Keyboard

XGene Trackball Keyboard

Today we take a look at another wireless MCE keyboard from Xgene. This is the second keyboard we have seen from this company. MCE keyboards have gained in popularity lately, with everything but Windows Vista Basic coming with Media center it is easy for people to get in to using their PC for TV, Movies, and Music. This Keyboard boast more features than our previous model so let’s take a look and see what Xgene is offering us this time.

Out of the box we find the same basic setup as the previous wireless keyboard. A small USB receiver as well as 2 AA batteries, there is a small basic Manual which looks remarkable like the manual from the first keyboard.

On the left side we have a full featured media control with all the features of a standard MCE remote control with an integrated scroll wheel thrown in for good measure . The scroll wheel functions just like your standard mouse wheel. Above that is a basic set of left and right click buttons.

Moving to the other side we have a full size number pad. This is something the previous keyboard lacked. But it is understandable as the previous Xgene Keyboard we looked at was a smaller more compact design. The number pad comes in handy more when you are using the keyboard for regular computer tasks. Other than keying in TV channels I have not found much need for a number pad in Media Center.

Above the number pad we have a track ball; this basically takes the place of a physical mouse.

Over all the keyboard has a good solid feel, it’s a bit larger than our other Xgene keyboard though this one is thinner.