Wireless keyboard: the subtleties of choice

In our time, wireless interfaces do not surprise anyone. Initially used mainly in mobile equipment, they gradually regained their place under the sun and in the environment of conventional computers. Wireless LANs, wireless headsets, wireless mice and keyboards ... That's about the latter we'll now talk.

The wireless keyboard, in essence, is not much different from the usual (wired), at least externally. Manufacturers are trying to maximize the unification and size of devices, and the location of keys and additional controls. Therefore, most of what you can write about the choice of a wireless keyboard, applies to conventional devices.

One of the main characteristics of this type of device is the type of wireless interface with which the wireless keyboard is connected to the computer. The options here can be two: an infrared radio module and Bluetooth. The third option - Wi-Fi - has not yet been seen in serial products, although such a wireless keyboard was announced by Hewlett-Packard in late 2011. The main advantage of an infrared radomodule is its low cost of implementation. All budget devices are equipped with just such a wireless interface. Of the disadvantages - extremely short range (1-2 meters, no more) and the need for direct visibility between the keyboard and the receiver. The wireless keyboard, equipped with a Bluetooth module, has no shortcomings - a theoretical range of 25-30 meters and a practical over 10 meters should be enough for any user. But she has a minus - a high price.

Recently, more and more often you can find such a thing as a gaming wireless keyboard. A few years ago, the segment of gaming input devices was completely occupied by wired devices. And if the wired mouse is not yet giving up its positions, the game keyboards are increasingly becoming wireless. Such devices differ from usual colleagues in the highlighted color by the keys often used in games (for example, A, S, W and D) or in general the presence of a separate "game" unit, as well as a more tight key stroke compared to the standard device. Collecting the whole day texts on such a device will be uncomfortable, but to play around - please.

Before connecting the wireless keyboard to the computer, be concerned about the power supply of the newly acquired device. The options can be two - standard batteries / batteries AA or AAA size, or the "native" battery. The last option is good because it does not involve additional spending on batteries, but its disadvantage is that when the battery is out of order it will be problematic to replace it. If the device uses standard batteries or batteries, they can be purchased at any kiosk or store. Usually, 2 or 4 batteries are used to power the device. The operating time from one set of batteries, as a rule, is indicated by all manufacturers, but it is necessary to treat it with care. Usually one set is enough for several weeks of not the most intense work.

With the connection of the wireless keyboard itself to the computer, as a rule, problems do not arise. Devices that do not have any unique capabilities and have minimal functionality do not even require the installation of drivers or additional software. The devices are more complicated and more functional for revealing their full potential, they will require a small waste of time, but installing the "native" software will not present problems even for an inexperienced user. Manufacturers understand very well that by creating an unnecessarily complex software, they risk discouraging some potential buyers, and deliberately try to simplify both the installation and operation of their products.

Multimedia capabilities of wireless keyboards are generally similar to those of wired devices. There are a lot of devices on the market, in which only a minimum of multimedia and additional keys are present, but there are also models that can provide the most demanding user's requests. A special glamor is a wireless keyboard with a touchpad. Such devices are in the assortment of many manufacturers (Logitech, Rapoo, OKlick and others). The difference from the usual keyboard is that, usually on the right, the keyboard has a small touchpad, similar to those that are placed on laptops. In addition to it, several auxiliary buttons can go. Because Similar devices are related to the middle and upper price range, manufacturers equip them with wireless Bluetooth modules, which provides a large radio communication radius. Due to this combination of characteristics, the buyer receives, in fact, the equivalent of a set of "keyboard + mouse". By connecting the keyboard to the touchpad to, for example, your laptop and the laptop to your home theater, you can control playback from the other side of the room. Convenient, is not it?