:umm ... obvious solution? (Score:2)
I used to have the corded keyboard in the computer too that I used while sitting at the desk, but switched that to the other computer(usb makes it really easy to have multiple keyboards and mouses hooked up to one computer).
Re:umm ... obvious solution? (Score:2)
ergonomic (Score:1)
More detail, plz (Score:3, Informative)
Re:More detail, plz (Score:1)
I'm searching for a full-sized (104-ish keys) alternative to my laptop's miniature keyboard for when I have it docked at home. I write a ton and need something that feels like a real keyboard should and won't fall apart too easily. It will be abused.
Re:More detail, plz (Score:2)
Cordless keyboards/mice are nifty and convenient (I've got an MX700 logitech), but when they don't w
Had this setup once (Score:2, Funny)
Of course, it didn't have a hard drive either.
An easy Google search answers this (Score:5, Informative)
The person asking the question (and the editor who accepted it) are not trying very hard. "wireless keyboard" -mouse [google.com]
Re:An easy Google search answers this (Score:2)
Why Wireless? (Score:1)
just don't use the mouse. (Score:2)
the mouse doesn't really cost that much extra(for you), do you really think that they would sell the things for much cheaper than what they're selling right now even if they didn't have a bundled in mouse? that's just not how low-end combo pc hardware pricing goes.
even in Finland you can get a combo for just 38 euros, with some normal cord keyboards costing more than that(I bought one with optical mouse, rf type, for around 50e in december, I don't 'really' need the mouse but it's handy to have any
Re:just don't use the mouse. (Score:2)
and what the froogle link from another commenter will tell you is that just keyboards tend to cost a good deal more than combos.
Re:just don't use the mouse. (Score:1)
Easy solution (Score:2)
That is of course assuming it isn't permamently attached to the kbd, and both are capable of operating without the other or parts thereof.
Re:Easy solution (Score:2)
Re:Easy solution (Score:3, Insightful)
Best and Worst (Score:4, Informative)
I must warn you not to purchase the IBM Wireless Navigator Pro Keyboard (SK-8810) [vtama.com]. Although it has a great layout and an integrated mouse, it has usable range of about a meter. Beyond that it starts dropping letters. Nt vry usefl for typng meangfl contnt and evn wrse for the cmmand lne.
If you are fortunate enough to have invested in Apple hardware, I cannot recommend enough the new Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse [apple.com]. They're flawless.
Michael. [michael-forman.com]
Re:Best and Worst (Score:2)
Just buy the combo... (Score:2)
Picked up the OEM edition of the Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop from newegg.com [newegg.com] for a little over $50. I use a corded Logitech mouse.
I stuck the Microsoft mouse in the drawer within arm's length of my desk, so when my right-handed friends are visiting and want to check their e-mail, they don't have to suffer the mental anguish of mousing with their left hand. They just grab the wireless out of the drawer, use it, and toss it back in when done.
I lik
What about Safety (Score:2)
Is there any proof behind this and/or does anyone have experience trying to do this? How easy/hard was it?
Re: (Score:2)
Re:What about Safety (Score:3, Informative)
at least they come with a funky app which you can use to turn it on(involves writing some stuff on the keyboard the program says, pressing buttons). the very least thing you have to do is to pair the receiver to the keyboard(by pressing a button simultaneously on device and the receiver, dunno if this includes crypt of any kind).
most older keybs used to be IR so that solved it naturally right there.
if you're skept
Re:IR no solution (Score:2)
Actaully a video camera wouldn't work for this. A video camera is only capable of ~30 frames per second and the baud rate of just about any IR keyboard (maybe even the one with my old IBM PC Jr) is going to be higher then that. IIRC according to some theroms on sampling you would actually need a sample rate quite a bit higher (assuming that you can't sync the sample rate with the baud rate) then the rate at which the keyboard emits it's signal
Re:IR no solution (Score:3, Insightful)
thinkgeek for example sells these nifty little devices that go between the computer and the keyboard and record the keypresses.. not to mention if you can put a camera in the same room(or a ir sensor, just a camera wouldn't have enough fps to cope with the signal)
Re:What about Safety (Score:3)
But just give the space under your desk a little kick to make sure. If you hear an "Oof!", there may be a security breach.
Solidtek ACK-580 (Score:1)
Caveats are the PS/2 connection and some teensy keys (Control, Alt). Other than that, though, I highly recommend it.
They go for about $30; I selected the store featured in the link above at random from a Google search for "Solidtek ACK-580" [google.com].
Re:Solidtek ACK-580 (Score:1)
MacAlly / PCAlly makes really good stuff (Score:2)
Can you give me just 4 nuggets? (Score:2)
I'm trying to watch my calorie intake.
Re:Can you give me just 4 nuggets? (Score:2)
Re:Buy with a friend (Score:2)
Mice w/o keyboards (Score:1)
Karma: desrever
Go Wireless Where Possible (Score:2)
Just going wireless on the keyboard/mouse and network can save quite a bit of wiring mess.
The twist tie option can work, but in my experience this tends to work well behind the tv (console cords, dvd player, stero etc), but no so well with computer wires, as the wires tend to be of various
Security (Score:2)
Re:Security (Score:1)
Wireless Mouse Refund Day? (Score:1)
Should we get the DOJ involved?
Apple's bluetooth keyboard (Score:2)
And lot's of people seem very happy with it.
Rotten cherry prize to the silliest question ever. (Score:2)
How difficult is that?
Wireless Keyboard (Score:1)
Richard
www.sccc.biz
Sakar/Yahoo wireless keyboard (Score:1)