iWebKey Wireless Keyboard

Reviewed By: Bill Stiteler

Review Date: December 28, 2000

Developer: Macally

Minimum Requirements: USB-capable Mac, MacOS 9

Retail Price: $169

Availability: Out Now

MacAlly's iWebkey is an odd duck. I was terribly excited when I first heard about it: a wireless keyboard with a built-in mouse? Cool!

And it is pretty cool; cool design, programmable buttons which come preset to open your browser and e-mail apps, and even control of the audio aspect of your CD-ROM and volume settings. It all comes together nicely as a whole package. I'm just not sure what I'm supposed to do with it.

I'll start from the beginning. Installation was a snap. You just plug the IR unit into a USB port and set it just about anywhere. MacAlly does not recommend setting it on top of the monitor, however. I sat mine on top of my tower under my desk, and it worked fine. You then install the control software, which allows you to program the keyboard shortcut buttons. You can customize them to open commonly-used applications, and some come preset to control any music CDs. Of course, if you're using a USB-native Mac, you can set up shortcuts right now in the Keyboard control panel. As I mentioned, the software works with the preferences you've already set, so you don't have to reprogram anything. The iWebkey is truly ready "out of the box."

But there are problems. For one thing, the iWebkey is somewhat cramped, about the size of Apple's original USB keyboard, and without the numeric keypad on the side (it's "built-in" to the standard keys, like on a laptop). It likewise lacks both a power key and a forward delete key. Second, since the keyboard is itself wireless (and requires two batteries --not included--to function), you can't plug any other USB peripherals into it. You give up a port for the keyboard, and get none in return.

Of course, the iWebKey does have a built in mouse. It's a large button-like device on the upper right-hand side which functions well...provided you're right handed. Actually, both lefties and righties are in an awkward position, as the click functions are located on the upper left-hand side of the keyboard. The two mouse buttons which are programmable, but if you set the second one to option-click (the reasonable thing to do), and have to take your hand off the home-row keys to do it, why not just use the option key? Yes, the iWebKey makes mousing a two-handed affair. This, obviously, makes it completely useless for many mouse-driven games.

Other problems came up in use. First, although the keyboard is otherwise very responsive (or as we said in Ohio, "springy"), letters will sometime repeat as though the key was stuck down. Second, the keyboard has no "memory." What I mean is, if you're typing and there's a pause while the processor is running, whatever you typed during the pause is lost. Remember also to keep extra batteries around in case the ones in the keyboard go dead; you get no warning as to battery life.

And finally, the iWebKey's main gimmick, being wireless, is of questionable value. Sure, I can sit across the room and type, but then I can't see the monitor. Apple's Airport is a great idea because I don't have to string ethernet cables all over the office. But a keyboard only has to go a few feet at most, and is mostly hidden anyway, if that's the sort of thing that bothers you.

I actually took some time and tried to figure out situations where the iWebKey might be beneficial. One is for displays, where you don't want someone to have access to the hardware. Another might be for a laptop, if, like me, you find the built-in one awkward. Dragging around another keyboard and losing a USB port in the bargain seems a bit excessive, however.

All in all, the iWebKey is a responsive keyboard with annoying flaws, with benefits you can get elsewhere, designed for a niche I can't think of. It's like an archaeological puzzle. If for some reason you need a keyboard which is wireless for casual typing and little mouse work, but which looks great and is put together well, this is the one for you. For every other user, however, you probably won't see the point.

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