Cost: $54 (most places; I found mine for $34)
Interface: Wireless via USB
Platform: Playstation 3 (Works on PC, Mac and Wii (no trackpad on Wii))
The Logitech Cordless MediaBoard for Playstation 3 is an all-in-one Keyboard and Mouse. It says that it is for Playstation 3, but I have tested it on a PC and it worked perfectly without any driver installation. To be more specific, I built a new system and used it to setup my BIOS settings for the first time, then to install the operating system.
The MediaBoard features a standard keyboard, without number pad and the (annoying-to-a-mac-user) Windows key. It instead has keys for left and right mouse clicks, such that you could keep one hand on the trackpad and use the other to click. The MediaBoard is also very light making it perfect for use with the PS3 as an alternative to using the on-screen keyboard to enter information or write messages.
The trackpad is 2″ x 1 3/8″ and has a vertical scrollbar sensor on the right side. It also has the obligatory left and right mouse buttons right below. It’s useful for the Internet Browser and other areas where a mouse appears. The trackpad can also be used for directional navigation, just like the arrows (swipe a stroke left to move over left a spot, same with right, up, and down).
One of the downsides of this MediaBoard is that it doesn’t have any (explicitly marked) Playstation buttons. There are keys that act as the buttons (like “Enter” is the “X” button, “Esc” is “Square”…), but even they aren’t marked as such. I guess this makes it easier for people using it on computers, but after all it is being sold as “for Playstation 3”. It also lacks the standard Playstation button used for some specific console control (like startup and system menu).
Overall, I enjoy the MediaBoard. It is the perfect lightweight combination of keyboard and mouse for gaming consoles (given it works on other systems) as well as media centers. I think the only thing I would change is a slightly bigger trackpad and a PS button.
8.5/10