Recommendations for Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (< $100)

John Kimble on 27/09/2017 - 16:24
Last edited 27/09/2017 - 16:37

Hi All,

Short Version
Can anyone recommend a good performing full sized silent "laptop like" keyboard and wireless mouse for less than $100 (preferably less than $50)?

Long Version
My dear wife has expressed her dissatisfaction with her basic work issued wired keyboard and mouse. She wants:
• a keyboard that has silent chiclet keys (much like her > 5 year old MBP)
• wireless (not BT as her laptop doesn't have BT) so she can take them to meetings (this could just be the mouse though, don't see why you would take the full sized keyboard???)
• no specific requirements for the mouse I suppose, just decent build quality and battery life

I don't fancy spending more than $100 for both in principle (and it doesn't have to be a combo if buying separately helps), plus I fear someone at her work might nick them (I know she could theoretically lock them in her drawer every arvo, but I doubt she would bother).

I have googled "silent wireless chiclet keyboard and mouse" and have found a few hits from the main players (e.g. Logitech, Microsoft, HP), but most have got very mixed reviews which makes me question if I should purchase. I also went into OW, JB HiFi and the Microsoft stores in Sydney CBD, but most are all in their sealed boxes so it is not possible to "test drive" them either.

I did see this previous thread which was a little similar but didn't help too much: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329004

Thanks in advance,
DJK

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

scrimshaw on 27/09/2017 - 16:31

+1

the correct search term would be low profile "scissor switch" keyboard.

This might be of use.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/3nw7ek…

I'm thinking K800 or K740

For under $55 you could try out the Microsoft All-in-One Media Keyboard but it's tenkeyless and has a touchpad instead. More for home use than office use.
aaraggornn on 27/09/2017 - 17:00

+1

The Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard/mouse combo meets your requirements of near silent chiclet keys and wireless (has a small adapter that plugs into USB).
The keyboard and mouse are shaped differently to normal ones though (since they are "ergonomic"). I'm using the keyboard right now and don't have any issues with it though use a different mouse. The keyboard also has the number pad separate instead of part of the keyboard itself.
It's more than $100 though (normally $128 at Officeworks) but goes on sale under that occasionally.

Officeworks
ESEMCE on 27/09/2017 - 20:13

her laptop doesn't have BT?
How old is the laptop?
I reckon any laptop less than 5 years is guaranteed to have BT and any mid-high end laptop 5-10 years old highly likely to have it.
Persoanlly I prefer BT keyboard and mouse cause anything else requires a dongle sticking out the side of the machine and taking up (often very limited) a USB port.
- John Kimble on 28/09/2017 - 06:27
  
  It's a deadset dinosaur laptop (it's got a VGA port!). Probably weighs over 5kgs…next time she manages to lug it home I will get the model number!
  - ESEMCE on 28/09/2017 - 10:36
    
    My 2015 model Lenovo x240 has a VGA port, but it also has BT…
    Business spec laptops held on to VGA due to needing to plug into legacy projectors. The subsequent x260 model dropped it for HDMI, but I dare say it's still an option!
    - John Kimble on 28/09/2017 - 10:43
      
      Hmm OK, will double check it, just in case, thanks!
    - John Kimble on 30/09/2017 - 07:13
      
      +1
      
      HP EliteBook 8460p
      
      I stand corrected!
      
      You won't find consumer-minded ports such as HDMI on this laptop, but you do get USB 3.0 and eSATA, as well as Gigabit Ethernet, an SD card slot, FireWire, an ExpressCard/54 expansion slot and a smartcard reader; it even includes golden oldies such as a 56Kbps modem and a VGA port. You also get a DVD burner, although this can be replaced with a second hard drive or a weight saver.
      
      Other features include Bluetooth, a dual-band Wi-Fi module (Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN) and an integrated 3G modem and SIM card reader (HP HS2340 HSPA). Its dual-band Wi-Fi worked like a treat during our tests, as did its 3G modem. We were able to use our iiNet SIM card, which runs on the Optus network, without any problems at all. After we plugged in the card, the Optus APN (access point name) appeared in Windows 7's wireless network list. HP supplies its own HP Connection Manager software, which allows you to see exactly how much data is going up and down via the mobile broadband connection, and it also allows you to send and receive SMS from the laptop.
    - ESEMCE on 30/09/2017 - 16:25
      
      @John Kimble:
      
      Bluetooth Mouse wise, I have been using TECKNET mice… No Name brand, but decent quality and good battery life.
      
      I picked up the JB Hi-Fi Bluetooth keyboard deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329598 last week (maybe the week before) which might meet the keyboard requirements.
Suspect420 on 21/10/2017 - 10:32

Simply put… work should provide this to your wife

Is it a tool necessary for her job? Time to request an upgrade.

Seek the IT department
- John Kimble on 21/10/2017 - 11:21
  
  They don't even provide coffee, cutlery, stationery (like notepads) or fruit any more.
  
  She has the basic keyboard and mouse that came with the workstation. I think it should be fine, but she feels like it slows her typing down.
  
  They certainly wouldn't pay for a fancy keyboard and mouse for one staff member.
  - Suspect420 on 21/10/2017 - 14:31
    
    Then she should start looking to move on.
    
    Why worry about speed of typing if they wont offer it to you?
    
    Legally they must provide you with ergonomically safe keyboards, mouse, chair etc.
    
    If they are not willing to provide a $60 logitech BT mouth and keyboard, coffee and STATIONARY then it most certainly is time to move on.

Recommendations for Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (< $100)

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