I use this as the keyboard for my living room entertainment center. Although I have the USB RF receiver in the front USB port, I am able to type and mouse as if it were a wired keyboard/mouse even from my kitchen 25 feet away. This is the best purchase I've made for my entertainment center. I love the trackball on the right and the scrollwheel under the left trigger spot. My only complaint is that the RF times out after a short while (5m perhaps), but it comes on with any keystroke (and it still registers that keystroke). When I need to use the mouse, I just hit the shift key and it functions again. This is probably a good feature because it should be saving battery life. I've been using the same batteries for three months and have not had to re-register the keyboard to the USB receiver.
For those considering this keyboard, it is not just for a media center as my primary use is the office. No more sore shoulder on my mouse side and I now sit comfortably with my shoulders square to the monitor so it encourages much better posture than a mouse. This has probably even saved me from carpel tunnel syndrome!
Although I haven't tested the range to it's maximum, I have had no issue in small to medium sized conference rooms while straying 20-30 feet from the receiver and many people have commented how cool it was I could move around the room and face the projection screen, instead of with my head buried in my laptop. Much more interactive. The receiver too is a very friendly USB stick about the size of a flash thumb drive.
The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the build quality. Although I have gotten used to it, it would probably feel a bit cramped for some who like a full size keyboard and the size dictates the number keys are less important. But this is no differnet really than a lap top keyboard and it is not a big nuisance for me personally. It is more the 'cheap' keystroke feel that disappoints and it is a bit louder than a really high quality keyboard. But keep in mind when I say 'high' quality, I am talking about the likes of a Logitech DiNovo which is twice the price.
Also, there are two rubber feet on the underside which peel off fairly easily and once one gets lost (and one eventually will in the portable settings for which it is intended), you have to pull off the other as it will not site right on a desk. Luckily, it's heavy enough that it doesn't slide around a desk without them.
Still, for the price, and for the form factor, these nits are easily overlooked. This is such a handy keyboard I am even considering a second one, just in case they decide to stop making it. I have not seen any other form factor that makes deskless mousing and scrolling so effortless. I'd have a hard time living without it now.
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For the 2 months that it worked, it was better than other mini keyboard/trackball combos that I've tried (but that is not saying much at all, since they are almost all terrible). One thing I liked most about this over others was that it rarely needed to be resynched. The trackball worked pretty well for being so tiny, and the mouse buttons/scroll wheel were nice.But today, after using the keyboard for probably only 5-15 minutes per week over the last couple of months, it has gone haywire. Pressing most keys on the keyboard now results in the keyboard sending multiple keystrokes to the computer. For example, the "g" key sends "gv". I'm past the Amazon 30-day guarantee, so I'll have to try to deal with the manufacturer Adesso.
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My first one I am very excited to get one that works properly. Its a nice design and has a good feel. The one I received works best at 5 feet or closer, and even at that, I frequently have to hit a key 10 times until it registers. I'm within my 30 days so it's going back and I'll replace it with the same one. I'll be happy to follow up with a better review.I have now had my 2nd one for over a month. It's as big of a piece of junk as the first one. If it were not for the shipping policy that I have to pay to return defective items, then I would be sending this one back as well. I would give this zero stars for the shipping policy if I could. I guess I'll have to wait until I can find a fun and creative way to blow this up.
Two tries both defective for similar reasons. If you just want to get on the computer and play cheesy games or watch movies online then this may work. If you need to type emails or do anything that require more than 10 consecutive keystrokes, then look to buy something else.
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Like other reviewers, I purchased this keyboard for use with a home theater system. Surprised that Sony doesn't offer a Bluetooth keyboard to go with the PlayStation3 (yet), I did some research and settled on this RF unit as the best stopgap solution.Unlike the other reviewers, though, I have had no problem with the RF signal fading in and out. Admittedly, I don't use the keyboard all that much, but whenever I do I am always impressed by how well it functions. It reliably wakes from sleep and functions as advertised with only occasional missed keystrokes. The integrated trackball is a big plus -no separate mouse to clutter up your living room coffeetable just for scrolling/navigating.
Your mileage may vary, but at 12-15 feet away from the PS3/TV my unit works like a champ.
While its design is nowhere near as nice as that of the new ultra-thin aluminum Apple keyboard -and its appearance is not very impressive (hey, its a keyboard!) -at least it is ergonomic and comfortable to use. The rounded corners are nice, and the keys have a decent tactile quality.
All in all, I'm surprised to be this pleased with it, given the knocks it has taken from other reviewers. Not a bad deal.
