One of the advantages of having my computer in our living room is that I can connect it to our TV.  This setup works great for streaming movies, but I didn’t have a wireless keyboard and mouse that would allow me to control the computer from couch.

Enter the Lenovo Mini Wireless Keyboard.

This mini-controller is an all-in-one wireless device, allowing full keyboard and mouse control of any computer (and a few other devices — more on that later) with a USB port.

The device is designed primarily for Windows PCs and is equipped with Windows-specific keys, such as a Windows Key and a single key that sends a CTRL-ALT-DELETE signal (very handy).

The ergonomic design of the keyboard feels nice in the hands.  The back of the unit is coated with a matte, slightly grippy finish that doesn’t show fingerprints.  The keyboard keys also have a matte finish, but the trackball/mouse button area is glossy and will be covered with fingerprints within a few seconds of use; not a huge detractor, but worth mentioning.

Setting up the keyboard is a cinch.  Opening the battery compartment of the keyboard reveals space for two AA batteries (included) and a storage space for the wireless receiver/dongle.

When you connect the USB receiver, the computer auto-detects the device as a standard keyboard.  Flipping the ON/OFF switch on the back of the unit allows it to communicate with the receiver.   I saw no perceivable lag in my tests.  Both the trackball-mouse and the keyboard were very responsive.

The product packaging lists the device’s wireless range at 10 meters.  I can honestly say that if anything, this is a safe estimation.  I was able to control my computer from 30 feet away with no apparent signal loss, even in a busy office with lots of other electronics around.  The keyboard’s range should be enough for most living rooms.

As I mentioned earlier, the keyboard contains a few Windows-specific keys (the large orange button at the top of the keyboard is the opens Windows Explorer to the “My Computer” window), but also has some general multimedia keys as well.  From left-to-right across the top of the keyboard are:

My Computer – Volume Up – Volume Down – Mute – Previous Track – Stop – Play/Pause – Next Track

These buttons should work with most media applications including Windows Media Player, VLC, iTunes, etc.

Most of the keyboard keys have a secondary fuction (printed on the key in orange) that can be accessed by holding down the orange “Fn” button and pressing the appropriate key (similar to the Fn key of many laptops).

Typing on this keyboard will be second nature to anyone who is familiar with QWERTY keyboard on Blackberry’s and other smart phones.  The keys are small and close together, but the convex surfaces help to prevent “fat fingering” multiple keys at once.

It is worth noting that while the keyboard layout clearly favors Windows PCs, I was able to use the Lenovo Mini Keyboard to control a Playstation 3 with no problems.  The trackball allowed me to navigate easily through the PS3′s Cross Media Bar menu (the keyboard arrow keys also worked), and the ESC mimicked the PS3 controller’s Circle (back) button.

I have not tried the keyboard with the XBox 360, but there’s no reason to think it wouldn’t work.   Battery life is also an unknown at this point; the higher-than-average range of this device may indicate that it requires more power than a standard wireless keyboard, but that’s not a given.

Overall, I’m happy with the Lenovo Mini Wireless Keyboard.   It’s a great solution for controlling a PC from across a room, and easily has 3 times the range of most full-sized wireless keyboards and mice.

For a few more photos, click the image below to visit my Flickr gallery.

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