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Intel Mac mini Q&A - Published August 10, 2009
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What is a good wireless keyboard with a trackpad to use with a Mac mini while sitting on the couch?
For Mac mini users who have setup their Mac as a "media center" connected to a television, there are times when the Apple Remote does not provide all the needed functionality and it can be awkward to hold an Apple Wireless Keyboard in one's lap and precariously balance a separate wireless mouse on a sofa arm rest or reach up to a nearby end table to move a mouse.
Although Apple does not directly address the keyboard needs of the "couch surfer", third-parties have come to the rescue. Several wireless keyboards with built-in trackpads are available, and ones that are not specifically listed as Mac compatible may work to some extent, but buttons on these keyboards designed for Windows may or may not work.
A keyboard for non-desk use is decidedly a "luxury item" -- and "good" is a subjective term -- but it seems that most willing to purchase a wireless keyboard with a built-in trackpad exclusively for use in front of the television will be interested in paying a premium for an ideal product.
Keeping that in mind, two wireless keyboards with built-in trackpads guaranteed to work completely with Macs include the Adesso SlimTouch Wireless Mini Touchpad Keyboard and the Logitech diNovo Edge Mac Edition.
Photo Credit: Adesso (Top Left) & Logitech (Bottom Right) - Not to Scale
Nether the Adesso nor the Logitech product are particularly cheap -- they retail for US$129.99 and US$159.99, respectively -- but each generally are well-regarded and can make the "couch surfing" experience far more pleasant.
ArsTechnica has a review of the Adesso product and MacWorld has a review of the Logitech product that you may wish to read for opinions regarding both in real-world use.
Site sponsor OWC sells a wide variety of keyboards.
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