Mini in the lounge => but what keyboard and mouse?

[Drifty]

Hi all - first post so please be gentle.

I'm on the verge of ordering a Mac Mini to put in the lounge under the TV.

But I'm stuck regarding what keyboard/mouse option to go for. Ideally I'd like wireless/(bluetooth) keyboard and a mouse (similar to the Gyration) so that I can use from the couch and not need a surface to roll it around on.

The idea of having a trackball or pad on the keyboard seems good, but could be overkill on those days you are just surfing around and probably only need a mouse - infact the more I think about it the more confused I get

I've looked though the forums and seen various people asking "does this work with MAC..." etc but I'd like to hear from other Mini users what they are using for the Living Room.

Does the remote supplied with the Mini now act as a mouse at all?

Thanks in Advance.

Drifty!

 

[m-dogg]

The remote is mainly used for the Front Row interface, but it does also provide some basic functionality when using iTunes or something like that. But you can't surf the web with it.

I use the Apple bluetooth keyboard & mouse with my iMac, and sometimes sit on the couch across from the computer to surf the web (with the text made bigger). Generally I only need the mouse and it works well - I can use it on the couch's armrest or seat cushion. Or other times I'll use a throw pillow as a mouse pad for it. It's optical, so you can pretty much use it on anything.

 

[Eidorian]

I've heard mixed reports for Gyration users. What about a wireless trackball? Logitech makes some really good ones.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

What about a Wacom Tablet? I think that would work great, although the BT model they have is a bit expensive $250. But that would work as a mouse, and would not be as clumsy as a gyration mouse (never used one). Thats what I would do. But I don't have a living room, or a mini either.

 

[mrichmon]

Does the remote supplied with the Mini now act as a mouse at all?

No, the Apple remote being supplied with the intel macs does not act as a Mouse.

I have a G4 Mac Mini set up to act as a media player as you describe. Personally, I use an Apple Wireless keyboard and an Apple wired one button mouse. In addition, I have an ATI Remote Wonder II remote control that came with my PC video card hooked up to the mac mini. ATI has written OS X drivers for this remote that allow the remote to be used to control various applications (you can set up your own application profiles if need be) and the direction pad on this remote acts as a mouse.

With this setup, I haven't had any problems sitting on the sofa 10 feet away from the computer using the wireless keyboard and the remote control as a mouse. For lots of mousing, such as when installing or configuring software I sit on the floor and use the wired mouse. Otherwise, the remote direction pad works fine.

This setup together with the MediaCentral application suits my needs better than the Apple supplied remote would.