- Sleek and ultra-compact design
- Offers comfort and feel of a standard keyboard at nearly half the size and weight of other foldable keyboards
- Small size allows for use in tight, cramped spaces
- Palm Universal Connector
- Compatible with Palm m series, Tungsten series, i705 and Zire 71
The Palm/Stowaway ultrathin comes housed in a sleek, aluminum skin that unfolds in the middle to reveal a comfortable, full-size keyboard. The small size is achieved by removing the top row of numbers, and by splitting the space bar down the middle. Typing is remarkably accurate. Keeping my thumb to one side of the dual space bar took a bit of practice, as did inputting numbers using the "function" key and the top row of letters. Fortunately, there's also a "function lock" key which accomplishes this feat full-time.
This ultrathin keyboard is striking for its extraordinary small size and sleek appearance. It never fails to elicit oohs and aahs when I unfurl it in meetings. And people are still impressed that I can take notes and input action items directly into my to-do list without ever having to use traditional pen and paper.
I might also mention that the ultrathin keyboard stays completely rigid when it's open. This is great for typing on one's lap (like a notebook computer) -which is something my previous Palm keyboard wouldn't do since it was floppy in the center.
I've tried other ultrathin keyboards from Belkin (2) and Pocketop, and all are decent; but none are as good as the Palm. The Belkin units position the shift key in an inconvenient position far out to the right. And the Pocketop requires a special stand and reflector in order to receive the keyboard's infrared signal, which made the combined unit (keyboard and stand) much more cumbersome to carry.
Since it fits easily into my pocket, I've found the Palm ultrathin to be my keyboard of choice for taking to meetings. At my desk, however, I still prefer the original Palm keyboard, since inputting phone numbers and due dates into my Palm is something I do quite frequently, especially when I'm checking my voice-mail.
Installing the software is very straightforward. If you plan, however, to use both keyboards (old and new) as I do, here's a watch out. The ultrathin keyboard software will replace the original keyboard software when you install it. Both keyboards will run just fine. But strangely, I've found that I need to soft boot my Palm whenever I switch between keyboards since using one will normally screw-up the key recognition by the other.
If you're looking for a keyboard that's more portable and sleek than the original, this new Palm ultrathin is exceptional. Among the new ultrathins it is definitely the one to get!
Buy PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series Now
I ordered this keyboard after trying the "Thumbboard" which was an absolute disaster. It took me about two days of trial and error to get the feel of this new keyboard. More challenging was figuring out how to navigate my Palm 515 without switching between stylus and keyboard. However, after persistence and a bit of frustration, the keyboard is a gem. I can now do almost anything with my Palm that I can do with my laptop. The keyword in that last sentence was "almost." If you have a great deal of patience, then this keyboard will work just fine for you!Read Best Reviews of PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series Here
This keyboard is NOT compatable with the tungsten E or E2s (which do not use the 'universal' connector. I can't say anything about what other models may or may not work with it, but be aware that the Palm 'universal' connector is NOT in fact universal. It may be a marvelous keyboard, but I bought it based on the information that it was compatable with my palm...Want PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series Discount?
Frankly, I love this keyboard, and enjoy using it.I think the complaints about the 4-row limitations
are of no real importance in general use
(accountants and programmers may disagree!)
and find it generally to be a sweet little contraption.
My only complaint / concern is its fragility.
I'm generally extremely careful about such things,
but it slipped from my hand (folded and latched)
and fell to the carpeted floor once; it has been
reluctant to close ever since.
It still works just fine it just no longer wants to close,
and every time I do so, I wonder if *this* is going to be
the time I break it.
I find that very annoying, and my joy in it is dimmed:
tools one must fuss over are counter-productive.
It's a rough-&-tumble world, and products must be
rugged enough to survive actual use in the real world;
this accident was as mild and moderate as they come,
& a productivity tool aimed at busy people on the move
should provide greater dependability than this.
Before this I owned a Palm V with the stowaway keyboard which I already rated high. But the ultraslim types just a little bit better. And I make my money typing .. so I'm a real hardcore user (also on graffiti).
pro's
First: it is stable. You can use it on your knees and in bed. Quite an improvement over the older keyboard I used... although the Mrs might think different about that :)
Second: key-quality is better. You have better control over your typing. I now know when I miss a letter (like I know it on my notebook) and that was a feeling I lacked using my older keyboard.
Third: it is fixed and firm. You can actually move the whole shebang while shifting locations without having to fold it. That alone saves me a lot of time.
Fourth: it is so much smaller im comparission with my older keyboard, while having the same functionality.
On the other side, the slim size comes with one 'problem': It has only 4 rows of keys. Although everything is present with green or blue FN keys, it forces me to look at my keyboard more than I would like to and it makes me hit air, while I'm looking for backspace ... something I still have to got used to.
In all a great piece of work, small and firm. Definately a must have.
No comments:
Post a Comment