Wireless keyboards grant a degree of freedom that other input devices lack. Benefits include portability, extreme range, and the ability to freely adjust positioning to achieve the best ergonomics.
But not all wireless keyboards are simple to set up. In this article, we’ll discuss the different kinds of wireless keyboards, and how to connect them to devices running various operating systems.
In 2021, there are two main types of wireless keyboard. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and compatibility will depend on the system in question.
Dongle: A keyboard that requires some kind of wireless receiver to be plugged in is often called a ‘dongle’ keyboard. These wireless dongles come in different form factors, but the most common kind is USB Type A.
The advantage of dongle keyboards is that they do not require a Bluetooth capable device. They can be paired to just about any device running Windows or MacOS that can accept the dongle. But with the price of good USB-A Bluetooth 4 and 5 adapters in the $7 to $10 range, one can argue that the keyboard quality remains the most important factor.
Bluetooth: A keyboard that uses Bluetooth 4 or 5 to interface with paired devices is simply called a Bluetooth keyboard. It requires no dongle, as long as the target device is already Bluetooth capable.
The advantage of Bluetooth keyboards is that they can be paired with anything that uses their protocol, including smaller devices that don’t have a USB-A port. The disadvantage is that Bluetooth keyboards tend to be slightly pricier than their dongle cousins. And of course, if the target device doesn’t have a Bluetooth adapter, that must be acquired separately.
For Bluetooth keyboards:
For dongle keyboards:
For Bluetooth Keyboards:
For dongle keyboards:
If for any reason the above steps do not work, standard computer troubleshooting is in order. Turn all of the relevant components off and on again. Unplug and replug any dongles in the same port, or try a new port. Reboot the systems being paired. Reinstall the drivers. Advanced troubleshooting can often be found on the manufacturer’s website, which should list common issues with their particular hardware and software implementations.
Most wireless keyboards are configured like any other input device. The drivers or custom software that came with the keyboard should give options for things like lighting, macros, key swapping, shortcut programming, and the like.
However, some keyboards are driverless and use a web based configurator. An example of this is a keyboard using WebHID. HID stands for Human Interface Devices such as mice, keyboards, touchscreens, and gamepads. In theory, all WebHID peripherals can be accessed and configured from the same internal webpage.
Some of the finest up and coming Bluetooth keyboards are being advertised as WebHID compatible. The Hakkei Riven is a good example of a keyboard that has a WebHID configurator. It will be able to record complex macros, with the intention of launching multiple programs (such as several components of an office suite, or a 3D modeller, graphics editor, and game physics engine) with the touch of a single button. And of course, it will be able to change the backlighting, record macros, and the like.
Generally speaking, connecting wireless keyboards has become a lot easier over the years. The protocols have slowly become more standardized, and the only variations popular at the moment are Bluetooth or a custom dongle that can accept multiple devices from the same vendor.
But some devices are more finicky than others, so having a step by step guide on hand can be helpful. Ultimately, it is the hope that more hardware goes the driverless route, using WebHID and a simple web browser to configure all appropriate interface devices.
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