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Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/8632/interacting-with-htpcs-adesso-keyboard-options-reviewed
Interacting with HTPCs: Adesso Keyboard Options Reviewed
by Ganesh T S on October 22, 2014 8:00 AM EST
Introduction
The cord-cutting trend has made streaming STBs (set-top boxes) and HTPCs (home theater PCs) popular. Remotes are bundled with all OTT (over-the-top) boxes and Android media streamers, and Media Center remotes are common for HTPCs. However, as media consumption becomes more interactive (for example, consumers explicitly searching for a movie to play on Netflix), the use of remotes with limited functionality becomes cumbersome. As an option for interacting with HTPCs, we pay attention to devices which fulfill the following criteria:
- The device should be wireless and optimally sized (neither the mini- varieties which make typing with large fingers difficult, nor the full-sized combos which come with separate keyboard and mouse units)
- The device should come with either an integrated touchpad or a trackball
- Ergonomics and ease of use with a layout as similar as possible to a traditional keyboard while also allowing for short-term single handed operation common in HTPC scenarios
- Be adaptable for the occasional prolonged typing / computer interaction task with properly sized keys
Some of the other desirable features include prolongation of battery life by going into sleep mode (either automatically, or through an explicit toggle switch), 5 GHz communication frequency (to avoid the crowded 2.4 GHz spectrum) and an integrated rechargeable battery with a charging dock. It would also be nice to have ease of use with Windows 8.x (in terms of replicating touchscreen functionality on a touchpad). Obviously, features have to be traded off to hit an acceptable price point. So, the options we want to look at might not hit any of the desirable features too.
The Logitech K400 is one of the most popular HTPC keyboards. Frequently available for less than $30, its feature-to-price ratio is simply unparalleled. Unfortunately, the keyboard does have a few drawbacks with respect to ergonomics and key placement, making it challenging to use it for extended typing duties. With a better budget, would it be possible to improve the HTPC interaction experience? That is what we hope to answer with our 'Interacting with HTPCs' series. Our first review in that category was our extended look at the options from IOGEAR and SIIG earlier this year.
In today's piece, we will be looking at the various interaction options from Adesso, with MSRPs ranging from $30 - $75:
- Adesso SlimTouch WKB-3000 Wireless Mini Trackball Keyboard
- Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4400 Wireless Desktop Touchpad Keyboard
- Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4000BB Bluetooth Wireless Touchpad Keyboard
- Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4000UB Wireless Touchpad Mini Keyboard
- Adesso SlimTouch WKB-1200 2.4 GHz RF Wireless Stainless Steel Keyboard & Mouse Combo
In addition to the above five models, Adesso also sent us the SlimTouch WKB-4210UB. However, the sample had some issues with a stuck touchpad button and we will not cover that in this review. In addition, the batteries supplied with a couple of the samples were dead, but that doesn't have any bearing on the aspects that we will cover in the rest of the review.
We will first take a look at the features offered by each of these keyboards in detail along with some usage impressions. This will be followed by the comparison of the pros and cons of each of these units on a single page. Note that most of the aspects presented in keyboard reviews are subjective and dependent on test environment. For example, even the wireless range may vary from one test location to another because the 2.4 GHz channel being used might exhibit interference issues under certain conditions. This could result in improper functioning and range issues. While one unit relies on Bluetooth for communication, the other four are RF-based and operate in the 2.4 GHz band with an advertised range of 30 ft (under ideal conditions). We will not be covering the range factor any further in this review.
Adesso SlimTouch WKB-3000
The Adesso SlimTouch WKB-3000U is a wireless keyboard / trackball combo. Using 2x AAA batteries, it operates in the 2.4 GHz range and has an advertised range of 30 ft. Since it is a HID-compliant device, it works for PCs (including MCE applications), game consoles, media streamers and most smart TVs. The trackball is on the top right, while the mouse buttons and scroll wheel / middle button are on the left.
The unique feature of the SlimTouch WKB-3000 is the feel and ease of movement of the laser sensor trackball. Compared to the IOGEAR GKM561R and the SIIG JK-WR0412-S1, the trackball feels more solid and easier to use. Unlike the IOGEAR unit, there is no selectable DPI resolution for the trackball - it is fixed at 800 DPI. The 2.4 GHz spectrum is pretty crowded, and it is to Adesso's advantage that the kit can operate in one of 8 different frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band. The contouring of the keyboard sides also makes it much easier to hold and operate compared to the IOGEAR GKM561R. On the hardware side, there are four rubber 'buttons' for slip-resistance on the underside. The battery compartment is on the same side at the top. An explicit on/off toggle switch is to the left, while a Connect button to modify the communication channel is on the right. However, the most attractive feature of the WKB-3000U (and most of the other Adesso keyboards that we are discussing today) is the availability of a recessed magentized receptacle on the underside. It can be used to safely stow away the USB key when moving the keyboard to another PC / storing it for later use.
An issue with most of the HTPC-oriented keyboards is that the ergonomics make it very difficult to operate them with a single hand. For typical PC usage, it is acceptable to expect both hands to be used to interact. However, in the living room, it is often common to have the device by the side rather than hold it with both hands (particularly, when using it as a replacement for a mouse). In this context, the SlimTouch WKB-3000 has a drawback, as the mouse buttons are on the left side while the trackball is on the right.
Compared to the similar IOGEAR unit, the keys are proportional (no oversized Return or Backspace keys), though the layout makes it necessary to reduce the size of the Shift key and move the Delete and Insert keys to non-traditional locations. Unlike the SIIG JK-WR0412-S1, the Ctrl and Fn keys are placed in the appropriate location. A similarity with the SIIG keyboards is the presence of a numeric keypad along with the traditional keys, activated by a combination of the Num Lock and Fn keys. With the SIIG keyboards, it still gives me much grief (particularly while typing in passwords for Windows login) - as there is no standard amongst PCs / BIOSes to bring out the Num Lock activated or deactivated at boot time. The Adesso keyboards suffer from the same issue as the SIIG. However, the user can easily identify the issue, thanks to the status LED in the middle of the shortcut buttons on the top row. In addition to the Num Lock, we also have the Caps Lock as well as low battery indicators.
The scissor-switch keys are a pleasure to type on. There are seven multimedia hotkeys which work well with XBMC (and, I suspect, most other media players). Dedicated Internet hotkeys are also present. The scroll-wheel can also act as a middle mouse button, making the keyboard design very flexible. All in all, a very comfortable keyboard layout with the right tradeoffs, though I can say that the numeric keypad feature won't be missed if it goes away. The keyboard currently sells on Amazon for $56.
Adesso 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.
Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4000
The Adesso SlimTouch WKB-4000 series has two members, the traditional 2.4 GHz RF WKB-4000UB version and the Bluetooth WKB-4000BB version. Other than the communication mechanism, both devices share the same external hardware design. These 87-key wireless keyboard / touchpad combos use 2x AAA batteries and offer up to 30 ft. range.
The keyboard layout is the same as that of the SIIG JK-WR0312-S1, except for the proper positioning of the Ctrl and Fn keys. The numeric keypad is also multiplexed with the traditional keys, activated by a combination of the Num Lock and Fn keys. Similar to the WKB-3000, there is a LED indicator (at the top right corner instead of the top center) to indicate whether the Num Lock key is active or not. Therefore, the ease of use factor is much improved over the SIIG version.
The attractive feature set of explicit power switches, auto-sleep after an inactivity period, secure receptacle for stowing the USB key and a Connect button to alter the communication channel is also available in the WKB-4000 series. For the Bluetooth version, a Bluetooth receiver is supplied, but I also tested it out successfully on various PCs and tablets / smartphones with in-built Bluetooth capability. The only requirement was that the initial pairing had to be done with some other input interface being active (particularly for the PCs which didn't have touchscreens). Otherwise, the keyboard even worked at boot time on those PCs without the Bluetooth receiver plugged in.
The scissor-switch keys of the WKB-3000 are retained in the two keyboards. Subjectively speaking, I enjoyed typing on these keys more than the WKB-4400's membrane keys. The 3" x 1.75" touchpad in the WKB-4000 units is also bigger than the WKB-4400's 2.25" x 1.5" version. Hassle-free one-handed operation is also possible. The touchpads could do with some gesture support, but that is not much of a deal breaker. All the keys are proportionally sized and present no learning curve to traditional keyboard users. All in all, the two keyboard / trackpad combo units could become ideal HTPC interaction options if they did away with the multiplexed numeric keypads.
The Bluetooth version is available for $70 on Amazon, while the vanilla RF version is retailing for $60 on Newegg currently.
Adesso SlimTouch WKB-1200
The SlimTouch WKB-1200 is a wireless keyboard / mouse combo. It is unlikely to act as a traditional HTPC interaction option in the living room because of the separate keyboard and mouse components. However, it has the potential to be used in dorm rooms with desktop PCs which double as media consumption units. The sleekness and size of the keyboard are its main plus points. Adesso is quite clear that the main target market for this device is users who are frequently on the go and prefer separate keyboard and mouse units for interacting with PCs at different locations.
The keyboard and mouse use 2x AAA batteries each and operate in the 2.4 GHz range for a 30 ft. range. The stainless steel back and edge-to-edge design of the keyboard give it a premium look. The scissor-switch keys are a pleasure to type on. They keyboard itself is quite slim (4.5 mm / 0.2") and the batteries are accommodated in a bulge at the top (which gives the keyboard an ergonomic raise). Pretty much the only downside of the WKB-1200 is the squished nature of the arrow and shift keys as well as the out-of-place backslash key. These create a slight learning curve for users coming from traditional keyboards.
The optical mouse has a 1000 DPI resolution and, like every other combo device, uses the same USB receiver as the keyboard. The scroll wheel in the middle can also act as a middle mouse button. Like the keyboard, the mouse also has an explicit on/off toggle switch and a 'Connect' button to pair with the USB receiver. Unfortunately, the build and industrial design of the mouse don't measure up to the standard set by the keyboard despite the attractive external features.
Unlike the other devices that we have covered in this piece, the WKB-1200 doesn't have a receptacle for the USB key. That said, the most attractive aspect of the unit is its $34 price on Newegg.
Final Words
Adesso has a number of wireless options for users requiring to interact with PCs. We took a look at three which specifically target the HTPC market and two that target the general PC market, but could find use in certain HTPC scenarios. The following table summarizes the features and specifications of the units that we have looked at today.
Adesso HTPC Keyboards - Specifications & Features | ||||
Aspect | WKB-3000 | WKB-4400 | WKB-4000 | WKB-1200 |
Device Type | Keyboard + Trackball / 2-button + Scroll wheel | Keyboard + Touchpad / 2-button | Keyboard + Touchpad / 2-button | Keyboard + Optical Mouse (2-button + Scroll wheel) |
Dimensions | 15" x 6.1" x 1.6" | 18" x 6.5" x 0.9" | 11.75" x 8.25" x 0.8" | 14” x 4.3” x 0.2” (K) ; 3.0” x 4.6“ x 1.5” (M) |
Weight | 1.5 lbs / 680 g | 1.875 lbs / 850.5 g | 1.25 lbs / 550 g | 0.77 lbs / 350 g (K) ; 0.18 lbs / 82 g (M) |
Power Source | 2x AAA | 2x AAA | 2x AAA | 2x AAA |
Communication | RF 2.4 GHz / USB Receiver | RF 2.4 GHz / USB Receiver |
RF 2.4 GHz (UB) / Bluetooth (BB) / USB Receivers |
RF 2.4 GHz / USB Receiver |
Power Saver | Explicit On / Off Switch | Explicit On / Off Switch + Auto Sleep | Explicit On / Off Switch + Auto Sleep | Explicit On / Off Switch |
Extra Keys | 7 (Multimedia) + 7 (Internet) | 12 (multiplexed with Function keys) | 0 | 12 (multiplexed with Function keys) |
USB Receiver Storage Compartment | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Backlight | No | No | No | No |
Keyboard Layout | 7 / 10 | 9 / 10 | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
Ergonomics | 7 / 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 | 7 / 10 |
Build Quality | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 | 8 / 10 (K) ; 6 / 10 (M) |
MSRP (USD) | $69.99 | $79.99 | $89.99 | $39.99 |
Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
As outlined in the device-specific discussions, there is scope for improvement in each of them. However, compared to the offerings in the broader market, the Adesso units have a number of attractive features:
- Explicit power on/off toggle switch
- Power conservation via auto-sleep after a certain inactivity duration
- Recessed receptacle on the underside for stowing the USB receiver safely (held by a magnet placed in the receptacle)
- LED indicators for the Num Lock status (useful in cases where the numeric keypad is multiplexed with the traditional keys).
On the other side, Adesso needs to step up quality control and increase the warranty period from 1 year to 3 years (considering that all other vendors out there have a 3 year warranty on the keyboards). Out of the six samples we were shipped, one of them (the SlimTouch 4210) had a faulty touchpad button. The batteries bundled with a couple of the samples had no juice left. In addition, the magnet in the USB key receptacle for the WKB-3000 was missing. All said, these minor annoyances - which should not be a problem for consumers purchasing with warranty - do not prevent us from recommending Adesso units as HTPC interaction options. In our subjective opinion, the WKB-3000 (the trackball keyboard) and WKB-4000BB (the Bluetooth-based keyboard / touchpad combo) merit particular consideration.