how to find a good wireless PowerPoint controller device?

Question

I'm looking for a wireless gadget to advance PowerPoint slides, and would also work with Keynote or whatever on a Mac.

Sub-questions:

(a) What are these things called, so I can search for them.

(b) What is a reasonable price point - the cheap ones seem to be under $20, and name brand seem to be $40 or $50. Do the cheap no-name devices work?

(c) Specific device recommendations.

Answer 1

1. My colleagues and I have always called them clickers.
2. We've had good luck with the cheapies.
3. If you're on a Mac with IR, why not just use the Apple Remote?

Answer 2

Try the Apple Remote app for the iPhone/iPod if you have one. Not bad for 59p

Answer 3

These devices are called "wireless presenters". I can recommend the Kensington Devices, especially this one. You should pay attention at the transmission used: Infrared only works if you point the device directly onto the receiver. Also a laser-pointer is very helpful. All those devices normaly work on windows, mac and linux because they emulate a ordinary keyboard, so you dont have to install drivers.

Answer 4

Or just use a wireless mouse and click in midair. Much simpler and more universal, especially with the large number of laptops around nowadays. You might even have one already.

Answer 5

You can search for "RF Presenters" too.

I'm using this one on Windows and Linux, it works like a charm. No brand, but really cheap and it uses 2 AA's - so, if you forgot to charge and have to do presentation ASAP, just buy more batteries.