Which external USB or Bluetooth keyboard will you use?

[Charbax]

I don't know how usable the Pandora built-in keyboard is going to be. From pictures it looks like it will be useful only as a blackberry type thumb-keyboard. So external USB or Bluetooth keyboard options could be useful if you want more productivity.

I have used this Fellowes Stowaway foldable full sized USB keyboard since I bought it for my Archos PMA400 in 2004:

It still works great. But I would like to find some more compact design available since then such as:

I wonder if Stowaway has a USB version without that PDA stand thing of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvMQphEFaE0

Anyone know some really good foldable Bluetooth keyboards such as:

Nokia foldable bluetooth keyboard:

Perhaps a bluetooth or USB infrared on table keyboard:

 

[AireTamStorm]

Apple Bluetooth Keyboard for me.

 

[Kyosys]

Do you have any idea how long I have been looking for a foldable keyboard like that? I have never been able to find one, only rollable ones made of silicone.

It'd be great if someone could point me to some shops, preferably european, but I'll take anything, really

 

[corsec67]

I might use my FrogPad, if only because I already have one, and don't have any other folding USB keyboard.

 

[Prometheus]

I have this laptop-sized/layout keyboard. Non-folding, but works nicely. (I also use it with my Wii, on occasion.)

 

[Forcen]

What about a wireless mouse with an USB receiver??

 

[Chip]

Anything that works with generic USB keyboard / mouse drivers (nearly every keyboard and mouse made) will work with the Pandora.

 

[Kyosys]

Not directly if it's usb 1.1

 

[FrozenIpaq]

For those getting a Pandora and would like a small, compact keyboard: http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00666 Doesn't fold but has a small footprint (unsure how touch typing would be on it)

 

[Kyosys]

I saw that, but I'd rather have a foldable one...

 

[mechanizeddeath]

I'm wondering about this too. Having never used one, I would value the opinions of those who have. I do have one of the roll up keyboards, and while useful in a pinch it isn't really comfortable for extended use. Regarding the Bluetooth models, how are they on battery life in real world use?

 

[Drack]

This bluetooth one looks great.

 

[javaJake]

I might use my FrogPad, if only because I already have one, and don't have any other folding USB keyboard.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2113299498_dd0090e89d.jpg[img][/url][/quote]

By the way, how well does this work? Or, more precisely, what kind of WPM do you get, and how long did it take you to get there?

 

[Charbax]

This bluetooth one looks great.

That is the one I have, in the USB type. I have been using it as my main keyboard since 2004 and it still works really great. It's true full sized keyboard that folds into 4 parts. But when folded it's still kind of big, probably about the same size as the Pandora when folded.

That's why that other iGo bluetooth keyboard looks better I think:

A video of its folding functionality is available here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lvMQphEFaE0

A quick search on Ebay shows it as available: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid ... Categories

Starting at around $40.

I wonder, will such basic bluetooth keyboard be directly compatible? Does the Pandora need a special driver for that specific bluetooth keyboard given its special Fn key combinations?

I contacted iGo, they said they have stopped manufacturing keyboards. But it looks like Targus has taken over the Fellowes Foldable keyboard design. Hopefully Targus is still manufacturing those, as well as the super compact, smaller iGo foldable bluetooth one. Perhaps the iGo as a USB keyboard would be perfect and most compact. Cause no need for that PDA stand thing that they have, and the bluetooth function puts kind of an unecessary bump on the front of the keyboard.

I am considering getting this other Targus foldable USB keyboard: http://targus.com/US/product_details.asp?sku=PA875U01X

Or perhaps an even better foldable USB keyboard design is this TabletKiosk foldable USB keyboard: http://tabletkiosk.com/tkstore/pc/viewP ... roduct=165

 

[corsec67]

I might use my FrogPad, if only because I already have one, and don't have any other folding USB keyboard.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2113299498_dd0090e89d.jpg[img][/url][/quote]

By the way, how well does this work? Or, more precisely, what kind of WPM do you get, and how long did it take you to get there?[/quote]

I don't use it any more, because I don't have anything like the Pandora that could need it.

I tried to use it as my main keyboard, but it really doesn't work for putting in lots of symbols, like when coding. When I was using it to type English, it was ok. I don't know how much better it would be than the thumbpad on the Pandora, to be honest.

 

[sukhi-2006]

I will use the built in keyboard on pandora, what's the point of having built in keyboard if you are not going to use it, end of the day it has all the features with built in keyboard which is the best thing happened to a games console.

 

[Zarneth]

I'll be using the built-in keyboard. Because otherwise you'll be completely killing the portability and may aswell just go buy an eee or something. :huh:

 

[magicman5421]

That's the bluetooth keyboard I have (the one on the top). I've never had any trouble with the fn keys, and i've used it with my ubuntu laptop. thus, either it takes the regular keyboard driver or it takes a driver already written for linux. either way, it should be compatible.
btw i love that keyboard.

 

[yonder711]

sukhiextreme, i hear you about the built in keyboard but there are situations that come up short. Really i think the built in KB is great but it is a thumb board and i havent felt it but the keys may be more button like than on a keyboard. This does not bode well for touchtypeing for office app use. Also if we are really going to plug this into the tv im not sure how long the cable is but im not sitting next to the tv im on the couch.
I would love the dinovo mini as it has a touchpad and bluetooth. To small to touch type but my butt is still on the couch.
http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.ph ... ept_id=015

 

[Origin]

I might explore the idea of taking notes in some of my classes on the Pandora, which is probably the only need I see that requires a full keyboard. So, I'll probably be keeping a look out for good deals for those keyboards. Thanks for the user reviews here.

Mobile Tech Review has a nice roundup of almost all of the ones that were mentioned, seems the iGo one was taken over by "Think Outside".

Mobile Tech Review on Mobile Keyboards: [url=http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tips/keyboards.htm]http://www.mobiletechreview.com/tips/keyboards.htm[/url]

-Origin