I’ll start out by making it really clear that I am personally not a fan of low-profile keyboards. I prefer a full-size ergonomic keyboard. My most recent post on this style of keyboard was Microsoft Skulpt Ergonomic Desktop Provides New Input Tools. While that is my personal preference, I know there are a lot of users who prefer something compact and low-profile.
I went on a search to find a low-profile keyboard with as much bang as possible for a reasonable number of bucks. The result is the Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400 with an included multi-touch touchpad shown above. If you don’t want black, it is also available in white. Before I get into the features, please note that it is available for under $30 at Amazon.
The keys are all low-profile and are quiet when pressed. On the right side of the keyboard, there is a multi-touch keypad instead of a numeric keypad. This might not work if you do a lot of numerical entry, but it much more useful for many users. In many ways, it is almost like having a laptop keyboard.
If you aren’t a big fan of wires, that’s great as the keyboard can be used wirelessly as far away as 10 meters (33 feet) from the computer. This would be perfect if you have your computer connected to a television and you are sitting on the couch and obviously works well if the computer is only a couple of feet away.
This is certainly not the keyboard I want to use for my daily writing, but I’ve gotten more excited about getting one to use occasionally with my laptop when heavy typing isn’t involved. It definitely wouldn’t be as hot on my lap as the laptop!
I have been using this keyboard for a while for my laptop connected to the TV, and it is not bad at all (especially considering the price).
The distance between the sofa and the laptop, which is hidden in a drawer, is around three meters and there is usually no problem with the connection.
Only thing that I find a bit annoying is that the touchpad is way too sensitive to clicks. I often click by accident while dragging and strange things happens. It can easily be disabled via a shortcut key but the next time you start the keyboard, it is activated again.
/Ronny Axelsson