Hello,
I have been watching this forum for almost a year but just registered today. I read lots of posts on this forum. I know there are many choices on car computers and monitors. But for the input device, I feel little different.
- Use on screen keyboard if you have a touch screen.
- Use a regular keyboard (maybe size is smaller, 84 keys?) and mouse, or keyboard with touchpad/tracking ball.
- Maybe mini keyboard from PS3? I really like the Microsoft chatpad but that thing cannot be used on PC at present.
I saw some people tried to hack the MS chatpad without luck. And I also don’t know when Microsoft gonna make it work with PC. So I was wondering instead of waiting, maybe I can make one. So I contacted some manufacture to see if it is possible to make a mini wireless PC keyboard.
Before sending my money to them, I would like to hear more suggestions and ideas from folks in this forum. The reason? Because we are the most experienced car PC user and producer.
Here is what I want to know from you guys.
1. I don’t know what you guys think, but I don’t like to use a mouse in cars, it is pain. So the keyboard must have sort of cursor control, such as a joystick or tracking ball? Do you want to add this function to the keyboard, or you’d rather to use mouse?
2. Wired or wireless? I guess most of us will pick wireless. If it is wireless, RF or Bluetooth? RF is cheaper than BT but will use an extra use port.
3. Keyboard size.
4. Besides basic keys (0-9, A-z), what function key you want? I prefer has a dedicate shift key, backspace, space, esc. I also like to have several spare keys, make them programmable.
5. Backlight?
6. For the key, made of silicon, rubber or something like MS chatpad? Did I mention I like it?
7. For a keyboard has all features listed above, how much you’d like to pay? How long can you wait if no new products on the market? 3 months? 6 month?
8. List anything you want if it is not mentioned above.
When I was talking to the technician from the manufacture, I asked if it is possible to make an adapter for the chatpad so it can be used on both PC and Xbox. I was told it is possible but need a lot of effort, and it takes longer. So if there are many people want this function, it can be another option.
Any suggestions, ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
If I made any mistake on spelling or grammar, I apologize. Forgive me please, I am not native English speaker.
Wireless keyboard, but with a rechargable option. I hate having to replace batteries. They always die at the most inopportune times. I am imagining something with a USB port. THe port can be used for charging it, and also is a data hub, so it can be wired. If wireless, you could use the wireless USB standard and then only use 1 chip compared to 2 chips for RF and USB... 
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