Reddit mentions: The best office presentation remotes

Most remotes should work with a Mac, unless they're doing something fancy. They usually just emulate a USB HID (keyboard), and send key presses when you push the buttons (left, right, F5, Esc., etc.).

I use and love this one on my Mac:

Keyspan by Tripp Lite PR-PRO3 Presentation Remote Pro Wireless w Laser, Mouse, Audio Controls

It has the usual controls, plus a little track point, laser, volume and scroll controls, and a handy "blank screen" button.

If you're using it with PowerPoint, you have to set a keyboard shortcut on your Mac to map the F5 key to "Start Presentation", because that's the key PowerPoint uses. Other than that, everything "just works".

I did quite a bit of research on these before I bought this one. It's not as pretty or slick as some of the other ones, and doesn't have some of the fancy bells and whistles, but it's excellent at what it does, and that's what I was after. I highly recommend it.

As far as the keyboard goes, I think some of the desktop solutions like Envelop allow you to use your computer's webcam to view your keyboard. As far as the mouse solution goes, I think using a ring mouse might be interesting, although I tend to think it may get confused once you're facing different directions. Might be interesting to try though.

Sounds like this would be the cheapest, and probably would have the best looking end-result. But it will take time and work to get it designed, built, and coded correctly. I found a powerpoint clicker that will suffice for now but I think the arduino option will be my long term goal since I'm sure I will find more things that I want macros for. Plus it doesn't matter how I chop up this clicker. It's not going to look very good...

This is the clicker in question and I talked about why it will should work in a different comment below.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NC2VS6I/ref=twister_B07PJHHQMH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

There are Bluetooth presenter devices like this...
Satechi Bluetooth Smart Pointer Mobile Presenter and Remote Control for iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, iPad, Samsung Galaxy S8, MacBook Pro/Air and more (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A3WRM5G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_t-8cAbB6PBKSS

But the iPad lightning USB camera adapter will allow you to use almost any standard clicker with keynote and PowerPoint. I’ve used Logitech’s, Kensington’s, and PerfectCues plugged straight into the iPad.

Since there are no USB-C receiver presentation remotes available yet your best bet will most likely be one that uses Bluetooth.

The Siri remote has bluetooth:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205329

I agree with not using a phone for it. They won't have tactile buttons and you will have to look at it frequently to press the correct button. It may also go to sleep/lock right when you need it.

Specialized presentation remotes are cool too (they have laser pointers):
https://www.amazon.com/Satechi®-Bluetooth-Pointer-Presenter-Control/dp/B00A3WRM5G

It's a bit bigger, but this slide advancer is cheap and has media controls. It would easily fit in your pocket.

You may be better off buying a usb remote to control the slides: https://www.amazon.com/DinoFire-Wireless-Presenter-PowerPoint-Presentation/dp/B012FB0VM8/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?keywords=powerpoint+usb+controller&qid=1567381986&s=gateway&sr=8-13

I don't have an iPhone but I can't imagine apple making it easy for google or Microsoft to integrate controls into an iPhone app.

search for "bluetooth wireless presenter" (I assume your laptop has bluetooth since practically any laptop made in the last 5 years comes with it)

eg: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=bluetooth+wireless+presenter

I always like Logitech products: https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Presentation-Connectivity-Bluetooth-PowerPoint/dp/B07CC7DMX8 this one has a USB receiver, but you could connect via BlueTooth and not use the USB receiver at all. Seems like the bluetooth doesn't work with Apple products, so if you have a macbook or something you might want to keep looking.

You're looking for a presentation remote with a built in mouse like this.

I've found that this actual remote control works very well for controlling PowerPoint presentations on my MacBook, iPad Mini, and iPhone:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A3WRM5G

You do not want to do this with a passive cable or shorting the output channels. (and your #2 is not going to work, and will probably damage the laptop)

It is possible to get some results using a set of resistors, but then you will run into phasing issues on a lot of audio.


The correct way to do this is with a summing circuit. You can get a cheap mixer, or something like this or this to "sum" the channels together, and then get (or make) a breakout cable to take the balanced xlr-mono and convert it to unbalanced trs.

Alternately, you can try to roll your own circuit. (reference: https://www.rane.com/note109.html )

I think this is the specific one I have. It’s the first thing that comes up when you search “presentation clicker”

BEBONCOOL RF 2.4GHz Wireless Presenter Remote Presentation USB Control PowerPoint PPT Clicker https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WQFFZ9I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_q7r6AbTP2H3RW

Not Logitech

Logitech

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Presenter-WAY-Presentation-PowerPoint/dp/B06Y5ZGPX1/ref=sr_1_21_sspa?keywords=bluetooth+presentation&qid=1558827894&s=gateway&sr=8-21-spons&psc=1 joy2key. Problems solved.

I have this one, super cheap and I've been using it for 5 years with no issue

https://www.amazon.com/AMERTEER-Wireless-Presenter-Controller-Presentation/dp/B06XDD3KM3/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1501890481&sr=1-5&keywords=presentation+clicker

Hah, no worries! As for your questions: one computer; a couple of meters; as cheap as possible.

For now, my eyes are on this guy, though there's an even cheaper one (10 bucks) that I'm considering, too.

I really just want it to help during the persuasive speech I have to give in Oral Comm. in a week or so. I don't know if I'll really need it for later (though I might. I doubt I'll get away with giving no speeches for the rest of my stay at the uni), so I don't want to spend too much money on it.

Also, since I live outside the U.S., due to a different currency (and shittier economy) that 5 bucks is more like 14, so there's no way I'm paying more than 20 unless it's a goddamn golden remote from heaven.