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Lenovo Multimedia Remote with keyboard/trackball $36. + tax shipped

My friend has this thing. Not really a big fan of it. Typing on it is a pain. It's like typing on a smartphone. Trackball isn't that great. However, that might just be a configuration issue. Feels kind of fragile also. If it's for your home theather PC I think I'd prefer a standard kb + m/normal size trackball.
 
This thing is amazing for an HTPC. I have been using it for a couple of months and can't imagine using anything else. I used a Microsoft Media Center IR keyboard before, but its track pointer was worse than awful. The Lenovo's trackball is great.

It is also great for issuing single-keystoke commands and perfectly adequate for typing short phrases (like search terms and quick IM replies). If you plan to type term papers with it or compile quarterly reports, you may be better off with a different device.
 
Received mine, very happy with it. The keyboard is very smart-phone-like (almost exactly like my old HTC Fuze actually) but works well for the little typing I do on the HTPC. My HTPC case is black and you can't even see the receiver plugged in to the front unless you know it's there, and it gets great range.
 
KRammer said:
Is the keyboard back light ?
Click to expand...

No.

Another (strange) limitation of the keyboard is the lack of Fn (Function) keys. I understand that they did not have room for an extra row of keys on the top, but they could have made some other keys do the double duty.

In any case, I have not had a need for the Function keys when using my HTPC, but be warned. I am sure there is software that can remap keys if necessary, but who wants to deal with an extra layer of settings.
 
How good is the track ball and left and right click?

I would use for HTPC (replacing ATI Remote Wonder), so those functions would be what I use primarily.
 
mshan said:
How good is the track ball and left and right click?

I would use for HTPC (replacing ATI Remote Wonder), so those functions would be what I use primarily.
Click to expand...
The trackball is a little loose but accurate and responsive. The clickers are a little stiff, have to push on the right spot. I don't use mine a ton though, maybe they'll get easier with use.
 
Has anyone tried using this in a different room? I'm wondering about the range through a floor. My HTPC will be located almost directly above one of my TVs and I'm wondering if this is an option I can consider (without somehow remnotely mounting the dongle on a longer USB cable?).
 
I've got one and I'm not really crazy about it. The buttons are very small and not backlit. The trackball works ok, but it is right below the buttons. It is very difficult to consistently hit the right/left mouse button without moving the damned cursor away from the thing you're trying to click!

Range is kinda sad. Mine seems to have issues at about 10 feet, and thats with the receiver on the FRONT of my case! It could be some type of interference, but it isn't great.

So, overall, it is difficult to type on in a well lit room, impossible to type on in a dark room, difficult to accurately mouse-click, and the range blows. It does look interesting though.
 
I just received mine. My first complaint is there is no alt button on the left side! this causes me to have to reach across the keyboard to do the alt arrow keys that are so common in browsing.

(posted with the unit leaning back in my chair)
 
speeedbump said:
Has anyone tried using this in a different room? I'm wondering about the range through a floor. My HTPC will be located almost directly above one of my TVs and I'm wondering if this is an option I can consider (without somehow remnotely mounting the dongle on a longer USB cable?).
Click to expand...

From the reviews I've read, sometimes the remote struggles even when in the same room as the computer. You might run into issues going through your ceiling.
 
I have no major complaints about the design. Can it compare to a full size keyboard? No way, but it's not what the product is for.

I use it for IPTV viewing via Team MediaPortal (a Media Center app). It does not have integrated support for the standard MCE remote like the built-in Windows Media Center does. All I need this for is to issue single-keystroke commands like X to go full screen, B to stop video etc. It also works well for short Google / IMDB queries.

There really is no alternative, especially in this price range for a mouse-like device with a built-in keyboard for occasional keystrokes. Microsoft's MCE IR keyboard/remote could have done a BETTER job, but its "mouse-nub" is atrocious and impossible to get used to.

Something like this could work, but you don't know how "loose" the trackball is and the thing is three times the size of the Lenovo keyboard.
 
cyberia said:
I have no major complaints about the design. Can it compare to a full size keyboard? No way, but it's not what the product is for.

I use it for IPTV viewing via Team MediaPortal (a Media Center app). It does not have integrated support for the standard MCE remote like the built-in Windows Media Center does. All I need this for is to issue single-keystroke commands like X to go full screen, B to stop video etc. It also works well for short Google / IMDB queries.

There really is no alternative, especially in this price range for a mouse-like device with a built-in keyboard for occasional keystrokes. Microsoft's MCE IR keyboard/remote could have done a BETTER job, but its "mouse-nub" is atrocious and impossible to get used to.

Something like this could work, but you don't know how "loose" the trackball is and the thing is three times the size of the Lenovo keyboard.
Click to expand...

If you'd rather have a touchpad (and a backlight) there's also these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130382567718&ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFFX:IT
The seller I think will only take $1 off if you do the best offer thing...

Review on it: http://journal.drfaulken.com/ipazzp...uter-remote-control-first-impressions-review/
 
None of these remotes are perfect. I thought about getting the iPazzPort wireless keyboard/touchpad. I hate touchpads, but liked the idea of a baclklite keyboard and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Good price on eBay, it's $40 plus shipping from here: http://efo.buy-lowest.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=180

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190408049688&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=%3F*I7&GUID=671463811290a02683952385ffb1b72f&itemid=190408049688&ff4=263602_263622

I have had no problems with the Lenovo's trackball. I find it precise and easy to use and it works well from ~12', but can't say the same for the keyboard. I agree with others. It's impossible to use even in a dimly lighted room. If it were backlite it would be almost perfect for this type of product.
 
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