Customer Reviews

Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for MAC

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The keyboard works as described. Obviously some customers can't understand that "Folding Keyboard for MAC" means a Macintosh. For those who "NEED A WINDOW VISTA compatible" just buy one. And don't "loose your patience" unless it's too tight.

I wanted to use this keyboard with more than one device, pairing as needed. The first inconvenience is the pairing button is one of those that you need to use a pen or toothpick to press, or paper clip. Those kind of buttons are not meant to use routinely and are very inconvenient, especially since the power button is positioned so you do not accidentally push it so why not make the pairing button easier to use while not being in the way?

I was able to pair this back and forth about 10 times, and now the pairing button doesn't do anything no matter how long I push it in or what I use. I can push harder with a pin or try different pokers but that would only break it more. Luckily the pairing button broke with the keyboard paired with my computer I actually wanted to use it with. Another issue is the folding keyboard doesn't seem to be stay flat if in your lap because it folds, but that could be my fault not knowing how to lock it but didn't see how to make it lock in the open position.

All that said it works great once paired and if you have a flat surface to use it on.

Having had several portable keyboards and, most recently, the Think Outside keyboard, I will say that Matias gets it right even though it is a bit larger. However, that size provides for usable keyboard keys and no modifier needs. It turns off and on easily and connects immediately with no interaction or other need. Overall, it's a great keyboard.

Product works well. It sometimes is not recognized by the computer; but it eventually connects. When stored in my travel bag, it inadvertently turns on because of the location of the on/off switch so it can drain the battery. There should be legs on the keyboard so that it angles better than typing on the MacBook keyboard.

Notwithstanding those items, it is excellent and well serves its purpose.

Bought this product to be used as in conjunction with a wireless bluetooth mouse. I was never able to get it to work. The bluetooth adapter did not detect it. The mouse works fine though.

I can only assume that the keyboard is designed for Mac's cuz it has Mac written on the packaging box. No where else states whether it could be used on PC's. Amazon's site also does not mention compatibility.

This is my first I bought a product from amazon and it didnt quite gone well. I order this product knowing they will know what I really want to get. Lack of specification give me alot of trouble buying this product. It said "Matias Bluetooth Folding Keyboard" and as I expected I get the product BUT they send me not really a wrong product but a not compatible product for my computer. I though i'll be getting a Windows Vista compatible but worse case scenario they brought me a Mac COMPATIBLE.

What I did is I contacted the customer service for immediate response on what happen to my ordered product. After all process and done the transaction I waited again for the second time knowing Im getting the right compatible product for my computer. After waiting again and receive my product I didnt expected they'll be giing me aain same product as I stated I NEED A WINDOW VISTA compatible. I loose my patience and finally decided to change my order. I talk to the customer service again and quite give me a relief to refund my money (you wont get refunded by this product if you do it your self, i suggest to contact customer service for this kind of matter) and given me a chance to change my order to another product.

Overall, I didnt get what I want to this product. I wuld like to suggest to amazon to specifically put all the information to the product so customer do really know what they getting. If Im only an average guy who dont know anything about computers I would just throw this non working product in the trash and dont do anything to work this thing out.