# Universal Receiver for Keyboard/Mouse/Gamepad? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 17, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098 "2013-11-17T01:39:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/1 "2013-11-17T01:39:44Z")
Is there a such thing as a universal receiver for a wireless keyboard and mouse? I have a Microsoft Keyboard, and a Logitech mouse, and it would be nice to have just 1 USB receiver for the two. Could I somehow also add my PowerA wireless USB pad? Additionally, it would be nice to have 2 of those receivers so I can switch between my laptop and my desktop seamlessly. And finally, is there any reliable/cheap method for wirelessly transmitting HD audio/video? Thanks Dope Dopers! ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/2 "2013-11-17T02:13:10Z")
If you had a M$ keyboard AND mouse, I don’t think you’d have much problem. Or if you had a Logitech keyboard AND mouse. But I don’t think crossing brands is going to happen. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/3 "2013-11-17T02:41:35Z")
Not for existing equipment, no, no way to do so. If you were starting anew, if you made sure your gamepad, keyboard, and mouse were all bluetooth based, you could use a single bluetooth receiver on your computer, and your laptop might already have it built in. IE if you bought all these, they could be made to work together: > **[Amazon.com: OMOTON Wireless Keyboard, Ultra-Slim Computer Keyboard, Portable and...](https://www.amazon.com/OMOTON-Ultra-Slim-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Android/dp/B00H09P85G)** > > Buy OMOTON Wireless Keyboard, Ultra-Slim Computer Keyboard, Portable and Quiet, 2.4G Compact Wireless Keyboard for Windows Laptop, Computer, Desktop, Tablet and PC: Keyboards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases [http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Bluetooth-Notebook-Mouse-5000/dp/B008TYJC9E/ref=sr\_1\_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655912&sr=1-4&keywords=bluetooth+mouse](http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Bluetooth-Notebook-Mouse-5000/dp/B008TYJC9E/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655912&sr=1-4&keywords=bluetooth+mouse) [http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Bluetooth-Turbo-Gamepad-Playstation/dp/B00821ME4O/ref=sr\_1\_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655945&sr=1-6&keywords=bluetooth+gamepad](http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Bluetooth-Turbo-Gamepad-Playstation/dp/B00821ME4O/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655945&sr=1-6&keywords=bluetooth+gamepad) [http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Bluetooth-Adapter-Windows-Compatible/dp/B009ZIILLI/ref=sr\_1\_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384656077&sr=1-8&keywords=bluetooth+adapter](http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Bluetooth-Adapter-Windows-Compatible/dp/B009ZIILLI/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384656077&sr=1-8&keywords=bluetooth+adapter) ---
**Author:** ![AnthonyElite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/4 "2013-11-17T03:55:47Z")
> [@jacobsta811](#): > > Not for existing equipment, no, no way to do so. If you were starting anew, if you made sure your gamepad, keyboard, and mouse were all bluetooth based, you could use a single bluetooth receiver on your computer, and your laptop might already have it built in. > > IE if you bought all these, they could be made to work together: > [Amazon.com: Amazon Basics Bluetooth Keyboard for Android Devices, Kindle, Kindle Fire - Black : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Bluetooth-Keyboard-iPhone-Black/dp/B005EOWBKE) > [Amazon.com: Microsoft Bluetooth Notebook Mouse 5000 for Business : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Bluetooth-Notebook-Mouse-5000/dp/B008TYJC9E/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655912&sr=1-4&keywords=bluetooth+mouse) > [Amazon.com: Monoprice Pro Bluetooth LED Turbo Gamepad for Playstation 3 and PC - Black : Video Games](http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Bluetooth-Turbo-Gamepad-Playstation/dp/B00821ME4O/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384655945&sr=1-6&keywords=bluetooth+gamepad) > [Amazon.com: Plugable USB Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy Micro Adapter (Compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.x, 7, Classic Bluetooth, Gamepad, and Stereo Headset Compatible) : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Bluetooth-Adapter-Windows-Compatible/dp/B009ZIILLI/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1384656077&sr=1-8&keywords=bluetooth+adapter) Very interesting - so any bluetooth device should, in theory, work with a bluetooth receiver on the computer? What is the upper limit to the number of connections? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/5 "2013-11-17T08:35:50Z")
[Up to 7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth#Communication_and_connection) in theory, but real-world bandwidth issues might cause issues before you actually reach that. Keep in mind that Bluetooth operates at 2.4 GHz, an unlicensed part of the spectrum shared by WiFi, microwave ovens, cordless telephones, light controls, other wireless devices, and so on… and so it’s hard to get a perfectly clean wireless signal unless you’re in a secluded area. Bluetooth also just doesn’t have much power to begin with, so the range and reliability can be significantly decreased versus those special wireless dongles you have that don’t have to adhere to Bluetooth’s standardized limits. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/6 "2013-11-17T13:31:55Z")
Right, although Bluetooth is going to have enough range to use a keyboard/mouse/gamepad right in front of your computer, or on the sofa in front of your TV (the PS3 uses bluetooth controllers & headsets, for example). ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/7 "2013-11-17T14:34:26Z")
Just for clarification (and further information), since this is GQ. Bluetooth has various power classes. According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth): > [@](#): > > Connecting two Class 1 devices with both high sensitivity and high power can allow ranges far in excess of the typical 100m, depending on the throughput required by the application. Most people reading this won’t be doing that. Your keyboard and mouse are probably class 2. (I started writing Bluetooth stacks back when the spec was at 0.88, if I recall correctly. Been a while since I touched it at that level, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-receiver-for-keyboard-mouse-gamepad/674098/8 "2013-11-17T19:18:23Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Just for clarification (and further information), since this is GQ. Bluetooth has various power classes. According to [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth): > Most people reading this won’t be doing that. Your keyboard and mouse are probably class 2. > (I started writing Bluetooth stacks back when the spec was at 0.88, if I recall correctly. Been a while since I touched it at that level, though.) Are these classes software-modifiable? I mean if I wanted my keyboard to function from further away, can I just change a setting somewhere, or…?