remote/mini-keyboard for media center

[Matt3o]

I'm looking for a remote or mini-keyboard for my (linux) HTPC. I'm currently using a Dinovo Mini which is the worst keyboard a human being has ever designed.

Any suggestion? I'd prefer to avoid bluetooth if possible.

thanks!

[badcop]

I  use a smartphone. It works surprisingly well. Air mouse is one that comes to mind.

[divito]

I use - http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_273_580&item_id=038916

At first, I was just looking for something fairly cheap, but I was surprised how comfortable and versatile this keyboard was. All standard functions on a small setup, side media keys (didn't test their compatibility with Linux though), browser keys along the top. Left and right click on front and top ends of keyboard as well.

[Matt3o]

that looks pretty neat, thanks!

[SidusNare]

I have fought with what to do for my TV computer for a long time, I use mine as a video player primarily, do some web browsing, and occasionally I have to do some quick coding / hacking on it.

I tried just having USB cables to a 60% and a laser mouse, logitech's proprietary wireless offerings, and other brands of blue-tooth brands before. Anything wireless just wouldn't do well, signal drop and jittery at the range of my sofa.

I know you said you wanted to avoid blue-tooth, but I finally settled on the Apple 60% keyboard and track pad, despite really not liking track-pads. It isn't as bad as most, and the blue-tooth is rock solid, great signal latency and range, I can even game with it some.  Also, the Linux kernel and xorg drivers support the silly gestured the track-pad can recognize.

[FuriousGeorge]

If you find one that isn't a cheap piece of junk let me know. I've tried a couple of them and hated them. Right now I'm using a cheap windows media center remote for controlling xmbc. I picked up a tg3 blt82 keyboard/trackpad very cheaply on ebay that works pretty well with a usb extension cable and I sometimes use my phone.

[divito]

If you find one that isn't a cheap piece of junk let me know. I've tried a couple of them and hated them. Right now I'm using a cheap windows media center remote for controlling xmbc. I picked up a tg3 blt82 keyboard/trackpad very cheaply on ebay that works pretty well with a usb extension cable and I sometimes use my phone.

Refer to my above post if you might be able to buy one to try for a bit.

[FuriousGeorge]

Refer to my above post if you might be able to buy one to try for a bit.

Thanks. I may give that one a try. Now that I'm getting used to having a wired keyboard it's not too bad. I'm really liking this tg3 cop car keyboard for my media center. I don't think I'd want to use it as a normal keyboard at my desk, but for this purpose it's ideal.

[0100010]

Lenovo N5901 / N5902

[Cafiend]

wow that Lenovo is pretty nice

[davkol]

It's not all that great, but I doubt there's anything nicer. I gave one to my dad... it was OK as a HTPC remote control until few keys stopped working. The trackball wasn't smooth at all, and there was no middle click button or wheel either. Kinda mixed feelings.

[FuriousGeorge]

I have a lenovo like that one, but I think it may be a prior version. I didn't like it at all. The keys weren't that great to use and moving it at all made the trackball register movement. I'm happier now with a generic mce remote for handling playback in xbmc and a real compact keyboard when I need to type something.