Wireless USB keyoard & mouse with tablets?

[Thierry.C]

Hello,

Are tablets with USB port able to host wireless keyboard and mouse?
If yes, are there particular conditions for them to be functional?

I own a mouse and a keyboard with the Logitech's Unifying technology, which allows connecting up to 6 Unifying wireless devices with only one USB micro-receiver.

Hence, this information would be decisive to choose from potential tablets: i.e., USB-host availability, driver for devices, or need for an optional keyboard (e.g., ASUS Transformer or Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet).

Thanks in advance,
Thierry

[rwizard]

I do not have a tablet, but I do own a new Logitech wireless keyboard and trackball. It appears that a special driver is required to use both with just one receiver. Unfortunately, I do not think you will be able to do this any time soon unless Logitech makes a driver for Android.

[Thierry.C]

Thanks for your answer.

Originally Posted by rwizard

It appears that a special driver is required to use both with just one receiver.

Yes I know, but it is plug-and-play. The SetPoint device is not necessary. Moreover, I know that it is working under Linux, even if in order to couple several device on the receiver, one has to launch the software once on Windows.
So it may be possible that it works under Android, too (since it's Linux-based).

Besides, it would be a first good piece of news if anyone can inform that it works with a single keyboard, or a single mouse (whether Logitech or not).

Thanks in advance for your experience.

[rwizard]

Well, I still do not have a definitive answer for you, but I suspect it would work if all you have to do is "pair" the devices to the receiver ahead of time for OS's that do not have the special driver.

Good luck, hope you get a more specific answer.

[FatDog]

My wife bought me a wireless mouse and keyboard for my laptop.

I plugged it into my Viewsonic tablet and some of the keys would work for typing but when I hit the "E" key - it would switch to some other app. I am not sure if this is the keyboards fault or "Shortcuts" on my tablet trying to be over-helpful.

Amazon has a Logitech keyboard and stand for $61 for Android 3.0 but I have not tried it yet.

[Thierry.C]

Thanks for the information.

Originally Posted by FatDog

Amazon has a Logitech keyboard and stand for $61 for Android 3.0 but I have not tried it yet.

Yes I know, but I would highly prefer not to duplicate devices if not necessary.
Is your Viewsonic tablet running Android 2.x or 3.x?

[jschall]

Originally Posted by Thierry.C

Are tablets with USB port able to host wireless keyboard and mouse?
If yes, are there particular conditions for them to be functional?

I have tried two wireless mouse/keyboards with my Archos 5 tablet. Both worked fine, but the Archos needed a special battery dock to provide the USB Host functionality. There is a USB port on the Archos, but it only works as a USB CLIENT - i.e. it only acts as a drive when attached to a host PC.

Most more recent tablets include a USB port with the Host function, so you should be fine.

There are wireless keyboard/mousepads that connect via proprietary radio protocols, like my RII Mini . They do not require any special pairing procedure, but use a special code so the keyboard can find the USB dongle.

Then there are others that use the Bluetooth standard protocol, like my Logitech diNovo Mini

It is a bit of a PITA to get the diNovo to pair directly with my Archos' built-in Bluetooth receiver, but I finally got it working. On the other hand, using the Dinovo dongle rather than the Archos receiver works without any hassle.

In concluson, Thierry, you should have no problem using your Logitech keyboard and mouse with any tablet possessing a USB HOST port.

[luqmaninbmore]

I am typing this using a $17 dollar GE wireless keyboard attached via the USB host port on my Toshiba Thrive. No problems.

[Thierry.C]

Thank you both for sharing your experience !

Originally Posted by jschall

I have tried two wireless mouse/keyboards with my Archos 5 tablet. Both worked fine, [...]

Most more recent tablets include a USB port with the Host function, so you should be fine.
[...]
In concluson, Thierry, you should have no problem using your Logitech keyboard and mouse with any tablet possessing a USB HOST port.

Yep. I knew USB Host was a necessary condition and that most of recent tablets now include that functionnality. I was especially concerned whether or not this condition was sufficient, i.e., if some drivers would be lacking.
As you have not had any problem, it should just work fine. Thanks!

Originally Posted by luqmaninbmore

I am typing this using a $17 dollar GE wireless keyboard attached via the USB host port on my Toshiba Thrive. No problems.

Good to know, thanks!

Just as an "advertisement": what I think is particularly practical when owning both a Logitech Unifying keyboard and mouse is that you hence have two micro-USB receivers at your disposal. Since only one is necessary up to six devices with Unifying technology, you can use the second (or third, ...) on another device (like a tablet).
Of course, it's obviously a "trick" to ensure the customers' fidelity for Logitech products ; it's however at least a "trick" that is useful for the customer, too.