Product Description

The HP Wireless Elite Keyboard combines style and high-tech key design to deliver an ultra-thin design and silent operation. Built-to-last the HP Wireless Elite Keyboard provides full featured keyboard to complement any PC system at an affordable price. Compatibility: available USB port, CD drive, Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #201 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: FQ480AA
• Dimensions: .63" h x 6.06" w x 17.28" l, 1.75 pounds

Features

• The black finish and silver accents along with the low profile key design offers a distinctive style. The reduced foot-print design saves space
• Silent operation: High-tech scissor switch keyboard design offers a quite experience.
• Wireless freedom: Free yourself from wires with wireless keyboard - up to 32 feet. Advanced 2.4GHz wireless technology for less delays or dropouts
• The included wireless USB mini-receiver installs effortlessly and eliminates clutter. Wireless mini-receiver has connect light and PC status blue-LED
• Conserve energy with PC sleep button. Monitor battery level with convenient on screen battery level indicator. Long battery life

Amazon.com Product Description
Built-to-last, the HP Wireless Elite Keyboard (model FQ480AA) provides a full featured keyboard that combines style and high-tech key design to deliver an ultra-thin design and silent operation.

The ultra-thin and stylish HP Wireless Elite Keyboard.

Features & Specifications

• High-tech design: The black finish and silver accents along with the low profile key design offers a distinctive style. The reduced foot-print design saves desktop space
• Silent operation: High-tech scissor switch keyboard design offers a quite experience.
• Wireless freedom: Free yourself from wires with wireless keyboard--up to 32 feet. Advanced 2.4 GHz wireless technology for less delays or dropouts. The included wireless USB mini-receiver installs effortlessly and eliminates clutter. Wireless mini-receiver has connect light and PC status blue-LED
• Get more control: Control your entertainment experience with a comprehensive set of multimedia keys.
  • Convenient access for multimedia controls
  • 3-buttons for easy volume control
  • HP TouchSmart PC hot keys
• Energy efficient: Conserve energy with PC sleep button. Monitor battery level with convenient on screen battery level indicator. Long battery life (keyboard -- 12 months typical)
• Easy to keep clean: Spill resistant keyboard for easy cleaning.
• Adjustable keyboard height with 2 different positions
• 2.4 GHz USB wireless receiver
• Compatible with Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
• Compatible with HP PCs and non-HP PCs
• 1 year limited warranty

What's In The Box
HP Wireless Elite Keyboard, USB wireless receiver, batteries, software CD and documentation

Customer Reviews

Decent keyboard, but not great
HP Wireless Elite Keyboard


I needed a modern keyboard to replace the archaic Win95 PS/2 version that I had been using since 1996. I wanted a portable, wireless keyboard with a small footprint. Essentially, that means no wrist pad. Also, I did NOT want a bloated keyboard with a bunch of gimmicky buttons. Finally, I wanted to keep a reasonable budget --- I did not want to break the bank for a simple keyboard. Seems simple enough... but it took me *months* to find one that matched all my criteria. In the end, the HP Elite was my only option. There were no other viable alternatives.

For the most part, the keyboard meets (but does not exceed) my expectations. It's everything the photos show you, and everything the specs sheet say. Nothing more, nothing less.

The keyboard is incredibly slim and lightweight. It's not intrusive, and feels nice to have on your lap while typing. It also has an excellent range --- the signal remains strong even when I'm several yards away. This would've made for an excellent HTPC keyboard, except it lacks the all-important thumb pad.

Speaking of thumb pads, the HP Elite feels very much like a laptop keyboard. It's very quiet, and each keystroke doesn't travel very far. There are dedicated buttons for volume, and also one for sleep. There F1-F11 buttons can double as multimedia buttons when used in conjunction with the Fn (Function) button. I like the minimalist design, even though I was a bit disappointed by the lack of zoom buttons.

There's no need for a wired receiver cluttering your desktop; all the keyboard requires is a little USB dongle plugged into the PC. The dongle has a blue LED that lights up with every keystroke registered. The LED is ridiculously bright, and can be quite annoying if you're working in a darkened room.

There is no indicator at all for the status of your CAPS and NUM locks. It doesn't bother me, although it might bug some people.

My only real complaint with the keyboard is its build quality. It is simply ATROCIOUS. The keyboard is essentially assembled from four panels: Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. The top & bottom are rock solid. The keys themselves feel great. But the side panels? Ugh!!! They feel ridiculously cheap. And you have to touch these panels whenever you grab the wireless keyboard. They are not even completely fastened into the chassis; the slightest contact with your fingers will cause these panels to jiggle. Waaay too much wiggle room in these sections. If you grab the keyboard by the sides, you will hear the side panels move, rattle, and/or squeak. Just awful, AWFUL construction --- this feels very much like one of those cheap OEM accessories that come free with low-end DELL and HP systems. When I first saw the keyboard on display at Fry's, I noticed one of the side panels was missing. I naïvely thought it was just a fluke accident; now I know that wasn't the case.

Despite the poor build quality, I remain more or less pleased with the keyboard. Functionally, it has met all my expectations. And it's not like there are viable alternatives out there that meets all my criteria. Definitely a big change from the bulky Win95 keyboard I had been using since 1996. They don't make 'em like they used to, though. That old keyboard stayed with me for 13 long years. I don't think this HP keyboard will last half as long, Given its flimsy construction, I would be surprised if this thing even lasted 3 years.

I give it 3 stars out of 5.

Nice keyboard that doesn't eat your desk
Picked up one of these yesterday and so far I'm loving it. It's quiet, the key feel isn't bad, the key layout is good (like the enlarged Delete key), and some of the special keys (like the volume control) work even though I haven't bothered to install HP's software (yet, anyhow).

Wireless range is sufficient for my needs. The little USB fob plugged right into my existing USB hub and was recognized by my system instantly without having to load any drivers. Neat!

I love the look of the keyboard, and it's very small without a ton of useless plastic around the edges - just a narrow border about half an inch wide. I was using an older wired USB Apple keyboard with my PC before this - one with white keys and a transparent body - which I chose because it didn't waste a ton of desk space. I'm not sure why manufacturers feel they have to surround their keyboards with an idiotic ocean of useless plastic. Until now, Apple seemed to be one of the few manufacturers who realized that it's not only unnecessary, but also really ugly.

I was never entirely happy with the key feel of the Apple though, and it collected dirt (and cat hair) like nobody's business. And I wanted a wireless keyboard so I could remove it from the desk entirely when I needed the space. This keyboard isn't much larger (same width, about an inch deeper), but doesn't suffer from the same . . . hygiene issues, and the keyfeel is much better.

According to everything I've read the batteries (which it comes with a set of already installed) should last for about a year, at which time I'll probably replace them with rechargeables.

It's a little spendy, and it isn't quite as space-saving as Apple's old design, but given its looks and performance I'd recommend it.

Nice keyboard, occasional reception problems
Pros:
Very nice tactile sensation (laptop-style)
Good (though limited) functionality without unnecessary extras
Sleek design (less than 1/2" thick at its thickest point)
Runs on just two AAA batteries
Small receiver works right in the USB port -- no on-desk dongle
Very reasonably priced

Cons:
Occasional reception problems
Flashing blue light on USB receptor can be distracting

I've used this keyboard for about a month now, and am generally very pleased. I bought it largely because reviews I read compared it to a laptop keyboard or certain Apple keyboards, with a light-touch scissor-switch key mechanism. On that front, I am very happy. If you like the thin stroke of laptop keyboards, you should find this very satisfying. It's a world of difference from the wired keyboards that come with most PCs, and also from any wireless keyboard I've been able to find at a store. The keyboard is also impressively thin (it could easily be thrown in a suitcase for travel), and unlike many wireless keyboards, it does not use an on-desk receiver that runs from your USB port. You just plug a little device that looks like a flash drive into your USB port, and it catches the signal from there.

The only downside is that I've had some reception difficulties. Occasionally, it gets into a mode in which it misses some keys that I type and doubles up on others. I'm still experimenting, but I don't think the problem is range. I think the problem is signal interference, and I've noticed that having my cell phone next to the keyboard sometimes causes problems (but not always). In any case, the problem is fairly rare and easily noticeable. When the reception is fine, which is most of the time, you don't need to worry that it's omitting letters here and there when you're not looking at the screen. When problem-mode hits, it will be obvious.

Quick key functionality is limited, but generally sufficient. The function keys double as media keys, and they work with Windows Media Player and iTunes. You have to hold down the function button while you strike those keys, which is a bit awkward, but it does the job. (A function-lock key would be a world of improvement, but you don't get one here.) There are independent keys for volume control and muting, and these don't require the function button. There are no quick keys for internet favorites or windows explorer. I don't miss them. A couple of programmable quick keys would have been a great feature, but I'm glad they didn't overdo it and make the keyboard bigger.

Some reviewers have noted annoyance at the flashing blue light on the USB receiver. It is indeed bright and it flashes at every keystroke. I don't notice it during the day, but at night, it might bug you a bit. Using a rear USB port helps, and you might also be able to block it with black tape or a post-it note. One reviewer also noted that the keyboard has cheap construction. I understand the comment -- when you pick it up by the sides, it feels a tiny bit creaky -- but I think that reviewer was exaggerating quite a bit. It still feels solid to me.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with this keyboard. It works well and does everything I need without a lot of extras that just take up space, all for a very reasonable price (under $30 at this writing). If you prefer the laptop-style keyboard sensation, I don't think you'll find a better keyboard at this price.