Interacting with HTPCs: Logitech and Perixx Options Reviewed
by Ganesh T S on May 11, 2015 8:00 AM ESTComparisons and Concluding Remarks
Coming to the business end of the review, we have to take into consideration that the four keyboards reviewed in the preceding pages all target different price points and usage scenarios within the HTPC market. While the PERIBOARD-706 PLUS is a trackball keyboard, the other three provide touchpads. Personally, I prefer touchpad keyboards for HTPC use, but I can see users opting for trackball-based units given the advantage in terms of keyboard size. Some users believe that a backlit keyboard is a necessity for their HTPC setup and are quite willing to pay the premium for that. The Logitech K830 targets that niche.
The table below summarizes and compares the various aspects of all the wireless keyboard / trackball / touchpad combinations that we have reviewed so far.
| Keyboard Bench | ||
| Aspect | Logitech K830 | |
| Device Type | Keyboard + 2-button Touchpad | Keyboard + 2-button Touchpad |
| Dimensions | 14.40" x 4.90" x 0.65" | 16.14" x 5.71" x 1.02" |
| Weight | 1.09 lbs / 495 g | 1.12 lbs / 507 g |
| Power Source | Internal rechargeable battery | 2x AA |
| Communication | 2.4 GHz RF | 2.4 GHz RF |
| Power Saver | Explicit On/Off Switch | Explicit On/Off Switch |
| Keys Count | 79 + 3 volume control keys | 85 (with 11 multiplexed multimedia hotkeys) |
| Touchpad Dimensions (Diagonal) | 3.7" | 3.66" |
| USB Receiver Storage Compartment | No | No |
| Backlight | Yes | No |
| Keyboard Layout | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Ergonomics | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Build Quality | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| MSRP (USD) | $99.99 | $24.99 |
| Warranty | 1 year | 1 year |
As evident from the table above, it is difficult to declare one particular unit as the best HTPC interfacing option out there. All of the presented units could do with an upgrade to operation in the 5 GHz band. Backlighting and internal rechargeable batteries carry a huge premium. Thankfully, almost all of the above options carry an explicit on/off switch.
In our opinion, the Logitech K400 presents the best balance of price, keyboard layout, ergonomics and build quality for HTPC purposes. It is not for everyone, though. Readers interested in a particular feature can use the above table to narrow down their choices and see how they compare to the other options.
Moving forward, we are looking forward to reviewing more options in this particular niche. If there is any particular model that you would like us to review, please sound off in the comments.
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Salvor - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
Disappointing to me that none of these are left-handed or least ambidextrous, but such is life shopping for peripherals as a lefty.superflex - Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - link
Visit the Leftorium in Springfield.Ned Flanders, proprietor.
Ilmarinen - Friday, May 15, 2015 - link
website: www.stupidflanders.comRefuge - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
So, either Logitech is getting away with highway robbery, or we are buying disposable razors?Not to sound like a dick, but I feel like you were way to soft in this one. If the thing is scratching you, why does it almost get the same ratings as the Logitech's? That seems like a massive design flaw.
Logitech's are over priced pieces of junk, and the Perixx's are disposable razors. Neither are really a solution to the problem, they are just two bad products for a Niche that up until now hasn't seen much attention.
If you tell them they suck, they might start paying attention. :)
Samus - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
The Microsoft N9Z-00001 is $25 and kills everything in this list. It doesn't have backlit keys, but it does last a year on two AA batteries making the K8xx presumably lithium battery unnecessary.What really bothers me about all the HTPC keyboards now is the lack of Bluetooth for interference-free long range use, and a dedicated sleep button.
jann5s - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
+1, the microsoft keyboard could have bin in this review as well.And i'm looking forward to the new razor turret, but that has not been released yet
ClockworkPirate - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
I have the Microsoft keyboard, and while quantitatively it's quite good (media/shortcut keys, trackpad gestures), qualitatively I don't like it at all. The keys are mushy, the trackpad isn't a Precision Touchpad for some unfathomable reason, and of course it doesn't connect with Bluetooth.Samus - Monday, May 11, 2015 - link
It's a $25 keyboard of course the keys are mushy, but granted the key "feel" on the Logitech is snappier (it's a thicker keyboard.) The nail in the coffin is the caps, though. My correction rate on stepped keys is very high.With some tweaking the trackpad can be quite good. Turn off "enhance pointer precision" and it doesn't feel so floaty.
The Microsoft Media keyboard is far from perfect, but I think its substantially better than the K400 in every respect.
alexrw - Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - link
I just got the MS keyboard as well and I agree. It looks better than the K400 but it's quite a lot worse when you actually use it. The track pad is simply erratic in comparison, and because the buttons are underneath, I find it awkward and uncomfortable to click as my finger always hits the plastic rim instead. Keys are ok-ish. The only thing that's better than the K400 is the layout (larger keys on the right side, helps if you type for longer).johnny_boy - Friday, May 15, 2015 - link
I have the MS keyboard as well. I've had it for quite some time and while it looks nice, it's pretty bad and I wouldn't recommend it. The keys are squishy and the trackpad horrible, at least on linux. They've also designed the pad so that it has that upside-down "natural" scroll and the settings aren't configurable in linux because it doesn't use a standard touchpad driver. The reception on the receiver doesn't seem to be that great either, but I know the 2.4Ghz band here is a bit congested. Not a great piece of tech by any means.