Wireless Keyboard w/o a Wireless Mouse?

Pampusik asks: "I'm looking for a decent wireless keyboard, but do not need a wireless mouse. Unfortunately, it seems it is nearly impossible to buy a wireless keyboard without having a mouse bundled with it. The only wireless, mouse-less keyboard I've been able to find is an option from Logitech. It is, however, not an impressive keyboard. Are there other options available?"

Comments

Solution

[Acidic_Diarrhea]

Here's an option, buy the keyboard and mouse package. Then, superglue a piece of string to the top of the mouse and run that string to the back of the computer and tie it onto something back there. Voila, you've got a wireless keyboard and a wired mouse - just like you wanted!

It should be clear that no one else needs to post in this article.

Re:Solution

[0x0d0a]

Note that this is not quite as silly as one might think.

I had a friend that stopped using a wireless mouse because it kept getting lost under piles of stuff.

With a wired mouse, you always have a cord to follow.

I, personally, can't figure out the fetish with wirelessness. If you're using a computer monitor, the size is pretty much such that you must be at your desk. If you want to control music or movies, an IR remote is a much better choice -- more comfortable to hold, can be used without a desk, cheap, and the batteries last until kingdom come.

The only possibly justifiable thing I can think of might be that a wireless mouse doesn't have a cord moving around and knocking things over. A keyboard doesn't really move too much. I found it *particularly* irritating to find a *wired* optical trackball that I liked (eventually went with the MacAlly QBALL). Who would want a wireless *trackball*? You don't move the thing, and there's just no way for the cord to whack things.

If you *do* go wireless, you introduce all manner of irritations:

* Security. Obvious. Probably not a huge issue for most, given that attacking your device means physically planting a monitoring device quite nearby. (Perhaps cracking into another nearby computer using a RF or IR sensor might work, but it would still take some doing).

* Batteries. This is a big deal in my mind. Batteries add weight. They mean that voltage starts dropping off, and devices get less reliable. You have to change the durn little things, and if you come back home and discover that your batteries are dead, you're in for some charging/replacing before you can do anything.

* Reliability. Logitech's pre-Bluetooth mice "block" each other when used in the same range. Other RF crap going on can muck with your signal.

* Performance. I remember folks complaining about performance degredation -- not sure whether it was due to latency increases or sampling rate decreases.

Re:Solution

[Dun Malg]

Who would want a wireless *trackball*? You don't move the thing, and there's just no way for the cord to whack things.

I have my trackball mouse mounted to the arm of my chair. Wireless means I don't have to worry about tripping over the cord. My case is unusual though.

Apple Bluetooth Keyboard

[jcbphi]

Apple's wireless (bluetooth) keyboard. No mouse included.

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects /A ppleStore.woa/70702/wo/ul2nAMdvPhM028BKE761R4igMn9 /1.3.0.5.10

More detail, plz

[Txiasaeia]

What are you going to use the keyboard for? D'ya want a full keyboard or is a compact okay? What's your price range? What specifically do you need in addition to the normal ~104 keys (volume control, navigation, scroll function, etc.)? The keyboard you linked to is actually a great product - it's cheap, has good tactile feedback and gets the job done.

Had this setup once

[baldass_newbie]

IBM PCjr. Infrared keyboard and no mouse.
Of course, it didn't have a hard drive either.

An easy Google search answers this

[dstone]

it seems it is nearly impossible to buy a wireless keyboard without having a mouse bundled with it

The person asking the question (and the editor who accepted it) are not trying very hard. "wireless keyboard" -mouse

Best and Worst

[Michael.Forman]

I must warn you not to purchase the IBM Wireless Navigator Pro Keyboard (SK-8810) . Although it has a great layout and an integrated mouse, it has usable range of about a meter. Beyond that it starts dropping letters. Nt vry usefl for typng meangfl contnt and evn wrse for the cmmand lne.

If you are fortunate enough to have invested in Apple hardware, I cannot recommend enough the new Apple Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. They're flawless.

Michael.

Re:What about Safety

[gl4ss]

afaik all logitechs newer keyboards at least support some advanced cryptography or another.

at least they come with a funky app which you can use to turn it on(involves writing some stuff on the keyboard the program says, pressing buttons). the very least thing you have to do is to pair the receiver to the keyboard(by pressing a button simultaneously on device and the receiver, dunno if this includes crypt of any kind).

most older keybs used to be IR so that solved it naturally right there.

if you're skeptic just keep the corded keyboard hooked up and use that while at the desk, and the wireless one when watching movies from tv or whatever reason you find the wireless keyboard necessary for.

Re:IR no solution

[gl4ss]

if you have access to the room, YOU'RE PRETTY MUCH SCREWED ALREADY.

thinkgeek for example sells these nifty little devices that go between the computer and the keyboard and record the keypresses.. not to mention if you can put a camera in the same room(or a ir sensor, just a camera wouldn't have enough fps to cope with the signal)

Re:Easy solution

[Chess_the_cat]

Huh? So what? Unless the transmitter for the keyboard is in the mouse why can't he dump the mouse? If you're thinking no one will buy it on ebay because it doesn't come with a transmitter then you don't really understand ebay. If a dude will buy a ghost in a jar or a can of used shaving cream why wouldn't someone buy a transmitterless mouse?

Re:What about Safety

[iantri]

Unless the wannabe haxz0rz are hiding under your desk, I don't think it will be a problem.

But just give the space under your desk a little kick to make sure. If you hear an "Oof!", there may be a security breach.

;)