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I still remember the first wireless keyboard I tried. It was my grandfather’s old Olympus typewriter, a heavy beast with lots of metal parts and the most satisfying key press I’ve ever experienced in my life. Then again that was not a wireless keyboard by today’s definition of the word. These days, the term refers to a plethora of key-based interfaces of typically compact stature — allowing you to operate a computer, tablet, smartphone or even game system in lieu of wired alternatives.


It’s the kind of segment that Rapoo is trying to serve with its 8900P wireless combo package. The Rapoo 8900P is clearly aiming its sights at consumers who want to have their cake and eat it, too. In addition to a wireless keyboard, the package also comes with a wireless mouse for folks who yearn for wire-free cursor control as well.

The keyboard itself features a nice slim design that adds a premium touch with its use of aluminum and steel for the bulk of the device. It’s actually a nice touch, though it’s sabotaged somewhat by the narrow plasticky piece used for the upper part of the keyboard. The plastic is susceptible to scuffs and scratches, which looks especially noticeable compared to the nice metal finish.

Despite its thin profile, the keyboard comes in a full-size configuration. This is a welcome decision for folks with large hands or those simply uncomfortable with miniature keyboards as the Verbatim Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, Belkin Yourtype Folio, or even Rapoo’s own R6300.

Buttons use a chiclet-style interface, which can be good or bad, depending on your preference for keyboard depth. It may feel shallow for folks used to deeper keyboard buttons. Personally, though, I got used to to it pretty quickly and quite liked the satisfying audible click that came with each button press. The keyboard also comes with smart buttons that automatically trigger a backlight as your fingers get closer.

The mouse, meanwhile, comes in a pretty hefty size, which is good for those who get cramps from smaller mice. It looks a bit chunky but the contours on the surface allow you to rest your hands on the device comfortably. It also comes with six buttons, which include a button for switching between a setting of 800 dots per inch or a faster-moving cursor speed of 1,600 dots per inch. The mouse also comes with a magnifying toggle switch for expanding or decreasing your view. Rounding out the mouse’s controls are two arrow buttons and a scroll wheel.

One plus is that pairing the keyboard and mouse with a computer is quite easy. All you need to do is plug the included USB dongle to your laptop, which automatically installs the requisite driver. Turn both devices on and you’re good to go. I actually plugged the dongle into my PlayStation 4 and got it to work with the console, too. This proved to be especially useful when playing “Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn” via a gamepad on my 83-inch television because having the wireless keyboard meant I didn’t have to leave the sofa to walk over to my wired keyboard when chatting during gameplay. Wireless range is pretty good and the use of a 5-gigahertz signal helps minimize interference from other wireless signals. The only downside is that the dongle is quite small and easy to lose. When disconnecting it from a computer or console, I recommend placing it into the dongle slot near the batteries of either the mouse or the keyboard. I prefer using the former as its harder for the dongle to pop out when changing batteries. Do note that the batteries add weight to both the keyboard and the mouse. Battery life is quite good and I have yet to replace the ones I installed when I initially started testing the device. The 8900P combo package retails for about $90.

Overall, the Rapoo 8900P wireless keyboard and mouse works pretty well. I won’t go as far as recommending both as your main keyboard and mouse for hardcore gaming though it can get you by in a pinch. For business and regular users, however, the Rapoo 8900P is more than satisfactory for folks who want the benefit of full-size peripherals in a wireless package.

Final rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

For more articles about keyboards, mice and other peripherals, check out the Other Devices and Accessories hub.