By Paul McCollum

The HTPC setup is becoming more and more the norm now than just a computer enthusiast project. Major manufacturer support for these projects is making HTPC creation easy enough for just about anyone. Logitech, Microsoft and Lenovo all have models that combine QWERTY keyboards with multimedia controls. The latest from IOGEAR improves on Logitech diNovo Mini’s design in several key areas.

The IOGEAR Mini Wireless Multimeda keyboard has a full QWERTY and combines it with a tiny pearl trackball for mouse control, all in a footprint measuring just 6.5″ x 4″. The trackball sensitivity can be controlled on the keyboard itself. However, the layout is definitely made for the right-handed, lefties will need to adjust. Nearly all keys are backlit and almost every key has an alternate function. There’s also a full top row of multi-function multimedia keys as well for volume and video player control. When you close the lid, the keyboard will automatically go into sleep mode for saving battery life. The wireless dongle achieves more than adequate range from a discrete nano-sized dongle, giving you about 30 ft. range. But has IOGEAR included enough features or lowered the price point enough to make it a serious competitor? Read the details to decide for yourself.

[ IOGEAR Mini Wireless Keyboard Review @ Everything USB ]

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

Thermaltake has been branching out from their previous offerings related to PC cases, cooling and power supplies. We’ve already shown you a couple of their gaming peripherals in the Tt eSPORTS line. Today we have a second gaming keyboard, dubbed the Challenger Pro.

The Challenger line of keyboards currently comes in three flavors: regular, pro and Ultimate. We have the middle of the road, which only loses 2 macro keys, audio jacks and the ability to change the color of the backlight. Otherwise the Pro appears to be nearly identical to the Ultimate.

Some of the notable features include an adjustable red backlight, 10 customizable keys, a pair of USB 2.0 ports and a hand fan. That’s right, there is a removable fan that will blow air onto one of your hands. We’ll touch more on that later. Thermaltake also includes the necessary software for customizing your keys, along with a bit of on-board memory to store your profiles.

You’re also going to find spare W,A,S and D keys (colored red, instead of black like the other keys) which is a nice touch. First, the red color makes them stand out a bit. Second, there may very well come a day where you’ll want to replace those four keys simply because you’ve worn them down. My favorite little touch is that you can replace both Windows keys with non-functioning dummy keys. After all, nothing ruins a game of Team Deathmatch like accidentally hitting the Windows key.

The first thing I’ll jump into is the hand fan. While an interesting idea, it really doesn’t do much for me. The amount of airflow is limited, so I don’t always even notice that it’s there. Cooling down a sweaty hand between matches is nice, but I think that if Thermaltake decides to keep this feature around, they might consider not only giving it a little more airflow, and a way to adjust the fan’s positioning. As it is now, you can pick between a spot at the far left or far right of the keyboard, and it only swivels to the left and right. Of course, if you’re using a keyboard tray, there’s a good chance that you’ll not be able to use the fan at all, unless the tray is extended fully (and then you’ll have to be careful not to accidentally push it in and break the thing). When not using it, the fan stores inside of the keyboard at the back.

The software that is provided is pretty straightforward as far as most gaming keyboards go. You’ll be able to customize your 10 keys with any macro you like. I like that they do give you the ability to specify the delay between each action, down to 1/10th of a second. For those that set up complex macros, you will certainly appreciate this. You can also assign those keys to default Windows actions such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Save and others. My favorite is the Launch feature. This allows you to assign a piece of software to one of the macro keys. Then, with a touch of the button, you’ll open whatever program is associated with it.

There is a timer in the keyboard software, which acts more like stopwatch than a timer. It will only tell you how long you’ve been playing. I’d like to see a timer that acts as an alarm, that way you can be notified after a certain period or at a specific time. You’ll also be able to control the backlight and up to 4 profiles here. Don’t worry though, there are dedicated keys that will cycle through each profile, as well as control the brightness of the backlight.

I spend a lot of time writing, so I’ve had a good bit of time to test this keyboard as a standard typing tool. After all, for someone like me who uses the same machine to work and game, I don’t want to be swapping out peripherals twice (or more) a day. The keys are placed rather low, and close together, which can take a little bit of getting used to. That being said, after a few days with the Challenger, I was typing just as well as my trusty mechanical keyboard. Granted, I’ll always prefer a mechanical keyboard to one that isn’t, but I have no problems with my day-to-day typing on this one.

When it comes to gaming, I’d say that I like the low profile and closeness of the keys. After all, the less you have to move your fingers, the better. There is a small period of adjustment, like most peripherals, but after a few hours of gaming it up, you’ll be right on track. Surprisingly, the two features on this keyboard that I took advantage of most are the backlight and red W,A,S, D keys. As I said above, the fan didn’t do too much for me, and I did have to take it off because I’m using a keyboard drawer. The macro keys are placed at the left and right edges of the keyboard, and I just didn’t find more than a couple of them easy enough to hit to do much good. At no point did I find a good use for the ones lining the right side, as my mice always have enough buttons to keep that hand busy.

Overall, the Challenger Pro fell about in the middle of other gaming keyboards I’ve tested. It has some interesting ideas like the hand fan that need some tweaking before I think they will be good enough to really consider a reason to buy it. However, for a $70 gaming keyboard with backlit keys, I’d still say it’s worth the money. From other backlit keyboards in the same price range, you could do a lot worse.

[ Thermaltake ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

This post is syndicated with permission from GamerFront.net

Thermaltake has taken a dive into the gaming world with their new set of peripherals with the Tt eSPORTS series. This week I got to use the Thermaltake MEKA G1 Mechanical keyboard, which is one of two keyboards currently in the series. The MEKA is a great keyboard, with excellent response time, USB 2.0 inputs, and my favorite feature – “clacky” mechanical keys. Let’s get to the review.

The MEKA G1 comes equipped with two mounted USB 2.0 ports, as well as onboard headphone and microphone jacks to make connecting your peripherals faster and more efficient.  The keyboard comes with a removable palm rest, which I found very comfortable and stylish. Another great feature of the G1 is the heavyweight military-grade 1.5m braided cable that leads to a PS2 connector, as well as a USB connector. These features alone make the MEKA G1 more than a standard mechanical keyboard right out of the box.

Weighing in at just a bit over three pounds, the MEKA G1 won’t budge when under pressure. The keyboard has seven multimedia keys that make it perfect for controlling any videos, music, or PC volume as easy as a button press. I was very pleased with the way the G1 performed, as its quick response made it great for my fast-typing fingers. The keys offered a nice “clacking” sound (which I have come to love), and have a resistance to them that makes typing more manageable for me, since I work with typing a lot.

Now I don’t necessarily see where the G1 would provide an advantage in the gaming world, except for the fact that the resistance put up by the keys makes it harder for your fingers to slip. I switched to the G1 from a Steelseries Zboard, and I do have to say that I prefer this one over the Zboard. Mechanical keyboards like the MEKA G1 just fit me better than the normal ones you can find everywhere else. I’ve found that I am quicker on the MEKA, which is good when it comes to games like WoW where you constantly switch between a chat window and controlling a character. The ergonomics and feel of the keys just seem to make me get around the board quicker than when I am using a normal keyboard, or one like the Zboard. Also, since the MEKA weighs as much as it does, I don’t have to worry about it sliding all over my desk while I am trying to use it.

My verdict is simple. The MEKA G1 is a perfect mechanical keyboard, and I think it will set the standard for more in the Tt eSPORTS series. The G1 is sitting at about $139.99 which is right in between some of the pro gaming keyboard out right now. With the price tag it has, the MEKA offers the same high performance qualities that you expect from a mechanical keyboard for a cheaper price. When put to the test, the MEKA does the job, and it does it well. If you’ve got the cash to spend and you’re looking, definitely consider picking up the Thermaltake MEKA G1 mechanical keyboard for yourself.

[ Thermaltake ] VIA [ GamerFront ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Yesterday we showed you a gadget that could essentially turn your iPad into a netbook by giving it a sleek case with a built-in keyboard. It looked rather fancy, and gave the appearance that it actually was a netbook or laptop. Unfortunately, for the $150 price tag, one could actually buy a netbook.

ThinkGeek has just announced their own iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Case, for a fraction of the cost. It has a nice black silicone cover, which folds out to reveal a Bluetooth keyboard, and a stand for the iPad. It can also be flipped around so that the flap sits behind the device, letting you hold it just as you normally would. The rechargeable lithium ion battery lasts up to 90 hours, and is recharged via USB.

It might not be so cool as to give your iPad the illusion of being a laptop, but personally, I like my iPad looking like and iPad. If I’m going to be doing a lot of typing, I’ll toss a Bluetooth keyboard in my bag, but that’s a hassle. Honestly, for the $60 price and functionality, this looks like the perfect case for those that might want to do more typing than the average user.

VIA [ ThinkGeek ]

When was the last time that you changed the battery in a calculator? There’s a good chance that unless you have a really fancy one, you don’t ever change the batteries on your calculator. They use so little power that a simple solar panel suffices. When Logitech released their MK700 keyboard last August, I was surprised to see that it would last up to 3 years on a single pair of batteries (the one I reviewed is still running strong on that first set) and wondered if they couldn’t somehow recharge the batteries using solar power. Apparently they can.

The company announced their latest peripheral, the Wireless Solar Keyboard K750, which, as you might have guessed, is solar powered. The keyboard features two sets of solar panels which will gather energy whenever there is light. On a full charge it can last up to three months in complete darkness. You’ll be able to download an app that tells you how much light the device is getting, and how long the battery is estimated to last. I’m not quite sure that I’d be ready to spend $80 on a first-gen solar keyboard, but I do love the idea of not having to change out batteries.

[ Logitech ] VIA [ Gearlog ]

By Evan Ackerman

You don’t have to be a hypochondriac to get freaked out by the amount of nastiness that’s probably living on and around your computer keyboard. And not just living, but also eating, pooping, dying, and having lots and lots of unprotected sex. Ick. Traditional keyboards are full of all kinds of nooks and crannies that are to bacteria what the back of a Volvo is to high school kids, and just like with high school kids, you can only eradicate about 5% of them with a disinfecting cloth.

The Cleankeys keyboard eliminates all of the hiding spots that you’d find on a keyboard with, you know, keys, by being completely 100% touch sensitive. This means that if you wipe the keyboard down with a disinfecting cloth you get rid of 99% of the nastiness in one fell swoop. Since the average keyboard has 3,295 germs per square inch, that leaves a mere 33 germs per square inch to deal with on the Cleankeys keyboard. Incidentally, the average toilet seat has about 49 germs per square inch. Cleankeys: it’s cleaner than your toilet!

Actually using the Cleankeys keyboard would take some getting used to, since there’s no feedback when you push a key. Cleankeys says that it’s about 30% slower than typing on a standard keyboard, but “that time is typically made up many times in the time saved cleaning.” Mmmhmm. They keyboard is entirely washable (you can stick it under running water), includes an integrated trackpad, and is available with a plastic or glass top for $400 and $450 respectively.

[ CleanKeys ] VIA [ Gizmodo ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Over the last year or so we’ve seen a lot of new HTPC controllers pop up from various manufacturers. It’s been interesting to see how each one decides to integrate both keyboard and mouse into a single device. There have been some that went the way of a touchpad, while others resorted to one of those tiny nubs that I hate so much. Well MSI thinks that you shouldn’t sacrifice any of the surface space for either such device. Instead, they installed an accelerometer.

The new HTPC keyboard features a full QWERTY layout, along with some essential media hotkeys to make your life easier. Youll hold the device with both hands, and move it around to control the mouse pointer. Your left and right mouse buttons are controlled via a pair of triggers, much like you’ll find on most game controllers. Look for it later this year for around $110.

[ MSI ] VIA [ EverythingUSB ]

By Chris Scott Barr

With the rise of instant messengers, we saw a rise in the use of acronyms. I remember the old days of chatting on ICQ and learning simple ones like ‘lol’ and ‘afk’. These days I still use a few when chatting or texting, but not nearly as much as the current school-age generation. Not only does half of a conversation consist of acronyms, but now they don’t even have to bother typing all of those out. Now there’s a keyboard that will spew out 3 or 4 meaningful characters (in caps no less!) with the push of a single button. I give you proof that the current generation is doomed: the Fast Finger Keyboard.

If you thought that 12 function keys that are dedicated to acronyms was bad, you’re in for a real treat. The standard QWERTY layout has been tossed in the back seat so that children don’t get confused. Instead, all of the letters are lined up alphabetically. They’ve even added in a “www” key (because apprently no one told them that you don’t need to type that on every address) and a second “@” over on the tilde key. If only they’d thought to toss in dedicated question mark and exclamation point keys, your child would never have to mess with the pesky shift key again!

If you want your child to fail at life, just hook up this keyboard in their bedroom. They’ll soon learn to hunt-and-peck at a rapid pace, only to find that every other keyboard in the world is different. Seriously, any parent that buys this should be beaten with it. $23 is far too much to pay for a product that will only enforce bad habits.

PS. For extra fail, check out their website. It features an informative 10-second YouTube video that simply says “Coming Soon.” Their “Blog” section is also wonderful.

[ Fast Finger Keyboard ] VIA [ Kotaku ]

By Chris Scott Barr

If you’ll recall, last August Logitech released a wireless keyboard/mouse combo that promised incredible battery life. Specifically, you could go three years on your keyboard and one year with your mouse before needing to change the batteries. (Logitech is good to their word, five months in and my keyboard still reads as full, and my mouse isn’t even down to half a charge.) Well the company has decided that it can do a bit better and thus has announced the new Wireless Desktop MK710.

Largely, the two devices are pretty well the same as their predecessors. The mouse seems to have gotten a small design change, but otherwise you’ll find the same features in both. This includes the Incurve keys, hyper-fast scrolling, and the tiny Unifying receiver. The main difference here is that you’ll get three years of battery life out of both devices. That’s right, they’ve somehow tripled the battery life on the mouse. Look for the combo starting in April for the same $99 price.

[ Logitech ]

By Chris Scott Barr

Having an HTPC can be a useful thing, what with all of the greatness of a computer hooked up to your big-ass TV. The biggest issue with using them is, well, using them. Sure, if you’re using something simple like Windows Media Center then a remote should do the trick. If you’re trying to do anything that requires typing or mousing, then you’ve got to have the necessary tools. Traditional keyboards and mice are large and clunky, things that should not be found in your living room. That’s why companies like Lenovo are creating hybrid devices that provide similar functionality while still looking like something you’d want sitting on your coffee table.

The latest offering from Lenovo is this Multimedia Remote with Keyboard. Meant to be held like a traditional remote, it offers a trackball at the bottom for your mousing needs. When it comes time for typing, you’ll use the keyboard just as you would with most QWERTY phones. A tiny USB dongle is all that’s require to connect it to your computer. At $60, this should be a welcome accessory to any living room with an HTPC.

[ Lenovo ] VIA [ Dvice ]