Rii 2.4G Mini Wireless Keyboard with Touchpad,Laser Pointer with Remote Control,Backlit Portable Keyboard Controller with USB Receiver for Windows/Mac/Android/PC/Tablets/TV/Xbox/PS3. V3-Black

I purchased this keyboard to serve as a controller for my recent XMBC setup in the man cave. I had recently got an ASUS Chromebox that I setup with XBMC/OPENELEC. The HTPC allowed me to mount it on the VESA mount on the back on the TV. While this setup is very desirable it presents a problem with standard IR remotes which need a line of sight. I had a regular size wireless keyboard, but it was bulky and finding the correct keys at night to control XBMC was a challenge.After doing some research the Rii Mini RT-MWK01 Wireless Keyboard seemed to be the best option so I purchased one. After a 3 to 4 weeks of use I can say it is a good product and is a welcome additionPros:Size -My larger full size wireless keyboard is bulky. This keyboard fits easily in the palm of my hand and it works very well with XBMC for regular use.Wireless Signal -Unlike an IR remote, the keyboard operates well on 2.4Ghz channel and it allows me to keep the Mini HTPC and wires out of sight.QWERTY Keyboard -Customization and other keyboard tasks for XBMC is so much easier and quicker than using the on screen keyboard and the direction keys of a standard IR remote. It also has a built in track pad and right and left mouse buttons. It also works good with my Windows Media Center PC and Android HTPC I have.BackLit keys -This is the gravy and what really sold me in buying the product. There is a button that can turn on the backlight so that the keys are visible without having to turn on additional lights. You just push the backlight button and the keys light up for a short interval.Low Battery Indicator -Let's you know when the battery is weak.Cons:Laser Pointer -This really just a con for me. I see the value of having a laser pointer on this device if the user is using it to do a presentation, but I have two kids. One is six and the other is three and now that they have discovered the laser pointer functionality the keyboard remote is now seen as a new toy. I've caught them playing with it and for fear of them pointing it in each other's eyes or it disappearing in the toybox abyss I've had to put it up out of their reach when not in use.Battery -The keyboard uses an internal rechargeable battery. The keyboard can be recharged via the provided USB cable, butI would have preferred to just install AAA or AA akaline batteries. It was probably a design choice to keep it thin and lighter. It's a minor concession I can live with.** Other Notes **When using it in the living room on other devices I did encounter a signal problem. I thought it was a weak battery or distance issue, but apparentlyit was having a conflict with other wireless devices in use. The troubleshooting section of the manual suggested that I change the wireless channel via Fn + F1 keys for 10 seconds. After that it worked like a charm.Overall this product is a cost effective wireless keyboard/mouse/trackpad solution that fits my needs perfectly. I use it primarily to navigate and operate my XBMC device. I've tested it with Windows Media Center and an Android HTPC and it works well with those products. It isn't bulky like a regular keyboard. The backlit keys are a plus especially at night and it was one of the main reasons why I chose it. I'm glad I did.

Because there are so many different versions of this remote and you can't even be sure which one you'll get. i first bought the Favi version two years ago and it has been my favorite mini. The working range is adequate and the backlight feature is indispensable. The power switch broke when I dropped it - still works fine but when the battery gets low it gets flaky and needs to be reset by cycling the power. I have been on a quest to replace it and now have three more similar units along with the Logitech diNovo Mini Keyboard, the Unisen iPazzPort KP-810-18R Wireless Keyboard and Touchpad with Learning Infrared (IR) Remote Control 2.4G RF Google TV Compatible. The iPazzPort is very similar to the Rii and Favi but also includes a programmable IR remote. The Logitech is sleek and works well but has its own shortcomings - especially the price.Why do I have 3 more of these? Each one has been listed with a picture of the identical remote but all were slightly different in reality. The differences are immediately apparent by the symbol on the button in the upper left corner. The Favi had the Light bulb as in the one pictured on this Rii listing. The first Rii I received was the exact same unit but unfortunately the backlight didn't work. The great price on these makes it hardly worth paying the shipping to return it. I then bought another Favi with the same picture in the listing, but the one I received had a Bluetooth symbol on the upper left button. The range of this unit was ridiculous, you may as well plug in a wired keyboard. So I bought another Rii at a different website, again with the picture showing the light bulb on the upper left button. This one showed up with a red laser dot symbol on the upper left button, and continuously loses connection with the receiver and needs to be switched off and on again.I suggest before you buy one of these you contact the seller and see if they can tell you which version you will get. The one with the white light bulb on the upper left button seems to work best. Maybe just buy the iPazzPort KP-810, the layout is nearly identical and the IR function is handy to power on the TV and Receiver.Pros: backlight, RF Button, price , laser pointer to play with the cat during commercialsCons: Layout - the media keys require a simultaneous push of the Fn key, easily fixed by installing Keytweak on the PC. Has anyone used F1 - F12 since DOS?The mouse buttons should be on the left side. Click and drag is very awkward.Can't turn off the tap to click feature of the touch pad. Extremely annoying! No touch pad drivers are available so there are no options in control panel.RF button not explained in the stereotypical Chinese manual (if you are lucky enough to get one).