5. Microsoft Remote Keyboard For Windows XP Media Center

• Remote Keyboard 3pk
• • Mwave.com
  • $38.99

By Ed Tittel

While there are plenty of wireless keyboards available nowadays, those who do use Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005 might want to consider trying out Microsoft's Remote Keyboard for MCE 2005 as a companion to their multimedia systems. The official name of this product is a real mouthful - it's the Microsoft Remote Keyboard for Windows XP Media Center Edition - and it provides a smallish, but full-featured keyboard with a mouse emulator on the right-hand side, so that you can theoretically do everything you need to do with Windows MCE with this device alone. In practice, however, the mouse functionality isn't really good enough for serious gaming, graphics work, or heavy-duty document creation, but it is adequate for driving the MCE user interface.

The keyboard itself is pretty compact, and acts and feels more like a compact desktop or notebook keyboard, than a full-size model. That said, the touch and feel are decent, and it's OK for writing e-mail and creating other short text elements. The ergonomics of the unit are good, with raised edges at each end designed to make this unit easy to hold, and light enough to be comfortable sitting in your lap for extended periods of time.

The unit runs on four AA batteries and communicates only with the Microsoft Media Center Remote IR receiver unit. Alas, this is not bundled with the retail versions of the keyboard itself, but is included with the Microsoft MCE Remote, which is bundled with many MCE pre-fab systems, or available online for around $35. That extra remote will turn out to be superfluous for those who learn how to use this keyboard, however, as Microsoft has done a really good job of integrating remote control capabilities into the keyboard.

The left hand side sports play, pause, stop, fast forward and rewind, channel up and down, volume, and mute controls, as well as left and right mouse click buttons. The right hand side provides buttons for major MCE content silos, such as Live TV, Recorded TV, the Program Guide, DVD Menu, MSN Messenger and the "Green Button" for the MCE 2005 home page and control central. The right side is also where you'll find the mouse emulator, plus power, back, and more buttons.

At a list price of about $105 this keyboard may seem expensive, but those who shop around can find it for about $60. You should be able to pick up the MCE Remote you'll need to get the necessary IR receiver for about $10 less than its list price. This keyboard is definitely worth trying if you're looking for a quick and easy solution to your remote control and keyboard needs for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 systems.