Backlit Keyboard for Desktop - Recomendations?

[AndyM]

Hi Guys,

I have a client that would like a compact backlit keyboard for their desktop PC.

Something similar to either the Logitech K810:

Requirements are:

Compact size (as above Logitech)
Wireless, but NOT Bluetooth

I've had a look through a whole load of gaming keyboards, but they are traditional full size keyboards, and being gaming keyboards, they are wired.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Andy

 

[nlinecomputers]

Why not bluetooth? YOu can get cheap bluetooth modules that plug into a USB port.

 

[AndyM]

It's been a while since I used Bluetooth for a main PC keyboard. At the time, you had to boot into Windows before you could access the keyboard, so no getting into the BIOS or selecting startup devices at system startup.

Has this changed? If it has, then the K811 with a micro Bluetooth adaptor may be the way to go.

Andy

 

[mraikes]

Well, here's an example of an RF backlit keyboard:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126194

I didn't look at the size, so maybe it's too big but your options on RF and Backlit might be kind of limited anyway.

Why can't it be bluetooth?

EDIT: I've never given any thought to RF vs Bluetooth when it comes to wireless keyboards. Not that I buy anything special (like backlit). I just pick the packaging that says "wireless" and looks like a physical style I'd like. But now I'm wondering if I should care . . . and why?

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I remember looking for one a while ago, have one client that needs mini keyboards and I always used Adesso for that. But they don't have an illuminated mini.

Found a company I never heard of...their website is cheesy...but, http://www.fentek-ind.com/mini_illuminated_keyboard.htm#.UyCFcvldWEs
Plus...it's USB powered. I know you said wireless, but for "illuminated" I'd probably want to go USB if I could, parasitic power for the lights. Else a battery powered illuminated keyboard may chomp through batteries at a crazy rate.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It's been a while since I used Bluetooth for a main PC keyboard. At the time, you had to boot into Windows before you could access the keyboard, so no getting into the BIOS or selecting startup devices at system startup.

Has this changed? If it has, then the K811 with a micro Bluetooth adaptor may be the way to go.

Andy

Don't know. That is a point I had not thought of. I'll have to test it.

 

[JustInspired]

The term to search for if you want a compact keyboard sans numpad is "tenkeyless". The illuminated and wireless don't normally go hand in hand as mentioned. I just bought an illuminated tenkeyless one with Cherry brown mechanical switches. I'm officially in love with it. The company that makes my one is called Ducky.

 

[BrentfromZulu]

The term to search for if you want a compact keyboard sans numpad is "tenkeyless". The illuminated and wireless don't normally go hand in hand as mentioned. I just bought an illuminated tenkeyless one with Cherry brown mechanical switches. I'm officially in love with it. The company that makes my one is called Ducky.

Just got a mechanical keyboard last week. It is nice. Mine is the CM Storm Tactics. I also went with Brown Switches.

 

[JustInspired]

Just got a mechanical keyboard last week. It is nice. Mine is the CM Storm Tactics. I also went with Brown Switches.

Another great choice. As a touch typist (albeit a slowish one) I really love the mechanical keyboard. Not bad for gaming either. I can never understand some of the people who work for the companies we support... How they type all day on the crappiest, ultra cheap and nasty keyboards I will never know. I'm always mentioning how they should try something decent. If it were me, I'd buy my own keyboard and take it to work!

 

[smashedbotatos]

I almost always use Logitech. Wireless and back lit is normally a bad combination for the battery life. Then again the customer wants what the customer wants.

 

[altrenda]

The Logitech K800 is a good choice, I have a user who has one and likes it.

Another great choice. As a touch typist (albeit a slowish one) I really love the mechanical keyboard. Not bad for gaming either. I can never understand some of the people who work for the companies we support... How they type all day on the crappiest, ultra cheap and nasty keyboards I will never know. I'm always mentioning how they should try something decent. If it were me, I'd buy my own keyboard and take it to work!

A lot of the writers we support carry old IBM Model M's from job to job. They love those things. I also don't know how people type on the standard Dell or even worse, the new Mac slim keyboards.

To go completely off topic, for fans of mechanicals http://lifehacker.com/five-best-mechanical-keyboards-1478307228

 

[JustInspired]

The Logitech K800 is a good choice, I have a user who has one and likes it.

A lot of the writers we support carry old IBM Model M's from job to job. They love those things. I also don't know how people type on the standard Dell or even worse, the new Mac slim keyboards.

To go completely off topic, for fans of mechanicals http://lifehacker.com/five-best-mechanical-keyboards-1478307228

I've also got a very old Dell, beige mechanical keyboard with no Windows key though. Very clackity but keeps on going and going.

Nice to see my Ducky Shine 3 on the Lifehacker roundup. It really is a heavy, well built thing. The name is pretty silly though.

 

[AndyM]

I'll look into the suggestions tomorrow.

Stoney - Good point about the power requirements and the USB. Hadn't thought of that.

My personal favourite for mechanical keyboards, is the Func KB-460. Had a play with one when they were in the "There's only one production UK model in the world, and it's here with me" point, but they wouldn't let me borrow it

This is the one:

Stupidly superb build quality, reminding me of the IBM Mainframe Keyboards that I used to use on those little ES-9000's

Check out the Func website: http://www.func.net

Andy

 

[Magic Miguel]

If you don't mind a mechanical one Corsair K95 is one. There's many mechanical keyboards that are backlit.

 

[SAG]

I remember looking for one a while ago, have one client that needs mini keyboards and I always used Adesso for that. But they don't have an illuminated mini.

Found a company I never heard of...their website is cheesy...but, http://www.fentek-ind.com/mini_illuminated_keyboard.htm#.UyCFcvldWEs
Plus...it's USB powered. I know you said wireless, but for "illuminated" I'd probably want to go USB if I could, parasitic power for the lights. Else a battery powered illuminated keyboard may chomp through batteries at a crazy rate.

I ordered from them before!
Fentek makes an awesome mouse-pen!
I've also gotten some Arabic keyboards for them (lots of Arabic doctors and such around these parts).