| Decent keyboard, but not great |
| HP Wireless Elite Keyboard
I needed a modern keyboard to replace the archaic Win95 PS/2 version that I had been using since 1996. I wanted a portable, wireless keyboard with a small footprint. Essentially, that means no wrist pad. Also, I did NOT want a bloated keyboard with a bunch of gimmicky buttons. Finally, I wanted to keep a reasonable budget --- I did not want to break the bank for a simple keyboard. Seems simple enough... but it took me *months* to find one that matched all my criteria. In the end, the HP Elite was my only option. There were no other viable alternatives.
For the most part, the keyboard meets (but does not exceed) my expectations. It's everything the photos show you, and everything the specs sheet say. Nothing more, nothing less.
The keyboard is incredibly slim and lightweight. It's not intrusive, and feels nice to have on your lap while typing. It also has an excellent range --- the signal remains strong even when I'm several yards away. This would've made for an excellent HTPC keyboard, except it lacks the all-important thumb pad.
Speaking of thumb pads, the HP Elite feels very much like a laptop keyboard. It's very quiet, and each keystroke doesn't travel very far. There are dedicated buttons for volume, and also one for sleep. There F1-F11 buttons can double as multimedia buttons when used in conjunction with the Fn (Function) button. I like the minimalist design, even though I was a bit disappointed by the lack of zoom buttons.
There's no need for a wired receiver cluttering your desktop; all the keyboard requires is a little USB dongle plugged into the PC. The dongle has a blue LED that lights up with every keystroke registered. The LED is ridiculously bright, and can be quite annoying if you're working in a darkened room.
There is no indicator at all for the status of your CAPS and NUM locks. It doesn't bother me, although it might bug some people.
My only real complaint with the keyboard is its build quality. It is simply ATROCIOUS. The keyboard is essentially assembled from four panels: Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. The top & bottom are rock solid. The keys themselves feel great. But the side panels? Ugh!!! They feel ridiculously cheap. And you have to touch these panels whenever you grab the wireless keyboard. They are not even completely fastened into the chassis; the slightest contact with your fingers will cause these panels to jiggle. Waaay too much wiggle room in these sections. If you grab the keyboard by the sides, you will hear the side panels move, rattle, and/or squeak. Just awful, AWFUL construction --- this feels very much like one of those cheap OEM accessories that come free with low-end DELL and HP systems. When I first saw the keyboard on display at Fry's, I noticed one of the side panels was missing. I naïvely thought it was just a fluke accident; now I know that wasn't the case.
Despite the poor build quality, I remain more or less pleased with the keyboard. Functionally, it has met all my expectations. And it's not like there are viable alternatives out there that meets all my criteria. Definitely a big change from the bulky Win95 keyboard I had been using since 1996. They don't make 'em like they used to, though. That old keyboard stayed with me for 13 long years. I don't think this HP keyboard will last half as long, Given its flimsy construction, I would be surprised if this thing even lasted 3 years.
I give it 3 stars out of 5.
| | Nice keyboard that doesn't eat your desk |
| Picked up one of these yesterday and so far I'm loving it. It's quiet, the key feel isn't bad, the key layout is good (like the enlarged Delete key), and some of the special keys (like the volume control) work even though I haven't bothered to install HP's software (yet, anyhow).
Wireless range is sufficient for my needs. The little USB fob plugged right into my existing USB hub and was recognized by my system instantly without having to load any drivers. Neat!
I love the look of the keyboard, and it's very small without a ton of useless plastic around the edges - just a narrow border about half an inch wide. I was using an older wired USB Apple keyboard with my PC before this - one with white keys and a transparent body - which I chose because it didn't waste a ton of desk space. I'm not sure why manufacturers feel they have to surround their keyboards with an idiotic ocean of useless plastic. Until now, Apple seemed to be one of the few manufacturers who realized that it's not only unnecessary, but also really ugly.
I was never entirely happy with the key feel of the Apple though, and it collected dirt (and cat hair) like nobody's business. And I wanted a wireless keyboard so I could remove it from the desk entirely when I needed the space. This keyboard isn't much larger (same width, about an inch deeper), but doesn't suffer from the same . . . hygiene issues, and the keyfeel is much better.
According to everything I've read the batteries (which it comes with a set of already installed) should last for about a year, at which time I'll probably replace them with rechargeables.
It's a little spendy, and it isn't quite as space-saving as Apple's old design, but given its looks and performance I'd recommend it.
| | Nice keyboard, occasional reception problems |
| Pros:
Very nice tactile sensation (laptop-style)
Good (though limited) functionality without unnecessary extras
Sleek design (less than 1/2" thick at its thickest point)
Runs on just two AAA batteries
Small receiver works right in the USB port -- no on-desk dongle
Very reasonably priced
Cons:
Occasional reception problems
Flashing blue light on USB receptor can be distracting
I've used this keyboard for about a month now, and am generally very pleased. I bought it largely because reviews I read compared it to a laptop keyboard or certain Apple keyboards, with a light-touch scissor-switch key mechanism. On that front, I am very happy. If you like the thin stroke of laptop keyboards, you should find this very satisfying. It's a world of difference from the wired keyboards that come with most PCs, and also from any wireless keyboard I've been able to find at a store. The keyboard is also impressively thin (it could easily be thrown in a suitcase for travel), and unlike many wireless keyboards, it does not use an on-desk receiver that runs from your USB port. You just plug a little device that looks like a flash drive into your USB port, and it catches the signal from there.
The only downside is that I've had some reception difficulties. Occasionally, it gets into a mode in which it misses some keys that I type and doubles up on others. I'm still experimenting, but I don't think the problem is range. I think the problem is signal interference, and I've noticed that having my cell phone next to the keyboard sometimes causes problems (but not always). In any case, the problem is fairly rare and easily noticeable. When the reception is fine, which is most of the time, you don't need to worry that it's omitting letters here and there when you're not looking at the screen. When problem-mode hits, it will be obvious.
Quick key functionality is limited, but generally sufficient. The function keys double as media keys, and they work with Windows Media Player and iTunes. You have to hold down the function button while you strike those keys, which is a bit awkward, but it does the job. (A function-lock key would be a world of improvement, but you don't get one here.) There are independent keys for volume control and muting, and these don't require the function button. There are no quick keys for internet favorites or windows explorer. I don't miss them. A couple of programmable quick keys would have been a great feature, but I'm glad they didn't overdo it and make the keyboard bigger.
Some reviewers have noted annoyance at the flashing blue light on the USB receiver. It is indeed bright and it flashes at every keystroke. I don't notice it during the day, but at night, it might bug you a bit. Using a rear USB port helps, and you might also be able to block it with black tape or a post-it note. One reviewer also noted that the keyboard has cheap construction. I understand the comment -- when you pick it up by the sides, it feels a tiny bit creaky -- but I think that reviewer was exaggerating quite a bit. It still feels solid to me.
All in all, I'm very satisfied with this keyboard. It works well and does everything I need without a lot of extras that just take up space, all for a very reasonable price (under $30 at this writing). If you prefer the laptop-style keyboard sensation, I don't think you'll find a better keyboard at this price.
| | I was hunting around for a plug-and-play monitor and wireless keyboard/mouse for a shared, cross-country, remote office so that I could use my netbook without going blind or getting tennis elbow during extended periods away from California. The only other options were either a secondary desktop or a full-size laptop (which is kind of a pain to lug around once you've had the "netbook experience").
The monitor was a no-brainer (Acer B203Wbdmr fit the bill nicely - I highly recommend it!), but the keyboard/mouse set-up was a tougher nut to crack. I went to the local electronics megastores and browsed through all of the wireless keyboard offerings from the usual suspects (Logitec, Microsoft, etc), but there was only one really slick, low profile keyboard/mouse combo that I saw from Logitec. Unfortunately, it was $180 - which is a lot to pay for a keyboard/mouse which you're only going to use for a couple of weeks a year. So I went home and started poking around on Amazon. I found this HP Elite set-up with a wireless mouse and it looked intriguing because it sported the same low profile and oversize keys as the Logitec unit I saw in the store for $180. One of the reviewers suggested purchasing the HP Elite Keyboard alone and passing on the offering with the bundled mouse (evidently he/she had issues with this component of the bundle). And that's what I did - and I couldn't be more pleased!
This keyboard is absolutely perfect! The short-stroke, oversize keys give it that "netbook/laptop" feel when you type. And the low profile is great for a desk or other flat surface where you don't have a keyboard tray or a wrist cushion to keep your hands from going "T-Rex" on you while trying to keep your fingers positioned above the keys. The thing is truly plug-and-play with a USB RF stick instead of one of those bulky peripheral transmitters that come with a lot of the other wireless I/O devices. Just pop the USB stick in and wait for your system to recognize it - and you're off and running!
For a mouse, I just picked-up one of the Microsoft Notebook 3000 wireless units for $20-25. I've used them since they were first introduced and they work great and are virtually indestructible. Just remember to remove the battery from the mouse if it isn't going to be in use for a while. Again, they use a USB RF stick and are plug-and-play. (NOTE: You will need 2 open USB ports on your machine or a USB hub to use both the HP Elite keyboard and the Microsoft mouse as separate components in the topology I'm advocating here).
As noted in one of the reviews for the HP Elite Keyboard/Mouse bundle, the LED on the USB stick is so bright that you could play a football game under it. So if your USB port is within your visual range where you intend to work, you might want to use a small piece of electrical tape to cover the LED 'hot spot' on the USB stick like I did. Not very elegant, but it works!
The only possible caution I would pose for those considering this wireless keyboard is its durability. While I don't intend to move mine very far from where it currently sits, there are those who like to travel with their wireless peripherals. This unit may or may not fit-the-bill for people in this category, as there are probably units on the market which have been torture tested to a greater degree. Time (and Amazon reviews) will tell...
Bottomline: AWESOME KEYBOARD - and at a really great price! I plan on buying 2 more when I get back to CA so that I can use them at home!
| | I ordered this keyboard looking for something with a minimal appearance. It definitely fits the bill. The keys have a good length of travel for the minuscule depth and are quiet, perhaps being good if I choose to implement my own "typing sounds" on the computer.
The spacing for the key surfaces were a little offsetting at first. Feeling like laptop keys I crunched my fingers together rather than letting them sprawl like a regular keyboard. The spacing for some keys like the Ctrl & Alt keys is something to get used to as there is a Fn key between then.
People complain about the blue led on the receiver. Yes it's silly, useless and distracting. Put a piece of electrical tape on it. Problem solved.
Ergonomically I think its advantageous as the reduced height means reduced upward angle on the wrists. Using a wrist pad with this keyboard would actually allow your fingers to down at an even more natural downward angle.
I plan on getting another one for my work.
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