Just about a year ago I reviewed Vidabox’s Premium Wireless Keyboard with Optical Trackball and came to a pretty simple conclusion; great inexpensive wireless keyboard that didn’t have a Green Button for Media Center use.  The fact that it didn’t include a Green Button came as a downer to me as it is the central way to navigate the Media Center experience. The lack of a Green Button has been on Vidabox’s radar and they recently released a newer model using a laser trackball.

The Vidabox Premium Wireless HTPC Media Center Keyboard with Laser Trackball includes a 2000dpi laser trackball, a Green Button hotkey at the top of the keyboard, improved battery life (6+ months), and redesigned internals to help with better reception via RF.  Throughout my testing I found that the quoted 30-foot wireless range held up pretty well without any major drops that can become frustrating.

Back when I reviewed the optical version my big complaints where the lack of a Green Button and a trackball that moved with the slightest touch (kills batteries over the long haul and puts a mouse pointer on your screen).  Both of these issues have been fixed with the laser trackball version and it is still a solid keyboard that I would recommend highly.

Buy here

Included in the box:

Premium Wireless Keyboard with Optical Trackball

Three AA batteries

USB Receiver

Pros:

Inexpensive ($69.99)

Designed for your lap

Laser Trackball/Mouse works very well

Cons:

Control takes getting use to

Photos (Click for larger view)