PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series

by Palm

Product Details

Product Manual [2.16mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007BI0H
• Item model number: P10900U
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 25, 2002

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Ultrathin Palm Keyboard on the Market, March 16, 2003

By 

MartyHansen (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series (Office Product)

This remarkable ultrathin Palm keyboard is made by Stowaway, the same folks who delivered the original fold-up Palm keyboard. I've used other ultrathin keyboards from Belkin (two of them) and Pocketop (the one that connects via infrared), but this version from Palm is definitely the best of the bunch.

The Palm/Stowaway ultrathin comes housed in a sleek, aluminum skin that unfolds in the middle to reveal a comfortable, full-size keyboard. The small size is achieved by removing the top row of numbers, and by splitting the space bar down the middle. Typing is remarkably accurate. Keeping my thumb to one side of the dual space bar took a bit of practice, as did inputting numbers using the "function" key and the top row of letters. Fortunately, there's also a "function lock" key which accomplishes this feat full-time.

This ultrathin keyboard is striking for its extraordinary small size and sleek appearance. It never fails to elicit oohs and aahs when I unfurl it in meetings. And people are still impressed that I can take notes - and input action items directly into my to-do list - without ever having to use traditional pen and paper.

I might also mention that the ultrathin keyboard stays completely rigid when it's open. This is great for typing on one's lap (like a notebook computer) -- which is something my previous Palm keyboard wouldn't do since it was floppy in the center.

I've tried other ultrathin keyboards from Belkin (2) and Pocketop, and all are decent; but none are as good as the Palm. The Belkin units position the shift key in an inconvenient position far out to the right. And the Pocketop requires a special stand and reflector in order to receive the keyboard's infrared signal, which made the combined unit (keyboard and stand) much more cumbersome to carry.

Since it fits easily into my pocket, I've found the Palm ultrathin to be my keyboard of choice for taking to meetings. At my desk, however, I still prefer the original Palm keyboard, since inputting phone numbers and due dates into my Palm is something I do quite frequently, especially when I'm checking my voice-mail.

Installing the software is very straightforward. If you plan, however, to use both keyboards (old and new) as I do, here's a watch out. The ultrathin keyboard software will replace the original keyboard software when you install it. Both keyboards will run just fine. But strangely, I've found that I need to soft boot my Palm whenever I switch between keyboards - since using one will normally screw-up the key recognition by the other.

If you're looking for a keyboard that's more portable and sleek than the original, this new Palm ultrathin is exceptional. Among the new ultrathins - it is definitely the one to get!

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Confusing...at first, December 28, 2002

By 

Thomas C. Nagy "Music Teacher" (Ebensburg, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series (Office Product)

I ordered this keyboard after trying the "Thumbboard" which was an absolute disaster. It took me about two days of trial and error to get the feel of this new keyboard. More challenging was figuring out how to navigate my Palm 515 without switching between stylus and keyboard. However, after persistence and a bit of frustration, the keyboard is a gem. I can now do almost anything with my Palm that I can do with my laptop. The keyword in that last sentence was "almost." If you have a great deal of patience, then this keyboard will work just fine for you!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Tungsten Owners Beware!!!, April 28, 2006

By 

C. Stevens (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series (Office Product)

This keyboard is NOT compatable with the tungsten E or E2s (which do not use the 'universal' connector. I can't say anything about what other models may or may not work with it, but be aware that the Palm 'universal' connector is NOT in fact universal. It may be a marvelous keyboard, but I bought it based on the information that it was compatable with my palm...