I thought I’d update everyone on my search for the perfect HTPC keyboard.
DSI Wireless Keyboard (~$70)
The DSI is a ¾ sized HTPC keyboard with full sized keys and achieves its ¾ size buy leaving off a dedicated number pad. Keyboard feel is more than adequate for a HTPC or presentation keyboard/trackball. The trackball resides in the upper right hand corner and there is a trigger like “left click” button to the right rear of the keyboard where the index finger naturally falls when manipulating the trackball with your thumb. The center and “right click” buttons are on the top left. The overall effect for a right hander is as close to perfect ergonomics as one could hope for from a lap-centric HTPC keyboard. The downside of course is it’s huge! Nobody is going to mistake this ¾ size keyboard for a remote control and the multimedia keys are limited to browser and pause/stop/start/volume. Connectivity is via an included 2.4 MHz dongle and responsiveness at 15 the feet I need is excellent and I haven't tested from further away. The Dsi uses 4 AA batteries.
Bottom line: This is the keyboard that you want for setting up your HTPC and for writing emails and notes from your HTPC but it’s probably ten times larger than most of us want for a HTPC keyboard.
Ergonomics……….*****
Functionality……..***
Responsiveness…****
Mouse Accuracy..***
Size…………………… *
Lenovo Mini Remote/Keyboard ($25-59 depending on sales)
The Lenovo mini attempts to strike a balance between the micro size and functionality and it does a pretty fair job. The keyboard itself is a classic thumb keyboard with a grip handle and trackball located below. Unfortunately the black keyboard with tiny white and orange markings is not back-lighted and some keys like the “:” key are very hard to see. But that’s a minor quibble when the real weakness is the placement and sloppiness of the trackball. The trackball is just too small and loose and is just big enough to get in the way of a left click when trying to use it one handed. The upside is that the mouse function can be used one handed but it’s a challenge to be accurate one handed or two. Lenovo really should re-engineer this mini with the famous “eraser mouse” from their Thinkpads. Multimedia keys are limited to pause/stop/start/volume. The included 2.4 MHz USB micro-dongle comes stored in a slot in the battery compartment. 2 AAA batteries required. Note these go on sale at the Lenovo site for $25-30 fairly often but you'll need to watch for a coupon code.
Ergonomics……….****
Functionality……..***
Responsiveness…****
Mouse Accuracy..**
Size…………………… *****
Logitech DiNovo ($110-150)
The DiNovo is a Bluetooth micro keyboard with a tiny combination trackpad/right-click button in the upper right hand corner. The keyboard has a flip up cover and is back-lighted. The keys are responsive and although the overall size isn’t a lot larger than the Lenovo the keys are just enough larger to make thumb typing a bit easier once you master the 2 handed DiNovo grip (Droid users may prefer the Lenovo). The 2 browser and player shortcut keys are assignable and it includes a sleep button and the usual pause/stop/play/volume buttons. The problem that I’ve had with this one is the hit or miss accuracy of the touchpad. The touchpad requires a deft touch from small fingers and you can forget about just sliding a thumb. I found clicking the touchpad awkward as well. Logitech’s SetPoint mouse control application does help a bit though. The battery is a Li cell phone type battery and a charger is included. Unfortunately it’s not a USB changer and you’re left with keeping one more wall wart lying around.
Ergonomics……….****
Functionality……..***
Responsiveness…***
Mouse Accuracy..**
Size……………………*****
ProMini Wireless Keyboard ($30-50)
This is one of a host of clones or near clone devices that include a very functional keyboard and moderately responsive touchpad. A micro-dongle is included and stored within the remote. The keyboard is back-lighted and complete and very easy to use. The touchpad on mine did not allow for tapping to select but otherwise was fairly good for its tiny size. The battery is internal and not user replaceable. The problem with mine, and I may have gotten a bad one, was the 2-5 foot range – line of sight only, and the fact that it died the second day. I returned it for a refund and will refrain from fully scoring it based on the theory that maybe I just got a bad one.
Ergonomics……….***
Functionality……..N/R
Responsiveness…N/R
Mouse Accuracy..N/R
Size……………………*****
Unified Remote for Android Phones (free - $4)
Going in I really wanted to hate this one because I dislike the concept of cell phone remote control of most devices. Well I’m making an exception simply because 1) the large 4” display of my Droid X makes for a very responsive and accurate 4” trackpad, 2) the controls and tapping schemes are very Droid and well thought out, and 3) you don’t channel surf a HTPC the way that you do a TV. You install a client on each HTPC or server that you want to control and then just connect from the phone via your home network or Bluetooth. The free version includes basic soft keyboard and very accurate touchpad functionality and dedicated onscreen remotes for file manager, task manager, windows media center, YouTube and a few more. The pay version adds
dedicated remotes for Boxee, Foobar2000, MediaMonkey, and just a ton of others. I’ll take one point off on responsiveness for having to wake up the phone every time I want to use it but it’s worth it and I’m going to give five functionality stars for the dedicated remotes. The downside (for now) is that a Windows system popup blocks it and you need a hardware mouse to clear the message. I've emailed the developer and hopefully they're working on a fix - one point off functionality.
Note that the Unified client and Logitech's SetPoint do no seem to play well together.
Ergonomics……….*****
Functionality……..****
Responsiveness…****
Mouse Accuracy..*****
Size……………………N/R (it's your smartphone)
So what did I pick? Well obviously I have a wealth of keyboards (2 from old builds). I'll be using Unified in my family room but will keep the DiNovo (minus SetPoint) handy until the developer fixes the popup issue. Once that happens it's going in the bedroom for an upcoming bedroom HTPC build, and the Lenovo is wonderfully small and plenty good enough for my server.
Wishlist: Really only one thing. I'd like to see good cheap fully functional remote/mirrored desktop for an Android tablet and/or laptops. I'm not sure it would bring much more to the table but it would be fun to run maintenance on my server from another room.
