IOGEAR 2.4 GHz Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel
The IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard Model GKM561R is a great keyboard for mobile use and regular desktop computers that features mouse and trackball functions as well as media buttons along the top of a regular keyboard.
Ease of Use, Performance: 23/25
Look & Feel: 23/25
Features 24/25
How much I enjoy 23/25
Total: 93/100
The 2.4 GHz Multimedia Keyboard Model GKM561R is a great wireless keyboard that includes a laser trackball in the top right corner with right and left mouse buttons as well as a scroll wheel in the top left corner. The keyboard features a regular keyboard set without the number pad and a multimedia set of buttons on the top as well as mouse and trackball controls.
The IOGEAR 2.4 GHz Multimedia Keyboard makes a great laptop keyboard, that's what I am using for as I write this, as well as a desktop keyboard for a stationary computer. The keyboard features a good set of functions and features that make it perfect for a multimedia or HTPC system as well as a desktop or laptop.
The keyboard comes with a larger USB dongle/receiver for connecting but is not the kind you can leave connected while sticking the laptop in a backpack or other laptop bag. The keyboard uses 2 AA batteries for power and the batteries last awhile, depending of course on the kind of use.
Using the keyboard for the first time is as easy as putting the batteries in and the receiver into your computers USB connection then pressing the buttons on the keyboard and dongle to connect them. The receiver will probably be installed automatically as a plug and play device and be ready very quickly for use for Windows Vista and Windows 7 systems.
The keyboard is a very nice light one for using as a multimedia keyboard for a home theatre personal computer or a laptop out in the world instead of at home. The IOGEAR 2.4 GHz keyboard has the nice trackball in the top right corner that makes using your right thumb for moving your cursor easy.
The other corner has two buttons that are the right and left mouse buttons and a scroll wheel next to that that are tilted so your left thumb can easily manipulate these controls. The keyboard has two ridges along the bottom to correspond with holding and using the mouse and cursor controls that make holding the keyboard easy with both or either hand.
The keyboard is very easy to use just resting on your lap or holding in either or both hands and being able to work the buttons, scroll wheel or trackball at the same time. I am very sad that this is one product that I have to return as this is one great keyboard for use as part of a laptop setup or even an HTPC.
Using the home theatre computer and this keyboard is great as it gives full cursor and mouse control without having to use a separate device while also having the media controls. The keyboard is great to use just on the lap with your laptop in front of you or just holding it in both hands.
The IOGEAR 2.4 GHz keyboard has three DPI settings for the trackball using the function shift key as well as a whole set of media and other functions. These are all used by holding down the blue Fn key and then the function key you want to use which is also marked in blue.
Common functions available for this include access to common folders such as pictures, music and videos, DVD and forward/reverse functions and Media Center Edition program run functions. The keyboard has the usual function keys as well as a battery low indicator and the other functions to make a great fully featured keyboard in a simple easy to use package.
The IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard is an easy to use and fantastic keyboard for use with a laptop or a HTPC system as well as the usual desktop type computers. I highly recommend the IOGEAR 2.4 GHz Multimedia Keyboard for use as an all around versatile keyboard.