IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard GKB601 - Black (GKB601B)

by Iogear

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.5 x 9.1 x 0.6 inches ; 5.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0051UWEOE
• Item model number: GKB601B
• Batteries: 2 AAA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 20, 2011

Product Description

IOGEAR's GKB601B Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard is here. Control and easily switch between up to 6 Bluetooth enabled devices from one keyboard, product GKB601B. With the Media Center Hot Keys and iPad home button quickly accessible with one touch, the keyboard transforms a computing space into your own command center that stands alone in the world of mobile computing, multi-tasking efficiency and wireless gaming. Users can pair the Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard with PCs, Macs, Smart Phones, tablets, iPads, game consoles and other HID profile supported devices running on Android, or iOS 4.0 and above. Best suited for: MCE (Media Center applications for Microsoft) Gaming Consoles Smart Phones which support Bluetooth HID profile The ultra-slim, low profile keyboard allows you to type with style and comfort. Start connecting today and witness your multi-tasking abilities soar!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Really good, October 14, 2011

By 

Reviewer "Vlad" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard GKB601 - Black (GKB601B) (Personal Computers)

I bought this keyboard for my 7-inch Viliv X70 tablet and so far has worked flawlessly. This keyboard, admittedly, is small and takes some time to get used to. But for a 7 inch tablet works great, because it does not seem too big for it. I also have another Bluetooth Keyboard by HP, which is great, but it is a little bit too big for a 7 inch tablet. If you have a bigger tablet, perhaps you would like a bigger keyboard, but for a 7 inch, the size is right. Bluetooth works really fast, and the pairing is pretty easy

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best BT Keyboard in the market, June 21, 2011

By 

Pacco - See all my reviews

This review is from: IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard GKB601 - Black (GKB601B) (Personal Computers)

I purchased this keyboard because I would like to have a physical keyboard on the road for my smart phone. I noticed that the keyboard could link to 6 different BT devices (however, need to make sure the devices support BT HID profile). The setup was easy and I have connected the keyboard with my iPhone, notebook, iPad. The only down side is that the keyboard does not come with mouse function. However, I do understand it is designed for Smart Phones or Tablets which does not require mouse function. And I found out that IOGEAR has another model with the touchpad but the size of the keyboard is not for mobile people. The mini keyboard comes with a carrying pouch which is very nice. Also, it comes with MEC hotkeys, but I have not tried to connect to my HTPC yet.
I could just use the keyboard with my iPhone or iPad to reply the e-mail in airport or hotel. Hope IOGEAR will come out a version with the stand so I do not need to carry the stand anymore.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use and set up, but too small for me, September 13, 2011

By 

Thomas Manning (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IOGEAR Multi-Link Bluetooth Mini Keyboard GKB601 - Black (GKB601B) (Personal Computers)

I want to start by saying that while I have not owned it for very long, I have had absolutely no trouble with this keyboard. The only quirk is that to turn it off, I have to set it to a different frequency so that my tablet does not keep looking for it, but otherwise, very easy to use (and not the keyboard's fault). It connects immediately, and was recognized by my tablet very quickly. Setup took less than 2 minutes, and the packaging was nice as well as the carry-case (just a cloth cover, but still nice to have!). Overall, I think this is a fine, well engineered product.

Unfortunately, though, I am returning it for two reasons. The first is that it is a little too small for my tastes. A small grip I have with the design (not the operation) is that the right shift key is too small, leading to me often being unable to find/press it. Furthermore, I have to type fairly slowly to not mistype, though I was getting better, and probably would get used to it fairly quickly.

The second reason is that I bought it for use with my tablet, but I came to realize after some use, that I would not really be doing enough typing on it to warrant a $40 keyboard. I do not do much typing (aside from online on my laptop like right now) anyways, and the tablet is more for media consumption than actual work as I can do most things much more quickly on my laptop. I rarely used the keyboard and cannot find a use for it.

Overall, I find it to be a well engineered product and would give it 5 stars based on operation. However, for my own use, I cannot justify such an expensive keyboard when the on-screen keyboard for my tablet (acer iconia a500) is good enough for the occasional typing. I give it four stars for this reason as I cannot see the need for such a small keyboard, but others may differ in their opinions on this.

As a final side-note. It works well on applications that allow external input for controls (games)! Also, for an android tablet, the esc key works as a back button, but the windows key or win+d does not work as a home button! =(, and the media keys all work too.