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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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.