HTPC Owners - Come Here! Keyboard/Mouse Inquiry

[slaizer2000]

stay away from anything wireless that only gets 3-6 feet range. Those are horrendous. If you go with RF try to find a model that does 100 feet or 33meters. those tend to have the best response. Even if you have intereference from other devices you tend to always have a good connection. Another way to go is bluetooth which gets great reception. Only issue i have with this is if you decide to swap the device between computers or devices you have to re-pair the keyboard with the bluetooth dongle which is a pain.

so a good RF keyboard is in my opinion the best way to go. You can just move the receiver from one computer to another and you automatically have it paired (the initial setup will load drivers of course)
You will have to pay a good prcie for them though. But they end up being worth it.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by slaizer2000

stay away from anything wireless that only gets 3-6 feet range. Those are horrendous. If you go with RF try to find a model that does 100 feet or 33meters. those tend to have the best response. Even if you have intereference from other devices you tend to always have a good connection. Another way to go is bluetooth which gets great reception. Only issue i have with this is if you decide to swap the device between computers or devices you have to re-pair the keyboard with the bluetooth dongle which is a pain.

so a good RF keyboard is in my opinion the best way to go. You can just move the receiver from one computer to another and you automatically have it paired (the initial setup will load drivers of course)
You will have to pay a good prcie for them though. But they end up being worth it.

Interesting. Nice ideas there. Thanks. Both keyboards I'm using now are Bluetooth models. The Visenta just sucks. I hadn't thought about going with something RF, but then again I never thought about it either. Any suggestions on models, or where to look?

Correction: the Visenta is an RF-based keyboard, not Bluetooth.

[crackinhedz]

I use one of these with my PS3...would be same for PC. I really like it.

http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Wireless-Keyboard-Optical-Trackball/dp/B000JJM7S0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258577007&sr =8-2

Although I know you said you want track pad type mouse, this has a roll ball, but its in a convenient location with R1 & R2 type triggers for easy clicking.

[SpoonMaN]

i use a logitech bluetooth set, works great even for some not fast moving FPS playin.

[brettallica]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

I use one of these with my PS3...would be same for PC. I really like it.

http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-Wireless-Keyboard-Optical-Trackball/dp/B000JJM7S0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258577007&sr =8-2

Although I know you said you want track pad type mouse, this has a roll ball, but its in a convenient location with R1 & R2 type triggers for easy clicking.

I've been looking at the Adesso models a lot, and I was checking them out before going with that piece of crap I ended up buying. So you've had a pretty good experience with that then? If that's the case, then I will assume Adesso is just a better brand than my crapper. Adesso does make a trackpad style, seen here.

[crackinhedz]

Im not a fan of track pads...I find it more aggrevating than anything when either I run out of room, or I slip of the pad. The "drag and drop" function is tough for me.

Im not a huge fan of roll balls either, but this one is idealy located...left side would have been better...but, beggers cant be choosers!

Its kind of shaped like a game controller so its easy to use. Very convenient for sitting on the couch to surf. I would recommend.

The actual brand name is Xgene, but its sold under different names on amazon.