Micro Innovations KB99NT Stealth Wireless Infrared Keyboard

• Uses wireless Infrared technology
• Designed for Windows 95
• 14 programmable hot buttons
• CD control and volume buttons
• Internet launch button

Setup was a cinch, although we did need to load drivers in order to take advantage of the programmable buttons. The keyboard looks and feels good, with nice rounded edges and sides that are easy to grip. It was designed to be able to put in your lap and carry around while surfing the Web. However, because IR technology requires a line of site with the driver, the keyboard didn't always function from a lap or outside of a six-foot range.

The "hot buttons" are the most useful part of the keyboard. You can set each button to whatever function you find most helpful, including instant access to the Web, control panels for your CD player or DVD player, a "close window" function, and one that brings up the "stealth display," where you can reprogram the buttons. The software also features two nicely designed graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for the CD and video players, which are intuitive and look like a standard CD player and VCR.

In order to make the keyboard more compact, the keys were rearranged slightly. Although awkward, we got used to it over time. The biggest gripe we had was with the pointing device built into the keyboard--an I-Point Cursor Pointer, like the kind found on notebooks. Luckily, we could disable the mouse and plug our own back in. However, if you do plan on using the keyboard away from a flat surface, it may be a toss-up between using the irritating cursor pointer and being tethered to the one on your desktop.

Pros:

• Great for multimedia applications
• Volume control on keyboard
• Compact to sit in lap
• Easy to install

Cons:

• Pointing device difficult to use
• IR technology unreliable
• Keyboard layout tricky