Kensington K72336US Wireless Presenter with Laser Pointer and 2 GB Built-in Memory (Black)

I own a Kensington 33374, the predecessor to this product and one of the most popular wireless presenters on Amazon. As I wrote in my 4-star review of that device back in March of this year: "One way that Kensington could make their next model more useful would be for the USB adapter to double as a thumbdrive. Since you'll be plugging it into the host computer anyway, why not put your presentation on it?"

My prayers were answered.

This model is practically identical to its predecessor; why mess with a good design? (The 33374 currently has 152 customer reviews averaging 4.5 stars.) It lacks the heft, chrome and fancy features of high-end presenter models--there are no programmable buttons, no mousing capability--but has all of the basics down pat: Just plug the tiny USB dongle into the computer you want to use (there are no drivers needed on any recent version of Windows or Mac OS X), then use the left and right arrows to flip from slide to slide and the top arrow to point a bright red laser point. (The lower button toggles blackout mode in PowerPoint, which is nice if you want to focus your audience's attention on something other than the slides for a moment.) It's simple, comfortable--and now it has 1GB of storage, enough for hundreds of ordinary PowerPoint presentations. The design is also slightly improved by replacing the distracting flash of metal around the controls with a high-contrast black color.

Any downsides? The price point is significantly higher, so you should think about whether the convenience of the built-in memory is worth it. One of the great features of the device is that the USB dongle slides right in when it's not in use. Some people keep a USB thumbdrive on them at all times. If you do, and if the computers you're going to be presenting on are sure to have 2 open USB ports, then you could save yourself a few bucks with the older model. But if you enjoy having everything in one single, simple package, then the premium is well worth it.

I love well designed products that have a clear functional target and meet it. This item does that. It is so hard sometimes for designers and marketers to keep from throwing extras that end up cluttering up the usefulness of something. This presentation tool is simple, elegant, and does what it needs to do very well.

Simple: When I am walking a group through a presentation, the last thing I want is to fumble finger some complicated remote. I've got my mind on a million other things and want SIMPLE technology that WORKS. From trying this with my laptop, the install was simple (plug in the USB receiver), the response is quick, and the buttons are obvious (other than the button that looks like a stop which is actually a black screen, but use this once and you got it). Simple.

Elegant: Each piece of functional design on this device is well done. Having on-board memory with the USB receiver is smart thinking. Storing the receiver in the device and at the same time, using that as a means to toggle the device on and off is clean, well thought out design. The tactile feel and heft just feels good.

Ergonomic: 4 buttons, each with a solid use to a presenter: forward, back, laser, and screen blank is all that is needed and is all that is present. Nice. As someone who does loads of presentations, that's all you need until you get into the realm of an air mouse Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse). I have large hands and don't want something the size of a car remote, this device feels comfortable in my hands without being too large and clunky.

The Bad:
So, why the 3 stars? There is just no getting around the price of this item. At the time of the review, the price is way too high. Price it around $35 (less than half the current price) and many people would be looking at this. A few more dollars over the current price and you have an air mouse, much more functionality. Heck, you can get a Kensington mouse with similar wireless functionality for presentations (no memory though) that is less than half the price... Kensington SlimBlade Presenter Mouse, Wireless Mouse and Presenter in One (Ice Blue) K72283US. Oh, and the manual is just horrible. Trying to put all the languages after each other is so bad, confusing, and useless that I am astounded that anyone at Kensington agreed to print it. Thankfully the manual is not a reflection of their product.

So, while I would like to shake the hands of the design team, either they put way too expensive components in this device or the pricing team for Kensington bumped their heads one too many times. No way does the current price point make sense.

Pros:
- simple, easy to use functionality that works
- well thought out design
- great heft and feel to it
- USB memory is nice

Neutral:
- laser is ok, but would be GREAT if it were the green ones out now

Cons:
- price
- terrible manual
- price

When I received the Kensington Wireless Presenter, I was hoping it would help me with my Powerpoint Presentations which I give to my students. I'm an elementary school librarian, and often have to sit desk-bound behind the children while they watch the screen and instruct them while they are facing away from me. This "wireless presenter" (which is simply a combined remote control/laser pointer) is very handy in allowing me to stand in front of the children, by the screen and point and click my way through Powerpoint presentations without having to stand by the computer. Simply load the presentation onto the flash-drive which is included, start the presentation from the flash-drive, and then direct it forward or back using the remote. The cost for this presenter is the sticking point, $75 - my computer specialist here at school bought several wireless mouses (with laser pointers) for teachers at her other school for a mere $45, and it not only could do everything this remote could do, it also was a mouse for the computer. Cheaper, and more useful all around. The instructions included are next to useless (in eleven different languages!) but it's a simple device, and even computer novices should have little trouble in figuring it out.