I’ve been looking for a normal full-size keyboard that can connect through Bluetooth. By “normal” and “full-size”, I mean a keyboard just like a standard desktop keyboard. Same size and layout, with standard, full-size keys. So far this is all I can find:
Standard, full-size, wireless desktop keyboards. No Bluetooth.
Nearly full-size (that may even claim to be “full-size”) Bluetooth keyboards. But they’re missing the section of keys between the main key area and the numpad. The Arrow keys are shoved over with the rest of the keys, and the space bar and other keys made smaller to compensate.
Full size Bluetooth keyboards with a full set of keys, in the right place. But with those flat “chiclets” keys.
I’m starting to think it doesn’t exist. But my Google-Fu hasn’t really kept up with Google’s algorithm changes, and I’ve never been able to get decent search results out of Amazon. So I’m hoping maybe someone knows of something I couldn’t find.
While there’s no shortage of wireless keyboards (and mice), they all seem to have centered on the unique wireless system developed and used for that purpose alone. None of them appear to use Bluetooth-qua-Bluetooth, probably as much for licensing reasons as anything else. (That is, the no-name short-range wireless chip set is much cheaper.)
Bluetooth seems to be reserved for the phone, tablet and tiny laptop market where it’s a major and universal feature - so the products are correspondingly teeny, light and trendy.
Yeah, that’s what I was afraid of. I thought I was on to something when I found a Linux program for emulating a Bluetooth keyboard. But it didn’t seem to work. It was last updated in 2012, so it might be out of date to the protocol.
I’m looking at hardware converters now, but the from reviews they sound like they may be a bit flaky. Might have to bite the bullet and get one of those nearly full-sized ones.
I understand why most Bluetooth keyboard a small, they’re generally used with portable devices. And I understand why most full sized keyboards don’t use Bluetooth. Besides being cheaper, since the computer recognizes it as a standard keyboard, it works in the bios and any OS.
What don’t really get though, is these “nearly” full-size keyboards, listed as “full-size”. They’re too big to be reasonably be portable, and if someone is specifically looking for a full-size keyboard, they’re probably not looking for something portable anyway. It’s like they made an entirely new keyboard mold, just to make their product an little less usable for their intended market.
Then there’s the boards that actually are full-size, but all use those chiclet keys, for seemingly no other reason than the fact they happen to use Bluetooth for their wireless protocol. Which really doesn’t make any sense to me.
I have a dual monitor set-up. I use the second monitor for VNC and virtual machines, both are on the same computer but I have a separate keyboard and mouse for each. I wanted a setup, where I can connect my Galaxy Note 4 and bring it up on my second monitor, and use it with a the full mouse and keyboard (hopefully while also charging the phone).
I do this already for connecting full-size computers, using a video capture device and a usb switch. For the Note 4 I got an MHL hub with a USB and HDMI port, and tried connecting the same way. I had to send the HDMI through a splitter that strips the HDCP, but other than that, it worked fine. The USB, however, just doesn’t work, no matter what I try. It doesn’t even send power to the device. I think it’s something that was broken (probably intentionally) in a software update, since according to Youtube videos, the Note 2 dock (one of the two MHL hubs I tried) at least worked at one time. But until the AT&T Note 4 is rootable, there’s not much I can do about that.
I already have a Bluetooth adapter for my PC, so I figured I could keep the HDMI connected through the MHL, and and switch to Bluetooth mouse and keyboard for my second monitor. But my big stupid hands don’t do small keyboards, and chiclet keys are terrible.
An OTG adapter would probably work, but since the USB and HDMI are no longer separate jacks, without USB support on MHL, it’s either one or the other. I suppose I could try something like chromecast to free up the USB, but sending all video over wifi seems like it would be a bit laggy, and at this point I’m not really looking to spend any more money on something that probably isn’t going to work that well.
Actually, having now typed all that out, I’m strongly considering the third option of just letting the whole thing go.
Sometime ago I was Microcenter in Denver looking at blue tooth keyboards. I was looking for smallish ones for use with a tablet and I had a budget. Browsing the keyboard aisle I noticed a full sized keyboard which would have suited my purpose except being too big and quite a bit out of my budget (I think it was ~$130, or so). You might browse their site if you don’t live in one of the 3 or 4 communities where there is a store.
Thanks, but that keyboard doesn’t have the full key layout of a standard desktop keyboard, and also uses flat chiclet keys. I looked around that site, and I did find a full layout Bluetooth keyboard, but it also has flat keys.
I know I’m probably being excessively picky here, but I mostly just made this thread to see if I was missing something obvious. It really seems like it should exist. I just can’t wrap my head around why the shape of the keys on an already full-size keyboard would be determined by the wireless protocol used.
I looked a little more though, and it turns out, physically, what I’m looking for does exist. A full 108-key, standard layout, Bluetooth keyboard, with normal keys (even says “normal keys” in the listing title)… Mac only.
So, yeah, I think I’ll just let it go for a while. Later I might try messing with the Bluetooth emulator program to see if I can get it to work. Then I’ll probably give in and buy a near full-size keyboard.
emcee2Kthisis a FULL Size keyboard with 104 Keys + 12 Function keys
You may not like the design - but a full keyboard it is
A MS Windows Standard US layout Keyboard has 104 keys - look here
If a Mac has other keys - like the “eject CD” key - its only relevant for MAC PC’s and doesn’t mean its a FULL Keyboard for a Windows PC or Android or that you are missing keys in an Windows PC or Android environment.
That’s the one I was reference in my second sentence. I wasn’t saying there are no full-size Bluetooth keyboards, I’ve found tons of them, just none with non-flat keys.
But turns out…
I thought maybe to find a full layout, I had to specify the key count for a standard layout which for some reason I had in my head as 108. Which would explain why I only found a mac keyboard.
But I just searched for 104 key Bluetooth keyboard:
I’ve been using a Logitech MX5500 keyboard/mouse combo for years now. I like 'em so much that I’ve bought multiple sets, for home and work. They’re bluetooth; uses their own proprietary dongle, but you can force 'em to use generic bluetooth (I’ve also used it with an iPad and a PS3).
The only problem is that they don’t make them anymore, so I snap 'em up whenever I find them. I haven’t seen them at an affordable price lately, though.
I really wish they still made them. I’ve already had one go out on me, so now I’m down to just two.
I have this Mac Keyboard and have been using it for going on near ten years now (although I recently replaced it with the same model after one of the keys went dead on me, since I don’t like the newer chiclet style keys, and I like my number pad.) That’s full sized with normal keys and uses Bluetooth. Another link for it here.
I’m using that Dell Bluetooth keyboard right now, and have ever since I bought it w/my old system back in 2007. It’s awesome. If it weren’t for the shoddy way I treat it, I’d have no problems whatsoever.
Okay, it’s true that it eats batteries like they’re popcorn. And every now and then it does have to reconnect so there’s a bit of a pause while it syncs up or whatever you call it with the mothership–which is not that old Dell but a build from, uh, 2012 I think. (I don’t replace things that work well for me, as you can see.)
Glad someone found the keyboard as the only keys it’s missing are those I lost because I’m a klutz and over the last eight years I’ve dropped the keyboard a few times. So the Escape key is a little, um, wonky. Also I lost the volume knob.
(Looking on ebay I see that someone actually sells the knobs for this thing, so I guess a lot of people have lost them… and… somehow this seller ended up with them all. Must be a big black market!)
But those flaws are my fault, not the keyboard’s. I say give it a chance, if you can get it for sale. There are a few used on ebay, and one or two new ones elsewhere, albeit for a hefty price. I’m about to enter bidding for one so we might end up competitors.
Wow. Big thanks to everyone for your replies. It now looks like I actually have multiple options.
I was leaning towards that Dell, so it’s good to get a first hand review from some one who has own one for years. But, I really like the looks of that Logitech, and it looks like they’re going pretty reasonable used on eBay (wow, 800 bucks new on Amazon).
I’m also seeing another Dell on eBay, that may be a good option. The arrow keys are in a weird place, with a trackpad where they would be. It seems a bit odd, since I can’t think of a situation where I’d have room for that keyboard but not a mouse. Doesn’t look like it’d be a hindrance though.
There seems like a whole underground market for these things. Strange everyone decided to stop making them at once.
Once again, thanks to everyone. I went from accepting they just didn’t exist, to having selection to choose from.
Funny how these niche products acquire a fanatical following and end up forming a gray market of their own. I really can’t imagine why, with all the endless choices driven essentially by style, there isn’t at least one full-size BT keyboard/mouse combo.
But then, I chase wired Logitech thumb-trackballs the same way. Can still buy the wireless ones, that have all the fun connect and response problems of every other wireless input device, but they discontinued the wired one. I buy backups whenever I win a reasonable bid on eBay, but good ones are past $50 and NIB has sold for $200 and more.
emcee2k, I just spotted this I-Rocks Bluetooth keyboard, which has relatively good reviews (average reviews on Amazon is 3.5).
If you can get the Logitech I’d definitely go for a well-known brand over… whatever I-Rocks is… but at least this one’s available in a pinch, and at $34, the price is good for what appears to be a rare find.
Oh hey!! Here’s a Kensington full-size Bluetooth with very good reviews. Pricier at $50 but might be worth it. (Only 1 left in stock–hurry! Although they sell it at Staples for $55 so that’s an alternative.)
Unfortunately, both of those options, while full-size, also have flat “chiclet” keys. Which I could deal with if I had to, but I mainly made this thread to see if I really had to.
I intend on buying the Logitech one when I see a good price. I’m kicking myself since I saw a really good price when I first looked on eBay. I intended on bidding on it, but, being in the process of recovering from surgery, I instead just slept for two days.
