Customer Reviews

LandWare GoType Keyboard for Handspring Visor

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'm a much bigger fan of the Targus folding keyboard. For starters it folds into the size of a handspring. Second of all the Landware version's keys are incredibly small. The one feature benefit of landware is that it's a rigid design so it can be used on your lap - while the Targus version is very flexible and needs to be placed on a flat surface to type.

I looked at both keyboards and wasn't as impressed with the Stowaway as much as the Gotype. The Gotype is a better value ($69 vs $99) since it comes with word processing software and a thesaurus, plus fuctions as a second cradle (even includes the USB cable). What suprised me the most was that I can type faster on the Gotype than I can on my PC, even though I have pretty big hands. The other plus is that it is stable and slightly inclined, where the Stowaway sits flat and tends to curl on the ends which causes it to bounce when you really get going. I have also seen/heard of the key caps popping off of the Stowaway, but I am told that in later shipments this was corrected. The only drawback to the Gotype vs. the Stowaway is storage compactness; the Gotype is a bit harder to carry around, though Landware does makes a case that allows you to carry both the Visor and the Gotype together. If you use your Visor the way I do, which is for everything that I can think of, especially extensive note taking, the Gotype is a must. Be prepared to attract some attention the first time you use it in public.

I purchased 2 of these when I pre-ordered and thought it would be worth keeping both to share in the office. I was wrong. While the GoType for the Visor is faster to use than the stylus for straight entry, it was difficult to master the keyboard buttons that correspond to the PDA. It is also a little large to carry in a pocket, although a woman may get away with carrying it in her purse/backpack. At that point it loses the immediate practicality in my experience.

I also bought the Targus folding keyboard for a few dollars more when it was introduced, and that would be my Handspring-down choice. The Targus folds neatly into a suit-pocket appropriate size and has a roomy feel when extended for typing. I would say that the Targus is twice the keyboard for 10% more in price. Borrow a GoType to try and then buy a Targus to keep and use. You will definitely prefer the Targus.

I wish Landware had made this keyboard just a bit larger. Despite my compact hands, the keyboard size is in that region where it's OK, but not great. I would rather sacrifice compact portability for greater ease of use. And in any event, this is an item that will be carried in a briefcase and not a pocket. I also would have liked a Home and End key included on the board.

I like the solid feel of the keyboard and its stability. This keyboard can be used on the lap. The key action feels good.

The included software has both a mini-word processor and a Thesaurus. One can import and export documents to and from the word processor. All my existing applications work with the keyboard. The included software makes this board very desirable.

There is no delay between the click of a key and the appearance of the character on the Palm screen. This is the primary reason why I bought the Go keyboard rather than Palm's folding keyboard, which reviewers say has a slight delay. That sort of thing drives me bonkers.

I used to have a Palm Vx with a GoType Pro that proved to be more than excellent for light word processing needs. It almost seems that Landware *improved* the action and performance of the keyboard for the Visor model. Yes, it is small, but it is a *much* more solid product that the Targus/Palm keyboard. I have yet to see one of these actually open, extend, and close properly. I found the keys to be excellent for touch-type and not all that difficult to work with. Add to that the fact that it doubles as a HotSync cradle , that it's $30 cheaper, and you quickly see that it's a better value. It would be interesting to see Landware make a PalmOS unit.

You want a keyboard. You're sick of entering everything with the stylus and I don't blame you. Now you have to decide between the Landware GoType Pro and the Targus fold-up model. I picked the GoType because it seemed sturdier, more durable, doubled as a HotSync cradle, and came with free software. It's also cheaper.

When I opened the box I was shocked to see how small the GoType is -- it folds down into a very compact unit. I admit I was slightly worried about the small keys but I adjusted to them within an hour. The pull-out foot at the base of the keyboard makes it balance perfectly on my lap. The design is very functional -- MemoPad, DateBook, Address Book buttons right on the keyboard, the screen tilts at a nice angle, and there's a slot for your stylus. Now I lie on my bed and use my Visor and keyboard rather than sitting at my desk to use my PC. I didn't expect much of the free software, but I was pleasantly surprised. TakeNote is a full-featured word processing application! I'm now using it in place of Wordsmith.

I unhesitatingly recommend this product. I only wish I'd ordered it sooner.

Like a lot of other new PDA owners, I found myself desperate for an alternative to Graffiti within two days of picking up the stylus of my Visor Neo for the first time. I didn't mind the (slow, aggravating, inaccurate) handwriting system for quick functions like jotting down assignments or contacts, but when it came to typing notes in class, I simply couldn't keep up.

That's when I started looking at the GoType and Stowaway keyboards. I liked the small storage and large full foldout size of the Stowaway, but ultimately decided on the GoType because of its lower cost and sturdier design. Many of my classes are held in lecture halls with those tiny, barely-adequate fold-away writing desks, and I also find myself wanting to type up documents on my lap when I'm travelling or not at a desk. In these situations, the one-piece construction of the GoType excels over the Stowaway. What's the point of getting the compact Stowaway if you have to carry a 14" sheet of plywood around with you to stabilize it?

I toss this keyboard without any additional protection into a backpack stuffed with books, keys, and art supplies several times a day without any concern for its safety, and haven't noticed any wear and tear on it since I bought it 4 months ago. Since buying the GoType, I've completely replaced my laptop with my Visor at school and on the road. Using either the bundled text software or Documents to Go, I've typed reams of notes, completed homework assignments, answered long emails, and written entire papers on my Visor, things that would have taken me an eternity to do with Graffiti. This keyboard has made it possible for me to go pretty much paperless at college, with the added benefit of weighing at least 5 pounds less (Visor included) than the Toshiba Satellite laptop I used to lug to campus.

Other features I like are the foldback panel that allows you to keep your bulky Springboard modules plugged in (very handy when I want to use my Visorphone for wireless Internet access), and the USB Hotsync cable.

Only one negative: As others have mentioned, the keyboard *IS* rather small, especially for men, and may take some getting used to. The problem is not so much with the width of the keyboard, which is only a bit more narrow than the average laptop, but with the height of each key, which honestly appears to be only 2/3 the measurement of a normal key, making it very easy to accidentally type "3" instead of "e" or something similar. (Regular keys=square; GoType keys=rectangle with 3/8" height) If you are concerned about this, I recommend heading to a Best Buy or CompUSA nearby and testing out the GoType for typing comfort before ordering.

This product is amazing. I didn't know if the keys would be to small, but they are a perfect size. This prodcut is a lot more stable than the Targus Foldable Keyboard. It also has a USB cable inclueded if you are using Windows 98/Me for hotsync. It also has a protective cover to protect the keys. The Keyboard has a stablizer on the back so it doesn't flip over. Definitly buy this one. You can use it on your lap, or at school, work or on a plane(for travel).

I upgraded to a Visor setup from my old Palm Pro, and this was the first accessory I bought--I simply could not live without a keyboard. I write for a living and often compose full articles this way--I call it my "laptop killer."

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the GoType Pro is subtly but significantly improved over the old model--namely, the key response is crisper, the angle of the keyboard is more comfortable, and the arrow keys have been repositioned. Being able to HotSync through the keyboard (with the included USB cable) is a nice perk. I often find myself writing on commuter trains, keyboard and Visor propped up on my knees--and as uncomfortable as that sounds, the GoType makes it fairly easy and managable. I'm thrilled with this purchase.

I bought this thinking I'd save [some money] compared to the Stowaway. What a mistake! I eventually gave this away and bought the Stowaway and the difference is like day and night. (Shows buying cheap costs more in the long run). The GoType keys are not the high quality keys found on the Stowaway, which are just like my IBM Thinkpad. They are small (spcing between keys vertically is really small) and they rock, and as a fast typist I get occasional errors. It seems sometimes that the keys do not register if I press off center on them, which happens when you type fast. The small size of the Stowaway allows me to carry it everywhere, while I found I left the GoType in the office. So I end up using it so much more. ....