Steam Link: what keyboard/mouse to use

treyu86

Hello guys,

Just bought the steam link the other day, it arrived today and it works GREAT. I use it connected by ethernet to my router (not wireless) thanks to a pair of PLC, and I just tested a pair of games (Tree of Savior MMO, and also some single player games) and all worked fine at 1080p 60FPS (just the same performance I get with my PC, which has an i5 4690k, gtx 970 4gb OC and 8gb ram ddr3). I only have ps4 controller so I had to do the first tries with it.

In my PC, I have been playing mmos for many many years with my logitech g600 which i totally LOVE, so I have bought a cheap wireless Razer Naga Epic for 35$ (second hand mouse) and I am looking to buy a good but not expensive wireless keyboard. I just want one that works good with 0 problems, dont really want to spend that much on a keyboard for this as I already have an expensive wired one in my PC. Steam Link supports keyboard and mouse (wired and wireless with adapters or bluetooth), steam controller, xbox and ps4 controllers etc. is wireless better than bluetooth, or viceversa or it does not matter?

So, anyone can give me any advice on which one to buy? Even better, anyone that already is using steam link with keyboard and mouse and is happy? thanks in advance

Ridelynn

Wireless with adapaters usually don't require any special driver software. They have a USB antenna that plugs into the client somewhere, and that can be moved by plugging it into a USB extension cord so you can get better reception if needed. Depending on the model, they can interfere in popular frequency bands (2.4Ghz is very crowded). These keyboards will usually work at bootup.

Bluetooth can pass through more nuanced information - such as battery charge level and other things. But that requires bluetooth support and a drive for that keyboard. These keyboards won't function until the bluetooth software stack is loaded (so, on a PC, you couldn't hit F2 or F8 during startup to enter BIOS or boot options - idk if the Link has a need for anything like that).

I haven't noticed an appreciable difference between wireless adapter and bluetooth keyboard battery life - both can go for weeks.

Past that, I'd say it's whatever your comfortable with. I don't use Link, but I do use In-Home Streaming - and for that I use a PS3 controller, a Logitech bluetooth mouse, and an Apple bluetooth keyboard (my client is a Mac Mini). On streaming, I game almost exclusively with the controller - as those type of games are easier for me to sit in my recliner and veg out. If I'm playing something that almost requires a keyboard/mouse, I usually do that at my computer at my desk - easier to read text, better mouse and keyboard there, etc.

Mikeha

I have been thinking about getting a STEAM link. 

treyu86

Recore said:

I have been thinking about getting a STEAM link. 

Do it It works great at least for me. Wired (it is recommended though people with good 5ghz routers say they have no problems). I use a router wired by etherne cablet to a good PLC adapter and the Link at my TV room wired by the paired PLC adapter too and it is great.

treyu86

Ridelynn said:

Wireless with adapaters usually don't require any special driver software. They have a USB antenna that plugs into the client somewhere, and that can be moved by plugging it into a USB extension cord so you can get better reception if needed. Depending on the model, they can interfere in popular frequency bands (2.4Ghz is very crowded). These keyboards will usually work at bootup.

Bluetooth can pass through more nuanced information - such as battery charge level and other things. But that requires bluetooth support and a drive for that keyboard. These keyboards won't function until the bluetooth software stack is loaded (so, on a PC, you couldn't hit F2 or F8 during startup to enter BIOS or boot options - idk if the Link has a need for anything like that).

I haven't noticed an appreciable difference between wireless adapter and bluetooth keyboard battery life - both can go for weeks.

Past that, I'd say it's whatever your comfortable with. I don't use Link, but I do use In-Home Streaming - and for that I use a PS3 controller, a Logitech bluetooth mouse, and an Apple bluetooth keyboard (my client is a Mac Mini). On streaming, I game almost exclusively with the controller - as those type of games are easier for me to sit in my recliner and veg out. If I'm playing something that almost requires a keyboard/mouse, I usually do that at my computer at my desk - easier to read text, better mouse and keyboard there, etc.

Thanks for info. I now need to know a good but not expensive wireless keyboard, I tend to like logitech but I am not sure on which one would be good for gaming that does not cost $50 or more

Cleffy

5 Ghz wireless depends on how far you are away from the Antenna and the things in between. Its capable of more bandwidth but has less range. Also like any wireless technology, it will have intermittent problems caused by interference.

Aethaeryn

treyu86 said:

Recore said:

I have been thinking about getting a STEAM link. 

Do it It works great at least for me. Wired (it is recommended though people with good 5ghz routers say they have no problems). I use a router wired by etherne cablet to a good PLC adapter and the Link at my TV room wired by the paired PLC adapter too and it is great.

I use mine with wireless 5Ghz AC etc.  My PC is nothing special 2500K and everything runs smooth.  Actually I have wireless to the router as well and then wireless to my bedroom where the Steam Link is and it is still great.  Not much interference here though.

Aethaeryn

Cleffy said:

5 Ghz wireless depends on how far you are away from the Antenna and the things in between. Its capable of more bandwidth but has less range. Also like any wireless technology, it will have intermittent problems caused by interference.

Absolutely true and something I didn't understand when I first bought it.