My couch is about 2-3 metres from the screen and I want cheap.

I have Logitech diNovo Mini currently - it's ok, but gets annoying now that I am using my media PC for a lot more browsing rather than TV/movie viewing.

i just got a logitech bundle from office works for like $70

is ok, cept spook jnr loves chewing on the mouse and it goes through batteries while hes walking around the house with it;

MCE + MCE remote.. no need for keyboard & mouse.

I am using my media PC for a lot more browsing rather than TV/movie viewing

Spook, how's the range on it? The range on my Logitech KB/Mouse on my desktop is only about a 1½m at most. I have MX700 Duo thingy.

the range is s***, but it works for us because we have the coffee table up against the tv low line bench to keep spook jnrs grubby little fingers off the sony

if you mess around with the receiver it covers probably 2, 2.5 meters to the couch

apparently bluetooth is the go, if you want range (although work mates are now telling me bluetooth can be s*** too)

i need mouse and keyboard, cant use remote, coz i like to surf on my tele and occasionally work out there

last edited by Spook at 14:43:18 10/Sep/09

Ok, that's what I was thinking. Bluetooth will be the way to go then, I'll check it out.

i have an mx5500, i love it.. it is a little extra (about 200ish...) and being bluetooth is definately the way to go.. i have a cheap s***ting microcrap one and as soon as you were higher or lower than the receiver the signal would drop out...

the keyboard is also nice to type on...

I got some cheapass USB keyboard + 3m usb extension lead for my media PC and stole the wireless mouse I was using on my laptop, some MS wireless lazer mouse thing. Cable > wireless

+1 for bluetooth
I have a logi diNovo and it works from one side of the house to the other without any problems.
I also have a bluetooth keyboard that has a pretty good range on it.

i have an mx5500, i love it.. it is a little extra (about 200ish...) and being bluetooth is definately the way to go.. i have a cheap s***ting microcrap one and as soon as you were higher or lower than the receiver the signal would drop out...

the keyboard is also nice to type on...

Ok, excellent ShOdDy, thanks a lot for the pro-tip. I was looking at this, can pick one up for $188+p/h from mwave.com.au or $199 from my local ( cpl.net.au ) - will go for this then.

I was going to suggest a DiNovo mini heh

/e-leaves this thread

There are some good looking MS combos /hides :D

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mediacenter/mediacenter.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/images/products/wed8k/mk_largerview_wed8k.jpg

last edited by mongie at 13:20:14 11/Sep/09

Its apple, but if you want small footprint you can't go past their bluetooth keyboard ($109):
http://apple.com/keyboard
http://images.appleinsider.com/apple-wireless-kb-review-27.jpg

I really like that kb exo. Pity it's not packaged as a PC desktop solution with a normal mouse (i.e., with a windows key and so on). Does the apple key work as a windows key? I could get used to that if it does.

Yeah, works just the same as a windows key, but its one step over. If you want I'm pretty sure there's programs you can get to remap the keys so the "option" key becomes windows, and "command" becomes alt.

Exo, would you suggest the mighty mouse with this? Is it any good as a mouse?

Its pretty good if you don't rely on the scroll-ball, it gets gunked easily. Also, you need to relearn how to rest your fingers on the mouse. If you wanna right-click you actually have to lift your index finger off the left side of the mouse, otherwise it registers as a left-click. After 18 months of using one, even now that I'm back to a regular logitech mouse, my index finger hovers up just before right-clicking.

But for a HTPC setup, I honestly can't think of a more diminutive keyboard and mouse pair which is wireless and reliable. You're not going to be doing all that much mousing anyway.

http://www.pcsuperstore.com.au/product-details.php?g_ProductID=13561

Now that i think of it, I've just ordered a popcorn hour c200, so I probably wouldn't need either :D

i f***ing hate keyboards that are bent like that ms one:

old mate at work has an ergonomic keyboard which is all raised up and in a V shape

wtf, how do you f***ing type on that thing!?

i guess it works, in that you get so frustrated trying to find the keys, you go take a break after 10 minutes all the time

Mighty mouse also has really s***, hard to press and unresponsive left and right buttons. The right click is also a pain in the ass.

The BT keyboard is absolute gold but as for the mighty mouse, I had mine for 3 days, hated it and took it back for a refund. Such a shame.

Le Cock, that looks good but if it's not BT it's not happening - I tried my Logitech Wireless MX Duo last night - can't handle the distance. My HTPC setup is a rear projector, so needs to get about 2.5-3m range.

Hey, I went for Logitech MX5500 desktop combo in the end and it's friggin perfect. Could do without the LCD, but whatever, it's really nice and sleek, keys have a really nice feel, mouse is tops. Cheers ShOdDy.

Also, you need to relearn how to rest your fingers on the mouse. If you wanna right-click you actually have to lift your index finger off the left side of the mouse, otherwise it registers as a left-click. After 18 months of using one, even now that I'm back to a regular logitech mouse, my index finger hovers up just before right-clicking.

Sounds like something I'd get used to pretty easily, I've found that while I'm just holding the mouse my index finger actually rests on my scroll wheel/middle button... wtf? Not sure how or why I got into that habit.

i f***ing hate keyboards that are bent like that ms one:

old mate at work has an ergonomic keyboard which is all raised up and in a V shape

wtf, how do you f***ing type on that thing!?

i guess it works, in that you get so frustrated trying to find the keys, you go take a break after 10 minutes all the time

I can't type on anything else after using one for years. At first they're a pain to get used to and if you're one of those two fingered typers then you're in for a world of pain but if you can touch type and you hold your hands in the normal place then they're piss easy to use.

As for trying to find the keys, what kind of keyboard do you usually use? DVORAK? The keys on an MS natural/ergo board are in pretty much exactly the same places as they are on a normal keyboard except there's a split in the middle.

last edited by whoop at 00:28:41 14/Sep/09

I have Logitech diNovo Mini currently

wanna sell it?

I have Logitech diNovo Mini currently

wanna sell it?

Yep, cheapest I found new is $164. Mine's in tops condition complete with the nice felt mat you get to sit it on and charger (but no box). I'll take a photo of what you get when I get home.

Yeah, it's not that diNovo Mini is useless - it's really good - but my Media PC habits have changed and I'm using it a lot for browsing and forums instead of my regular comp lately.

Hey really sorry about the terrible pic quality but my gf is galavanting around the globe atm and has the camera, so my phone had to do.

Make me an offer I can't refuse (*touches baseball bat, lovingly*).

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/2/dsc00100f.jpg