PalmOne Portable Keyboard for Palm V Series Handhelds

by Palm

Product Details

Product Manual [4.40mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004RC2I
• Item model number: 3C10439U
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Tired of using the stylus for tedious "typing" and handwriting on your Palm V organizer? The Palm portable keyboard not only gives you a full-size QWERTY keyboard for touch-typing on your Palm organizer, but also folds up for portable convenience.

The keyboard folds into a 3.5-by-5-inch case that is only slightly larger than the Palm organizer itself. At 0.875 inches thick, the portable keyboard is a little too large to fit into most shirt pockets, but it will fit into a jacket pocket and takes up very little room in a briefcase or purse.

To set up the keyboard driver, we did not need to consult the instruction manual. We inserted the accompanying software disk into our PC and double-clicked the PRC icon on our desktop. We inserted the Palm organizer into its HotSync cradle and pressed the HotSync button. To open the portable keyboard, we slid its side-mounted thumb-switch down, unfolded its panels, and slid the left and right sides of the keyboard together until they locked into place. With only a little experimentation, we found a sliding support behind the portable keyboard's dock connector, into which we slid our Palm organizer. Then, we started the Memo application on the Palm and began typing. In fact, we wrote a portion of this review using the Memo application while typing on the portable keyboard.

Typing on the portable keyboard is much like typing on a notebook PC. The response of the keys is quite comfortable, and the tactile feedback is satisfying. The keys are also positioned well for fast touch-typing. Note that you can only use the portable keyboard on a firm flat surface; you cannot use it on your lap because the keyboard's center hinge does not lock. We also advise that you handle the portable keyboard gently, as it is made from thin and lightweight materials.

For people who need to use their Palm for memos, e-mail, writing reports, or any activity that requires entering more than just a few words, the Palm portable keyboard offers a tremendous convenience, especially given its small size and portability.

Pros:

• True touch-typing for your Palm organizer
• Ultracompact, folding design for portability
• Doesn't require batteries or an external power source
• Attractive styling matches the Palm V

Cons:

• Cannot rest keyboard on your lap
• Lightweight construction

Product Description

Original Palm V Series Folding Keyboard (Brand New FACTORY SEALED In Original Retail Box!!!!)
Palm Part #: (3C10439UU)









Compatibility:

Specifications of the Palm Portable Keyboard

Retail Box Includes:

* Customize quick keys - quickly navigate to your Date Book, Address Book, and other applications at the touch of a button. Up to nine user-programmable keys let you instantly access the applications and programs you use most. * No batteries required - it uses minimal power from your Palm organizer, and no additional batteriesare required. * Palm V Series (V, Vx) Handheld * IBM Workpad C3 Handheld * Dimensions Closed: 3.6" x 5.1" x 0.3" * Dimensions Opened: 13.8" x 5.1" x 0.3" * Key Spacing: 19 mm horizontally and vertically * Key Travel: 3 mm * Weight: 7.9 oz * Keyboard Layout: 100%25 full-size * IBiz Model Number: 3C10439U * Palm V Series Foldable Keyboard * Zippered Neoprene case * Instruction/Owners manual * Software CD * Registration/Warranty card

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kool Keyboard, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: PalmOne Portable Keyboard for Palm V Series Handhelds (Office Product)

Two months after being given a Palm Vx, I found myself looking for a better way to enter information. Numerous trips away from my office computer forced me to develop my abilities with graffiti writing and pecking at the keyboard. Even with practice, anything more than a quick note was a major chore and sure to produce spelling errors.

After waiting for four weeks, my new keyboard arrived and it was worth the wait . . . Now I can keep notes of meetings without transcibing my written notes to my Palm. I could never keep up with the pace of the meeting with graffiti writing or pecking at the tiny keyboard. Now, I touch-type my notes as events happen, and can attach the notes to the meeting in question. The keyboard has a very nice action, and takes away the one major complaint I had about getting data into the Palm when travelling.

The keyboard is about the size of the Palm III, but has the same pleasant anodized appearance as the Palm V. I expected it to be cheap plastic, but was surprised to see it looks like metal. The three hinges are more durable than I expected, but I am not planning on seeing how much stress they will absorb. You probably can type on your lap, but you will be much more satisfied if there is something supporting the three hinges, as they do flex when not supported.

The neopreme case does protect the keyboard, but I do have to remember to pick it up. My Palm Vx stays clipped to my side, because I can not trust myself to remember to pick it up after I set it down. I would consider adding a clip to a keyboard case, but then with a Palm, keyboard and telephone all on my belt, it starts to look like Batman's utility belt. For now, I slide the keyboard into a pocket.

The other people in our office are starting to discover that the Palm, with a keyboard, is a lot easier than toting a laptop around.

EASE OF USE: It takes me 15 seconds to set up the keyboard. I usually take longer than than to get everything out of their cases! The click of one button opens the keyboard. Once laid flat, two sections slide over to make a keyboard with shallow buttons similiar to a laptop. I actually like the action of the keyboard better, and the thin profile allows your wrists to rest on the desk surface. The thicker laptop is less comfortable because I have no support.

The special function keys allow you to move from "phone" to "datebook" to "memo" to "to do list" etc., without having to stop and pick up a mouse.

. . . the keyboard will give you a small computer, rather than just an electronic notepad with an annoying data entry system. My Palm is much more useful, and I would pay twice the price to keep my keyboard.

68 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Fullsized, portable, and easier than Grafitti!, June 8, 2000

By 

Rob "Revuman" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PalmOne Portable Keyboard for Palm V Series Handhelds (Office Product)

Do you hate it when you're using the Stylus pen on your new Palm Vx and every time you make a 'v' the palm displays a 'u' or when you make a 'k' the palm displays a 'y'? Well palm has solved that big problem with the smallest portable full-sized keyboard that has yet to be seen for the Palm.

Simply put, this is the best product out for the Palm so far. Not only is it the same size as a regular keyboard, minus the number pad, but it also folds into one four-section square that snaps shut for easy transportation wherever you take your pal pilot.

It also functions flawlessly with the Palm itself. Just install the program on the disk that comes with it onto the hard drive and then place the keyboard program on the palm using the Palm Manager and you're all set to type away.

Besides its technical strengths, it is also got a strong magnesium casing to it to prevent damage to the keyboard itself in the event of dropping it. It also comes with it's own neoprene case for a little extra padding.

However, since I have to picky in order to best serve you guys who are reading this review, it does have one or two slight problems.

First, the shift button on the right side of the keyboard is a little small. Although aesthetically this may not be a big deal, once you start typing you'll see that every now and then you his the up button rather than the shift key and are typing in the middle of another sentence.

Second, although it's smooth sailing when the palm is attached to the keyboard, taking it off and placing it on the keyboard is a little difficult. The reason is that the platform, although stable, is a little flimsy, comprised of a plastic spine and a thin metal support. One time I almost broke the stand trying to get the palm out of the darn thing.

Don't get me wrong though. Compared to all other keyboards (i.e. the IGo) and all the other things that could have been wrong with it, the Palm portable keyboard is a must buy for people who pack their palm full of notes or anything else. It's quick and easy to use. And although a little more expensive than the IGo, it's worth the extra money and is a quality palm product...just like the palm itself. Enjoy!

RevuMan: Get out of the way Stylus, Keyboard coming through...Peace!

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MAKE YOUR PALM MORE THAN JUST A TOY!, August 15, 2000

By 

Dean (Tampa, fl) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PalmOne Portable Keyboard for Palm V Series Handhelds (Office Product)

This is the best palm product i have bought. It is so compact when it is colapsed that it can fit in your pocket. when the keyboard is open, i can type as fast on it as on a regular keyboard. This in conjunction with a program called co-Launcher lets me launch every app on my Vx with out needing the stylus...just assign co-launcher to one of the keyboard command keys. I use it to take notes in class, keep track of email, write memo's and todo's.

A couple of improvements...It doesn't work if you have afterburner turned on (i'm sure this is afterburner's fault). Also, the arrows default to moving while in a memo that is in edit mode, You have to the function key + arrow to scroll in an email...this is inconvienient for me : (

Bottom line....i would pay double the price for this product. It has made my palm a million times more useful. Now it is more than just a game playing machine : )