Adesso USB Numeric Keypad and Optical Mouse Review

by Kevin O'Brien

The Adesso 19-Key USB Numeric Keypad and Optical Mouse (model AKP-170) like the name says, is a number pad and mouse in one unit. It is designed for the neat freak accountant junkie who needs dedicated number pad, wants a mouse, but doesn't want tons of equipment lying around.

This keypad mouse has the following features:

• Increase productivity in business applications
• Great for Laptop users, by combining numeric keypad and mouse
• The 19-key layout provides efficient and convenient access to your numeric keys
• The non-synchronization keys allow you to use the keypad and your keyboard as separate units
• The 1000 dpi resolution optical mouse provides smoothness and accuracy
• The transparent cover avoids touching numeric keys while using mouse function
• Big scrolling wheel for convenient surfing the Internet
• Very similar to the soft touch feeling of notebook keys
• Driver-Free

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Setup

This device was completely plug and play on every machine I tested it on (except our OLPC XO). No additional drivers were required to get it to work, which is pretty nice if you swap between computers often. Just plug the USB cable into the USB port on your computer and start using it.

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Use

The mousing experience while using the Adesso numeric keypard and optical mouse is fairly generic. Tracking capabilities are equal to my Microsoft Intellimouse, with the only difference being the pressure required to trigger the two mouse buttons. The left and right mouse buttons on the Addesso mouse require a bit too much pressure, and after a lengthy use (15-20 minutes) your fingers and wrist feel sore.

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The keypad on the Adesso mouse works quite well, if not just slightly on the small side. The keys are very responsive, with a nice smooth action. While the compact number pad does not fully replace a full-size pad on a standard keyboard, it is better than the offset key pattern usually found on a notebook. The only problem the number pad really had was its tendency to slide around during use. Another side effect of using the number pad was it triggered the numlock on and off for each keypress. With my Thinkpad having an on screen numlock indicator, it was not uncommon to see it flash up hundreds of times for a simple task. This did not create any other side effects, just a mild annoyance.

Conclusion

The Adesso keypad and mouse combo does sound like a great product on paper, but in use I would much rather use a dedicated numberpad. Combining a mouse that needs to slide around, and a numberpad that needs to stay put resulted in a device that slid around when typed on. For notebook users that need a numberpad, I highly suggest dedicated model, which will not only be thinner for easier storage, but will also stay put during use.

Pros

• Large scroll wheel feels like driving a Cadillac down a webpage
• Good tactile feedback on keypad buttons

Cons

• Mouse slides around easily when using it as a number pad

 

Nothing like TurboTax headshots.

Cool review. I like it when you guys write about weird stuff like this.

 

Thanks for the review. Interesting combo product. Hadn't thought of it, if you hadn't posted it.

Good idea, but even if they manage to make it stay still when using the keypad, I doubt demand is going to be high.

 

Nice concept.... but I think it's a bit uncomfortable to use such a mouse since the back of the mouse isnt round-shaped.

 

I assume you missed the transparent lid/cover?

 

Wow. That's pretty impressive. I would've thought of it...sooner or later.

P.S. Happy Xmas all!

 

Nice idea, would have been even better if it was wireless or BT.