Installation, Testing and Comparison:

My HTPC has Windows 7 Home Premium on I, I plugged the USB dongle in and turned the keyboard on it worked perfectly and I didn't even have to pair it either. It installed automatically in a few seconds.

There are a couple main features of the Aurora of course, the first being that it's wireless. I found the range to be excellent, since it's radio frequency I could be in the next room on the other side of the wall and it would work.

The next feature of course is the laser trackball. The trackball is used in place of your mouse, it's located on the right side while there are two button on the left that are your mouse buttons along with a scroll wheel as well. On the bottom of the keyboard are hand holds, so you can comfortably hold the keyboard and use the trackball and mouse buttons with no issues.

The laser trackball also features three adjustable DPI settings of 400, 800 or 1200. To switch DPI settings you just hit the function button and then one of the settings. I'm using my HTPC with my HDTV set at 1080P resolution and I found that 800DPI is perfect for running across the screen while retaining accuracy.

The trackball works very well though, it's accurate and doesn't skip around as one might expect. Before I received the Aurora for review I was using a corded X-Gene Multi-Media keyboard that features an optical trackball and many other features that the Aurora doesn't have. The big difference though is that the X-Gene is a full sized keyboard, and of course it's corded. While I like the X-Gene keyboard, it's just a bit too big and it has a cord so I have no freedom. The features that the X-Gene keyboard has I really didn't use anyway so I didn't miss them expect for one thing it has back and forward buttons for browsing. I really miss that feature on the Aurora, other than that though I love it.

The function keys are nice to have but personally I don't use them that much, at the blue labels ones on the keyboard. The special ones at the top I do use like volume and play/pause for movies and music.

As far as construction and aesthetics, the Aurora is very nicely made and looks great. The layout works well, for those familiar with laptops and netbooks it will be very easy to use, and even if you're not you'll still find it easy.

The keys are nice to type on, again it's just like a laptop or netbook, but these feel a little bit higher though, which is good.

There is one other improvement I'd make to the Aurora besides the addition of the back/forward browser buttons, well actually two; I'd like to be able to reprogram the keys and I'd also like to see an on-screen display as well for things like the volume control.

As is though the Aurora is a great HTPC keyboard really that I can easily recommend you buying...