Whats a good wireless KB/Mouse combo?

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gpnz

80 posts

Master Geek

#14145 18-Jun-2007 15:37

Hi,

I've decided that it would be good to get a wireless KB/mouse for my media center and was wondering what other people here have used and think is good. I quite like the MS MCE Keyboard, other than the thumb mouse (which I think my kids would struggle to use). I've seen the Logitech MX90/110 etc series quite cheap, but no one seems to list the wireless range that they have (which is quite important for me to know).

What are everyones thoughts?

Cheers,

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Snowflake

#75041 18-Jun-2007 16:13

I'm looking for teh best option too - my ideal solution would be a mouse/keyboard combined into one device - the mouse being a touchpad, accupoint or trackball.

I have a MCE keyboard but it stis there gathering dust as I can't stand using the integrated pointer - i would rather walk over to the machine and grab the wired keyboard than live with the frustration of only 8 pointer directions and little sensitivity control....

I still havent seen anything that screamed "must buy it" yet however... ideally this keyboard would also have the MCE remote buttons on it too

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Shin

274 posts

Ultimate Geek

#75091 18-Jun-2007 21:15

Got similar question,

I'm also looking for "GOOD TOUCHING" wireless keyboard/mouse combo which should compatible with PS3 as well as PC(of course)

Anyone got some idea about PS3 keyboard/mouse combo?

rhysb

435 posts

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#75145 19-Jun-2007 10:22

You could try the MS Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000. It has bluetooth, Media Center navigation buttons, a laser mouse and a cursor navigation pad on the keyboard. I haven't tried it, but it looks like it might have what you need. It's rrp is $299.

Rhys

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Geekzone

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#75151 19-Jun-2007 10:29

Check our review of the Microsoft Wireless Entertainment 7000 comparing it with the 6000...

Regs

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Snowflake

#75168 19-Jun-2007 14:54

rhysb:
You could try the MS Wireless Entertainment Desktop 7000. It has bluetooth, Media Center navigation buttons, a laser mouse and a cursor navigation pad on the keyboard. I haven't tried it, but it looks like it might have what you need. It's rrp is $299.

Rhys

I might have to put my hands on one and try it before I buy it. Looking at the pictures/specs I can't be sure that the "navigation pad" is any better than the MCE Keyboard I already have.

Also seems that the new version, Desktop 8000, looks nicer with backlights too... so i think i would wait until september before spending any $$ on one too.
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=080

All I really wanted, personally, is a wireless laptop keyboard with the extra MCE buttons :)

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richms

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#75173 19-Jun-2007 15:35

Hows the microsoft one for lag? The only bluetooth mouse I have used in the past was way too laggy even for day-to-day use.

Richard rich.ms

rwales

122 posts

Master Geek

#75175 19-Jun-2007 15:51

I've decided that it would be good to get a wireless KB/mouse for my media center

Kids today with their new-fangled devices. Don't throw away your old KB/Mouse. An ancient PS/2 keyboard can be invaluable if you get boot problems.

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Buster

297 posts

Ultimate Geek

#75342 20-Jun-2007 16:15

We use a 'Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 8000'. Certainly works ok at 8 meters. Has a magnification window feature which can be useful at that range. We use the scroll wheel to adjust volume up and down.

We just use the Microsoft onscreen keyboard for the occasional keyboard task.

Just checked and mouse pointer still moves at 14 meters.

DG

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#75530 21-Jun-2007 14:15

rwales: Kids today with their new-fangled devices. Don't throw away your old KB/Mouse. An ancient PS/2 keyboard can be invaluable if you get boot problems.

If you are linke me..... I got two laptops, one desktop and one server in the home. None of them have a PS2 port!!!

Who needs PS2, when the BIOS can support USB2 natively?

Oops I am veering off topic.

Just on the wireless KB / Mouse topic .... No matter which one you go with (I got the bluetooth one from Microsoft) it is worth investing in some rechargeable batteries and chager - you get your money back within 8 months.

gpnz

80 posts

Master Geek

#75613 22-Jun-2007 10:23

Some interesting stuff in this thread, with this and my particular requirements in mind I have purchased a Logitech EX 110 wireless KB and Mouse from DSE and have to say that overall this is excellent value for money and suits my needs perfectly.

I wouldn't describe the keyboard as a media center keyboard, but rather a keyboard with some media functions (which admittedly are not so important for me).

I would describe the keyboard action as average, in that I have used better, but have definitely used worse. The good thing is that at DSE they usually have all the keyboards setup for you too have a tap on. Overall however, I find the keyboard comfortable to use and responsive. The mouse is also comfortable in the hand and moves well on the surface and tracks well on the PC.

The KB/Mouse are also reasonably good to look at.

The best part for me however is the wireless range. I was a bit worried about this before I purchased as I havent been able to find any other reference to the range you can expect. For me, I can sit back on my couch (which is about 3 meters away from the TV) and the mouse and keyboard operate fine with no skipping or lag. This is probably in part a result of the receiver having a reasonably decent length cable on it. I have positioned the receiver on the front of my cabinet, which looks fine.

Given that my main reason for wanting this was so that the kids could sit in front of the TV at the coffee table and play some of their kids games this combo is perfect. At $60 you cant go wrong.

Cheers,

mcb

18 posts

Geek

#75637 22-Jun-2007 12:55

hey gpnz
any chance you could walk around a bit and see what the range is on your logitech EX110? even try it in the next room for me?

I want a similar gadget to work at a range of about 6 metre and thru a wall as the PC and TV are in different rooms (there's currently a LAN cable thru and I'll add some coax or - shudder - put RCA plugs on a LAN plug and put the composite adio/video thru that - I'm a low-fi soldering-iron guy).

alternatievly anyone know of recommendations for long range (6-10m) wireless mouse? and large icon software to control XP and pretend its a media centre

Thanks for any help you can offer

gpnz

80 posts

Master Geek

#75846 25-Jun-2007 10:12

Sure, I'll try it tonight - sorry was away over the weekend :)

Cheers,

gpnz

80 posts

Master Geek

#75946 26-Jun-2007 10:34

Hey mcb,

3 meters seems to be the sweet spot on the EX 110 - not much more than that (on mine anyway) and you start dropping keystrokes and the mouse is erratic, not much more than that and nothing works. Slightly better news tho, I went into the hot water cuppboard, which is the other side of the wall that the MCE PC sits next to. Its not directly in line, so I estimate a distance of around 1.5-2.5 meters and it worked fine (I didnt even play with the receiver position).

The receiver does have probably around a meter of cable, so I suppose if you were into drilling holes etc you might be able to place the receiver on one side of the wall and the PC on the other - although you'd need a hole big enough for the USB connector to fit through, unless you wanted to cut that and resolder it once through the wall... but you would still only have around 3 meters max (from the receiver) with the EX 110.

Cheers,

mcb

18 posts

Geek

#75981 26-Jun-2007 16:25

gpnz
Thanks so much for trying it out for me. 3m is less than I need so I'll cross that one off the list. As i saw in your post, its hard to get good figures on the range of these things. I guess no one wants to make promises.. especially in going through walls

if anyone can recommend a long range mouse/device please let me know

Cheers

Buster

297 posts

Ultimate Geek

#75984 26-Jun-2007 17:05

Check out the Blue Tooth options. These tend to have a better range.

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