IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel, 2.4GHz Wireless GKM561R (Black)

by Iogear

• Ultra-slim ergonomic wireless 2.4Ghz keyboard with built in laser trackball, left / right buttons and scroll wheel features.
• 2.4Ghz technology offers greater range up to 33 feet away from your computer, Built-in laser trackball with 400, 800, and 1200 dpi selections
• Built-in left and right mouse buttons with built-in scroll wheel, 19 hotkeys for multimedia functions
• Slip Resistant design on both sides with rubber grip, 78 channels for Keyboard with unique ID to avoid interference (automatically switches)
• The perfect solution for Digital Living Rooms, ON/OFF switch for battery saving

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 16 x 8.5 x 2 inches ; 2.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B002H0BOBA
• Item model number: GKM561R
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (658 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #59 in Electronics > Accessories & Supplies > Computer Accessories > Keyboards
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 14, 2004

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

IOGEAR Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel, 2.4GHz Wireless GKM561R (Black)

Enjoy the freedom of wireless connectivity with IOGEAR's slim and ergonomic wireless 2.4 GHz keyboard with built-in laser trackball. The 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard and laser trackball combo allows you to work up to 33 feet away from your computer. It's the ideal solution for the living room home entertainment and computer enthusiast; also a perfect solution for meeting room presentation needs. 

No driver needed, just plug in the included USB RF Receiver and you are ready to go.

Great for:

• HTPC (Home Theater PC's) setups
• MCE (WindowsMediaCenter) applications
• Latest game consoles such as, PS3 and XBOX

The ultra-slim, and low profile keyboard lets you type with style and comfort from any angle in the room. In addition to its creative design it has built-in left and right mouse buttons with a scroll wheel and uses the latest laser trackball technology. This enables you to control the mouse cursor speed from 400 dpi, 800 dpi or at a lightning speed of 1200 dpi. A stylish, ergonomic, and slip resistant wireless solution for your home electronics lifestyle.

The 2.4 GHz technology is able to perform frequency hopping to avoid interference with WiFi, Bluetooth, and other devices.

A definite must have for anyone looking to compliment their PC to TV solution.

Key Features

• Ultra-slim ergonomic wireless 2.4GHz keyboard with built in laser trackball,left / right buttons and scroll wheelfeatures.
• 2.4Ghz technology offers greater range up to 33 feet away from your computer
• Built-in laser trackball with 400, 800, and 1200 dpi selections
• Built-in left and right mouse buttons with built-in scroll wheel
• 19 hotkeys for multimedia functions
• Slip Resistant design on both sides with rubber grip
• 78 channels for Keyboard with unique ID to avoid interference (automatically switches)
• ON/OFF switch for battery saving
• The perfectsolution for Digital Living RoomsorPC to TV

Functions

Requirements:
Computer / Device*= 1 USB port

Operating System**

• Windows XP
• Windows Vista (32-bit / 64-bit)
• Windows 7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
• Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later***

*Device must support USB HID keyboard device and USB HID-compliant mouse in order to have the keyboard and mouse functionality respectively.
**Media Center hotkeys are only supported with the operating systems that have Microsoft Windows Media Center.
*** Some Mac special keys may not work

What's in the Box:
2.4GHz Multimedia Keyboard, USB RF Receiver, Cleaning Cloth, 2 x AA Battery, Quick Start Guide, Warranty Card

Warranty:
3-year warranty

About IOGEAR

IOGEAR headquartered in Foothill Ranch, CA, offers innovative Consumer Electronics and IT solutions that enable convergence through connectivity in the home, at the office and on the go. Founded in 1999, the company provides a broad range of products that help integrate technologies in everyday life, share resources, decrease clutter and energy consumption, and reduce electronic waste.

The company is environmentally-conscious and emphasizes conserving natural resources to employees and customers through its GREEN initiatives. In addition, IOGEAR has partnered with Trees for the Future to plant one tree for every product purchased on its Web site or by members of its GREEN initiative partner program.

IOGEAR distributes throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia.

Product Description

IOGear GKM561R 2.4GHz Multimedia Keyboard with Laser Trackball and Scroll Wheel you can enjoy the freedom of wireless connectivity with IOGEAR's slim and ergonomic wireless 2.4 GHz keyboard with built-in laser trackball. The 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard and laser trackball combo allows you to work up to 33 feet away from your computer. It's the ideal solution for the living room home entertainment and computer enthusiast; also a perfect solution for meeting room presentation needs. Great for HTPC (Home Theater PC's) setups or MCE (Windows Media Center) applications. The ultra-slim, and low profile keyboard lets you type with style and comfort from any angle in the room. In addition to its creative design it has built-in left and right mouse buttons with a scroll wheel and uses the latest laser trackball technology. This enables you to control the mouse cursor speed from 400 dpi, 800 dpi or at a lightning speed of 1200 dpi. An inclusive, ergonomic, smooth and superb wireless solution for your home electronics lifestyle. The 2.4 GHz technology is WiFi and Bluetooth friendly and is able to perform frequency hopping to avoid interference with other devices. Media Center hot keys only support Windows XP MCE and Vista Premium editions. Devices must have HID Support (USB Keyboard / Mouse Support) in order to obtain keyboard functionality.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 155 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost Perfect HTPC Keyboard October 15, 2009

By Ramkumar Balaraman

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have an old laptop permanently hooked up to my TV. Its my DVD player, Netflix/Hulu player and multi-format Media player. It's worked out great so far, except the part where I need to keep scooting up to the laptop to choose/play the next video, reluctantly giving up the comfort spot on my couch. I've tried hooking up my other wireless k/b and mouse to it, but that didn't work too well; miserable range, k/b too big to leave lying on the coffee table, no convenient surface to use the mouse, etc. but mainly the miserable range was what killed it.

I've been eying the dinovo mini for a while now, but could never get myself to spill a 3-digit figure for a k/b. But all the other HTPC keyboards had mixed reviews, so I had resigned myself to waiting till the dinovo got old and cheap. That's till I spotted the iogear last week. Pretty decent reviews on Newegg and Amazon, good looking design, encouraging feedback on the range and a trackball and scroll wheel to boot. I was sold.

I've been totally enjoying this keyboard the last one week. Excellent range, great size, the trackball works great, and the scroll wheel is a blessing. This is almost exactly what I was looking for, and at a great price-point. Well, definitely more expensive than I would spend on a typical wireless keyboard, but given the selection of alternatives out there, this is probably the best feature-price ratio for a htpc keyboard one can get. Both XP pro and home had no issues recognizing it without needing anything to be installed.

If I were to change some things on this keyboard, they would be:
1. Make it a little lighter; it currently weighs around 2 pounds or so. My full-size wireless keyboard is nearly twice its size but feels way lighter.
2. The track ball has some play to it, i.e.... isn't snug in its socket. It doesn't really affect functionality though, just a little annoying at times.
3. The track ball is entirely light-weight smooth plastic. Rolls very smoothly and no problems so far, but I imagine that adding some rubberized coating (such as that on the scroll wheel) and weight would have been great for friction, good tactile feel and more precise pointer movement. The higher DPI settings are currently unusable because there isn't sufficient friction between fingers and trackball to be able to make precise tiny movements, and it rolls way too easily.
4. The design with a trackball in the upper right corner and the mouse buttons in the upper left corner is excellent when you're using both hands, but makes it very difficult for single-handed operation. The mouse buttons (at least the left click) could have been provided on both sides to ease this.
5. Has a lot of keyboard functions that would probably work only on the media center versions of windows. They're useless for me; I might have swapped the extra keys for clipboard operations, zoom, navigation, etc. that could be used in any version of windows.
6. Some keys are disproportionately sized - like the return key and the arrow keys - almost like the key layout was designed in a hurry. Don't care much for the fonts either. But overall the keyboard has a real neat, sleek look with an obsession for straight lines and angles. Very good-looking.
7. Not very pick-up-able. You cannot pick it up from a flat surface (table) with just one hand in a reasonably quick manner without the risk of knocking your shiny new keyboard right off the table. The bar running under the top edge of the keyboard would be a prime location for adding a gap where your fingers can slip underneath to grab it. Not cool to always need to reach for it with both hands.

These are all just minor nitpicks though - I really, really like this keyboard. If you have a HTPC, you should get it; you won't regret it. I might still get the dinovo mini when its price drops to this range (half the size and has a touchpad; touchpads are much more versatile pointer controllers for me), but until then, this iogear is the perfect fit for my needs. Read more ›

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent keyboard, less-than-decent trackball December 21, 2009

By Jonathan Sullivan

Amazon Verified Purchase

It's really difficult to find a good combination wireless keyboard and mouse. I've tried Logitech's more expensive expensive diNovo Edge, and the trackpad is nearly unusable.

Overall the IOGear is better and much cheaper - in terms of both price and construction - but it's by no means perfect. The trackball material is horrible, and it sometimes doesn't register quick movement. Once you slow down to a speed it likes, it gets the job done. The keyboard is fairly good, but has some odd button placements that take a bit of getting used to.

I'd recommend this for an HTPC that will get occasional use as a PC. I would not recommend it if you'll be using the keyboard for extended periods of time, however.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really a 4.5 Star rating November 8, 2009

By D. Clarke

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this keyboard for my HTPC after seeing good reviews on other sites.

Setup was a snap--plugged in the RF receiver and the keyboard worked right away with no other steps required.

I like the compactness of this device--it has full sized keys without the number pad on the right side. The on/off switch helps with battery life.

My HTPC is in the basement and the TV is on the 1st floor so the RF signal has to go through a wood floor and no problems to date. I am inside the 30' radius that's recommended.

I'm subtracting 0.5 stars for the trackball. It works good enough but feels cheap.

I use this only a few times a week to look for TV on the internet and it's great for that. For full-time use I'd probably look for a keyboard with a higher quality trackball.

I'm completely satisfied with this device but only because it gets limited usage. Can't beat the performance for the price paid.

39 of 45 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars A review of the IOGEAR keyboard January 19, 2010

By Web Developer

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been trying out various wireless keyboards, looking for something to work with a computer hooked to a HDTV (from the comfort of my couch). I type and write a lot, so I have given them all a significant workout.

IOGEAR

Pros:

. A small-sized keyboard.
. Lightweight.

Cons:

The biggest con, is the lack of a supplementary "right"-click key, near the trackball. It is just natural to want to click after scrolling to a on-screen button, or link, etc --- and the current placement of the Clickers and the trackball forces two handed operation for every single click. The Adesso/MSI keyboards have this duplicate right-click-key in just the right place (but, I am not recommending those keyboards either, for other reasons). This also makes shift+click+scroll (like when selecting text) nearly impossible when holding the keyboard.

The angle of the keyboard's sides -- large at the bottom and small at the top -- is just wrong/uncomfortable. If you already have this keyboard, just try holding it upside down to see how much more comfortable it would be if configured that way.

While I am on the sides -- they are TOO thin -- making them not ergonomic to hold for extended periods.

The scroll wheel would be better placed above the left/right-buttons, rather than off to the inside as it is now. Again, ergonomically speaking -- watch how your hand fits on the keyboard. The index finger sits at the top, or on the side, (where the scroll should be) and not off to the inside, where you have to stretch your thumb to reach it now.

The Left/Right click keys occasionally fail to work.
(hint: If this happens to you, hit Esc or Tab, and the Left/Right keys will magically be re-enabled....)

The sticky gray holding strip, on the sides of the keyboard (the better to hold it with) fell off fairly early on.

The lack of dedicated PgUp/PgDn/End/Home keys is annoying, as is the placement of the Function Key (Fn) controlled versions of those keys on this keyboard. Again, IOGEAR is Forcing the use of two hands.

A minor point is that all of the media buttons (play, stop, turn on/off sound, increase/decrease volume, etc, are all right next to each other, with exactly the same sized keys and hard to discern graphics under the sound buttons. This makes these keys ... difficult, at best to use in less than full light. I guess a better fitting description would be 'annoying' to use.

Summary:

I would not buy this keyboard again. Read more ›