The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse is a cheap and excellent alternative to the more expensive Microsoft or Logitech wireless keyboards. I have always wanted a wireless keyboard and mouse for a few reasons. This is how I work: I sit in a large chaise lounge chair, nice and comfy. Normally, I sit my laptop on my lap and work that way. Whenever I get up, I have to move the laptop. I have broken a number of flash drives this way. With the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse, I can leave the laptop in one place and sit back while working.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse has many features and a few drawbacks.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse is easy to install and use
There is no need to install any drivers or programs with the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse. Simply insert the small USB receiver into a USB drive on the computer and it automatically starts working.
The iHome wireless keyboard’s light weight can be both a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that it is not heavy when it rests on a lap. No heavy laptop, no heat from the computer, no bulkiness that makes the legs hurt.
The downside is that for the careless person, the iHome wireless keyboard is way too easy to toss around. The keyboard is so light that it does not feel like you are holding anything. It is as heavy as a Frisbee and just as easy to toss. Be careful when moving the keyboard. Try not to throw it to the side like a notebook.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse work at far distances
The instruction book says that the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse work up to 30 feet. That in itself is really far, but it has been tested at an even farther distance, about 40 feet, and it still worked perfectly.
The mouse works while facing all different directions. The mouse does not need to be pointing at the computer for it to work properly. It can even be facing backwards and work just fine, although the backwards controls might be confusing if you try to do that.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse does not suck the life out of batteries
Many other wireless keyboards are heavier and take more juice to run. The batteries run out quickly. The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse take 2 AAA batteries each and they last a long time.
The iHome wireless keyboard has programmable buttons
There are 12 buttons on the keyboard and 5 on the mouse. The buttons automatically bring up an internet browser, media program, or e-mail. 4 of the buttons on the wireless keyboard and 2 on the mouse and be programmed to open any program you want. You have install a very small program from a provided disc to do this. It takes seconds to install and only seconds to program the buttons.
Does the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse have trouble working on Windows 7?
I have had some trouble programming the buttons and have since given up. When I try to program a button to bring up Microsoft Word it does nothing when I press the button. When I tried to program my e-mail, the button would only open the default program and not the one I changed.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse is meant to work on Windows 2000, XP, or Windows Vista. My laptop has Windows 7, and this could be why the programmable buttons are not working well.
The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse is perfect for the price
At Amazon.com, the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse costs about $35. This is very cheap compared to other wireless keyboards that can cost up to $90. Those more expensive ones might have the extra features, features that are often just useless, and they tend to use up batteries quickly. The iHome wireless keyboard and mouse has everything necessary, and then some, and at a price that does not break the bank.
Oh, and on top of all that, the iHome wireless keyboard and mouse has a lifetime warranty.
Sources:
Amazon.com: iHome wireless multimedia keyboard and optical mouse
