Customer Reviews

PalmOne Portable Keyboard for Palm V Series Handhelds

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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 : )

Since I bought this device I have been to using it as much as possible in meetings where I need to take notes, in lieu of a legal pad. In tandem with the Palm, this keyboard is the first product that I have used that is a viable substitute for pen and paper. It is likely an important step toward a true paperless office. I recommend it to anyone with a Palm that needs to input anything longer than a word or two.

At this point, however, I have noted three problems:

1. The stand and socket where the Palm attaches to this keyboard are flimsy, nonintuitive and I have had trouble attaching and removing the Palm. I am not confident that this connection is completely sturdy. The rest of the keyboard feels solid.

2. The keyboard is not really appropriate for true laptop use, as it folds in the back and isn't properly balanced for a lap with the Palm attached. It works fine on an airplane tray table. I am no engineer, but I imagine future models could be designed to correct this. I love looking at this keyboard, it is truly a wonder of design!

3. I had to spend an afternoon on the Internet to figure out how to make my Palm a fully functional word processor compatible with Microsoft Word. Although it turns out that there are several options for this, you have to hunt them down in the places you find Palm shareware. However, the time was well invested as everything is working fine. I wish that Palm itself would publish this kind of software, it seems short and simple. Seems like you should just be able to go online, find it, and buy it in a couple of minutes.

Despite these things, if you have already invested in a Palm, this will enhance the value of your investment.

A while ago, I wrote a review of this product entitled "Very cool, but flimsy..." in which I indicated that, even though the expandable Palm keyboard had changed the way I worked with my Palm V, I'd had some problems with it. A few days ago, I was contacted by the president of the manufacturer (not his administrative assistant), offering to replace my keyboard. I got the FedEx a day later with my replacement keyboard. This kind of concern for my satisfaction impresses me as much as the thinking behind the keyboard itself. As a result of this very positive experience, I need to amend my original review from a lukewarm 3 to an enthusiastic 5. The product's still a great one, but the company's focus on the customer makes it even better.

I've tried other Palm V keyboards with little success. In my experience, the main problem with the other keyboards relates to HackMaster hacks. With all of my hacks in place -- Graspeedy, Menuhack, Contrast Button Hack and PopUp Note -- and with a ton of software on my Palm Vx, including the beta version of the Omnisky/Minstrel wireless software, all functions perfectly. I've tried the keyboard with SmartDoc, QuickSheet, MultiMail, PocketQuicken, HanDBase and all the built-in apps. It works fine with all these apps. The shortcut keys for opening apps and doing specific functions in an app, also work just fine. The folding keyboard is an engineering marvel and, in spite of what others may say, you can use it on your lap. Even the case is well thought out. This is a real winner!

The Palm keyboard is a great invention. This is something that i have waited for a long time since i first purchased the Palm V. I disliked using the Graffity-thing and the mini-keyboard on the Palm V.

Then one day i ran across this keyboard in one of the electronic stores, and the first thing that took my attention is the format of how the keyboard folds out. Breaking from a box into a four piece segment, the farside of the keyboard segment can then be slid together to form a full size keyboard. The attatchment to the palm can also be slid out to the top and fold out to make a stand for the Palm itself. The entire process could be done in a matter of seconds, and apart from installing the program into the Palm, the keyboard is a quick tool for any typing job for the Plam.

The only negative things about the keyboard is that it can't hold together into a one-segment like a normal keyboard can. You need to put it down on a flat surface. It is also relatively expensive and very FRAGILE when folded out, and i really mean it when i say FRAGILE.

Apart from the minor flaws and the price, I personally recommend this product to anyone who owns a Palm.

These days with all the travel and meetings I have to attend, I've become a minimalist in what I carry. First I went from a 7.5 lb notebook computer to a 4lb ultralight with a huge screen. That was a good step.

But even better was the day I bought this keyboard. Now I go to meetings with nothing but what I got in my pockets - a small writing pad, a pen, my Palm Vx, and this keyboard. The only time I'm starving for the ultralight notebook is when I have to give demos.

The Palm V/VX folding keyboard is about the same quality as the highest-rated notebook keyboards - those found on IBM thinkpads. The tactile feel is good, and there's enough travel to satisfy most users. It is a full sized keyboard, going by current day notebook standards. Once you load the driver, it works with every palm app (at least everyone I've ever tried). It doesn't draw too much power off the Palm Vx battery, and I've used it in sessions for 3, 4 hours without any complaints.

One complaint I do have is one that many have - why they didn't put in some sort of sliding, locking mechanism to keep the opened keyboard from folding in the middle, I don't know. But I'm rarely in a situation where I have this thing on my lap - almost always have a flat surface to use it on.

If you purchase this, consider your next purchase to be WordSmith, a wordprocessing program for the Palm OS. I've tried them all, Docs to Go, QuickWord, etc etc, and all seemed to really lag behind my typing speed. Memopad is limited to 4k, which is only a few paragraphs' worth of text, so for serious writing, you need a word processor program, and Wordsmith is the best I've tried so far.

The first thing to do is to load the software provided. Then, if you use your Palm for email also, you will probably end up buying yourself one of the most impressively engineered accessories ever for the Palm.

Compact and light, it folds open, but you need a flat surface. The keys are very user-friendly and comfortable.You will not be using a laptop for much longer on your travels. You can assign different functions to different keys through your Palm. I cannot reccomend it more, especially if you're not always too keen on using graffiti, when inputting a lot of data, emails, etc.

Very impressive, do not hesitate, buy it! You won't be sorry.

I think I've had a Palm V ever since there have been Palm V's. Now I actually have two. Despite that, I'm not really an enthusiast. For the most part I use the device for phone numbers and notes. I'm not particularly fond of the Graffiti alphabet, and generally make my notes using a sketchpad utility or the internal keypad. The Palm's advantage as far as I was concerned was that it was not a laptop, i.e., I could slip it into a pocket.

About a week ago, while travelling, I wanted to write a review while the book was fresh on my mind, and I had no access to a computer. I did have my Palm with me so I decided to write the review using it. I quickly realized that Palms are poor tools for writing anything else but short notes. Since I still had no desire to buy a laptop I decided to pursue another alternative first and bought the Palm Portable Keyboard.

After a few moments of sticker shock, I found myself in possession of a strange box-like device that unsnaps and folds itself into a keyboard with a stand for my Palm V. It only took a few moments to get the software for the keyboard loaded down to my Palm, and then suddenly I could have a Palm with a keyboard any time I wanted. Considering that it folds down to less than the size of a paperback, the keyboard itself is nearly full size. Action is pleasant and positive. It feels a bit flimsy, which is not a surprise, and needs a firm surface under it. Given the physical limitations, it is a tidy piece of engineering

Through some ingenious use of special function keys the keyboard can not only enter all of the Graffiti characters, but also do a pretty good job of replacing the pen for many functions. Don't plan on getting rid of the pen completely, though. There are still places where only the pen can perform the needed command. For my purpose, writing long memos, the keyboard is perfect. Despite its price, it's a pretty ideal palm accessory. If you use you palm mostly for keeping your schedule the keyboard is less useful, and can probably be done without. It's nice to have the option available, however.