Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for MAC

by Matias

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 7 x 2 inches ; 15.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001Q2COXC
• Item model number: FK304
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 5, 2009

Product Description

The Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard is a full-size Keyboard that folds in half for travel. Small enough to fit in your laptop bag, it's the ultimate keyboard for laptop users.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Decent Bluetooth Keyboard but Pricey, December 28, 2009

By 

R. J. Weber "Software Architect" (Blacklick, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for MAC (Personal Computers)

I purchased this keyboard to use with a certain fruit inspired smart phone, and I have found that this is a nifty keyboard. The folding does make it more portable than its non-folding competition. Additionally, the full-size character buttons make typing very easy, and the keys are responsive.

Also, setup is a breeze: no special drivers needed (assuming your bluetooth adapter is setup correctly), and pairing is idiot proof.

I only have three gripes: the keyboard uses two AAA alkalines. I'd much rather a device like this use a Li-ion battery, and for the price, the omission is inexcusable.

Also, the folding action is a bit touchy. I'd almost say it's cheap. It's not a huge problem, but if you're not careful, I can see how it would be easy to break the plastic spine that holds the two ends of the keyboard together. Again, the price of the device makes this issue inexcusable

Finally, the clips that hold the two halves the keyboard together when it's closed might as well not be there. If you jostle the keyboard even a little bit while it's folded, the clips un-clip. Should I bother adding that this device is too expensive for the manufacturer to have let this slide?

In conclusion, I would say that the keyboard is definitely a very functional and useful keyboard. However, for some of the construction flaws related to the folding gimmick, this device is definitely overpriced.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit disappointing, September 23, 2010

By 

Theseus (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for MAC (Personal Computers)

I purchased this keyboard specifically for use with my iPad. At the time I bought it, it was only one of a handful of Bluetooth keyboards designed to be portable/foldable. The best compliment I can give it is that it's adequate, but it certainly is not great and is not worth the price.

First, the plusses:

- Full sized keys with number pad

- Built-in volume control buttons, including mute

- Easy to pair via Bluetooth

- A true "Mac" keyboard with command button and option button

- Uses 2 AAA batteries for power, which means you don't have to worry about charging it when it gets low.

- Typing experience is comparable to most laptop keyboards. Comfortable but won't win any awards.

- Seems to have good range.

Now, the negatives:

- Unnecessarily large. Includes not only a full number pad, arrow keys, page up/down, etc. It also has an extended area on the left of the keyboard that seems to be just wasted space. They could have reduced the device width by about 40-50% had they removed these two features alone. They probably should offer a model with number pad and another without. As it is, when folded in half, it's still as long as my iPad is tall as well as being more than half as wide and a good bit thicker. Eliminates a lot of the portability.

- Can only pair with one device at a time. Not a big deal for me, but might be for some people.

- Flimsy construction. You really feel like you have to be gentle with this, even more so than with the iPad.

- Latching mechanism is unreliable. Often pops open on its own for no real reason except that the hooks that lock the latch are poorly designed

- Power button is poorly placed. When folded in half, the power button sticks out like a sore thumb. I find it turning itself on all the time, forcing me to hunt through my bag and turn it off when I'm using the iPad without the keyboard but needing to tap in a quick email address or something. Given the relatively good range this has, that could mean the keyboard is clear across the room or in another room. You'd think that they'd design the power button to be protected/covered by the design to avoid accidental activation. Nope.

- No way to lock the keyboard open. This is designed to be used on a flat surface, like a desk. It won't work if you're typing with it on your lap as it will immediately collapse at the hinge as you're trying to type. If you put it so that the hinge is supported, suddenly the keyboard becomes a see-saw, and you still can't type.

- Strange tendency to unpredictably add extra characters to your typing, forcing you to correct yourself constantly. You may press a single "a" and, instead, get "aaa" or, sometimes, "aoa" instead. Where the extra letters come from, especially when they are not anywhere near the intended key (such as the "o" in the above example, is a mystery. In typing this review, I've had this sort of thing happen about 5 times.

These problems would be forgivable in a product that cost perhaps $30, but in something this expensive, it really forces you to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, there are few options out there at this time. The only one worth considering is buying Apple's own wireless keyboard, as it is actually smaller than this device, though has no protective case/cover to help you prevent damage.

I've seen news reports about Bluetooth keyboards coming soon that are smaller and more portable than this model and will cost less. I've even seen a report of an iPad case that has a built-in keyboard. These sound like better options than this unit. If you need something now, and you don't already have a spare Apple wireless keyboard lying around, then this might be worth consideration. I could easily see writing long-form papers with this keyboard if necessary. Better solutions are on the way, though, and if you can wait, I'd suggest looking at those alternatives.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!, September 27, 2009

By 

SpazRMe "Patty" (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for MAC (Personal Computers)

I have a mac and this folding keyboard is a perfect travel accessory. It's lightweight and works just like a regular keyboard. I don't have issues with the bluetooth. The only downside is I left it on once and it burned up the batteries. If you turn if off when not in use they last quite a long time. I can't imagine not having one. I would recommend it for the Mac, I can't speak for the pc.