$50

Bluetooth keyboards seem to be a dime a dozen these days, but some definitely seem more promising than others. The Rapoo E9180P wireless touch keyboard seemed to be a more promising version. It’s very minimalist and sleek style is attractive without being pretentious.

At its tallest, the keyboard is about ¾” tall and weighs about a pound. The keyboard is compatible with desktops, laptops and even gaming consoles. You must have Windows XP/7/8 to work with the Rapoo keyboard. I see no reason why it shouldn’t work with a Mac, but that was not tested. I had no problems plugging in the USB device to enable the Bluetooth connection with the keyboard. My computer quickly recognized the keyboard and installed the appropriate driver. It was perhaps 30 seconds total and I was off and running.

The feedback when typing really lets you “feel” your words and brings a special joy to the task. I am writing this whole post on the Rapoo E9180P and the words seem to literally fly from my fingers onto the screen. The keyboard is almost unnoticeable once you’re working. The tactile feedback is useful without being intrusive. I did notice that when reaching for the backspace button with my right pinkie, I always seemed to overshoot since it is closer than on my old wireless keyboard, but it’s a minor complaint. I also noticed, that after so many years working with a mouse, it’s hard to let go of the habit of reaching for a mouse even with the trackpad right next to the keyboard. Speaking of the trackpad, it’s very cool to have on the keyboard and when I remember to use it, is a time saver. Its responsive and slick design is excellent and I was hooked shortly after using it a few times. Don’t think I didn’t reach for my old trusty mouse a few times during this article, though; old habits are hard to break! There are a number of multitouch gestures which can be used on the touchpad. While no doctor has chimed in on this, the keyboard seems easier on my wrists (your experience may vary). Users have stated that the range and connectivity of this keyboard is excellent.

While not a deal breaker, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that most of the instructions appear to be in Chinese. So be prepared to figure this out on your own, if you have any issues, or brush up on your Mandarin.

Bottom line, the Rapoo E9180P is a very solid, attractive wireless keyboard with a touchpad. While it has its quirks, it deserves serious consideration given its attractive styling and modest price (About $50).

Pros

• Seamless setup
• Minimalist fit & finish
• Tactile feedback is excellent and makes using the keyboard almost effortless

Cons

• Location of some keys may take some getting used to
• Instructions are not usable for non-Chinese speakers
• Trackpack may take getting used to for those accustomed to a mouse

RAPOO E9180P