Since my Shintaro wireless keyboard decided to go on the fritz, I needed a cheap replacement while the Shintaro goes off on its warranty journey.
The Rapoo RP-X1800 was $19, and I have to say I'm pretty impressed with it. They keys are a little squishy (as to be expected with a cheap keyboard), there is no caps lock LED (also common for wireless keyboards) and no off switch on the keyboard (there is one on the mouse).
But the wireless connectivity was flawless. Compared to the Shintaro, which was never quite right, the Rapoo just worked straight away with no key presses lost, and moving the mouse will wake the computer from screen saver, something the Shintaro trackball never did, to my annoyance. The wireless USB adapter isn't as small as a Logitech one, but is smaller than Shintaro's.
The biggest drawback for use as a HTPC input device is the separate mouse and keyboard parts, but I'd have no hesitation recommending the Rapoo X1800 as a solid budget wireless KB/mouse combo.
Update 14-Dec-2013:
After running with this combo for a while now, I have noticed occasional glitches when typing, usually trying to type something really fast. Isn't much of an issue (doing passwords is probably the most annoying), but I didn't notice this issue when I first started using the Rapoo so thought I'd update to mention it.
For me Logitech is still the best as far as quality of wireless connectivity goes.
Hi Ash,
ReplyDeleteI am feeling pretty stupid asking this, but where are the batteries for the keyboard? Or do you just throw it away when they eventually go flat. There is no charging access point either. I undid all the screws at the back (14) but was then scared about what might happen when I pried the front and the back apart, so didn't proceed.
Hello.
ReplyDeleteThere is a single AA battery hidden behind a plastic cover just above the Backspace key. You just need to prise the plastic cover off.
Thanks very much Ash. You are a legend. But now that you have pointed it out, it's pretty obvious...except for me :(
ReplyDeleteRegards - Steve
No problem. Glad to have helped.
Deleteusb adapter is broken.. What should i do?
ReplyDeleteIf it's faulty and still under warranty, you should be able to get a replacement. If you broke it I'm not sure, you don't seem to be able to buy them separately. You could maybe try Rapoo support, but given it's a cheap combo buying a replacement adapter may not be worth it.
Deletei have also own this combo set..but unfortunately my keyboard is not working at all but my mouse is working fine. i don't know what to do from now on. i have already pair it with the accessibility from rapoo website eventhough it is not even necessary. but given my condition of not having my keyboard connected to my laptop. im so depressed and don't know what to do.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried a fresh battery in the keyboard?
DeleteIf it's faulty, you should be able to return to place of purchase for an exchange. But how easy/difficult that is depends on where you are, as consumer protections vary between countries...
Hi guys, I've got the same keyboard mouse desk set, it's been a year and its getting less and less responsive, missing keys and clicks etc. This fault is intermittent. I've tried changing batteries multiple times which didn't really help it. Could it be the adaptor is spoilt? Has anyone got this issue as well? Is there a way to reset the connection with the adaptor or something? thanks!
ReplyDeleteCould be the adapter. Does it change with distance from the computer? I know mine gets a bit flaky when I have it sitting on my lap.
DeleteCould other (new?) 2.4GHz wireless devices be causing interference?
i don't think there's any new wireless devices that i have, yeah it does get worse when i move away from the receiver
ReplyDeleteWork with Android?
ReplyDelete