HP/Compaq PA840U Stowaway Portable Keyboard for HP/Compaq

by Targus

Product Details

Product Manual [3.29mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches ; 13.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005AMDE
• Item model number: PA840U
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: March 10, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The Targus Stowaway portable keyboard for Compaq iPAQ enables you to quickly and comfortably enter text into your Pocket PC without having to carry around a full-size desktop keyboard. The Stowaway keyboard is a full-size keyboard when open but folds instantly to about the size of your iPAQ. This portable keyboard has the same key spacing as a standard desktop keyboard so it's comfortable to use. Plus, at only 7.9 ounces it won't weigh you down.

This Stowaway keyboard is compatible with Compaq iPAQ 3100, 3600, and 3700 series Pocket PCs. See note below about compatibility with 3800 series Pocket PCs.

Installation of the Keyboard application onto your Compaq iPAQ is done simply via Setup Assistant from the included CD-ROM. Because the Stowaway keyboard only needs power while it is actually being used, the effect on the overall battery life of your iPAQ will be minimal.

To operate the keyboard with your handheld, click the Stowaway keyboard open from its folded position, lay it flat, and slide the keyboard parts together (it's separated into thirds for folding). Then, simply attach your handheld and start typing in a text-based program.

You can do virtually all your work without taking your fingers off the keyboard with the Stowaway. The four custom keys on the right side of the keyboard (Inbox/Notes, Contacts/Word, Calendar/Excel, Tasks/Money) are preprogrammed shortcut keys to activate certain applications, but they can be customized with the Keyboard application.

Placing the Stowaway keyboard on a firm, flat surface offers the best results, because of the folding design. However, you can use it on your lap as long as the keyboard is supported by a magazine or book across its open expanse. --Agen G.N. Schmitz

Special note to customers: An adapter is available that will allow the Targus Stowaway portable keyboard for Compaq iPAQ Pocket PCs to support newer iPAQ models in the 3800 series. This adapter is not for sale, and it is not packaged. To receive the adapter and CD-ROM with required drivers, contact Targus customer service at 877-482-7487 or [e-mail].

Product Description

Targus / Compaq Stowaway Foldable Keyboard for Ipaq PDA's (3600 3700 series)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm ten times more productive now..., March 20, 2001

By	Karen Lopez - infoadvisors.com "Karen" (Everywhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP/Compaq PA840U Stowaway Portable Keyboard for HP/Compaq (Electronics)

We iPAQ users have been waiting a while for this keyboard and now that it's here, I can imagine how I worked without it.

My first impression of it was how it stores (folded). The folded keyboard is rock solid -- it doesn't need a case unless you are concerned with scratches to the finish. It is about the same size at the iPAQ.

The package comes with an 'L' shaped adaptor so that you can charge your iPAQ while it sits on the keyboard. It also comes with a small instruction booklet and a CD. You install the CD on your desktop or laptop, then sync your PDA to to install the software.

Unfolded, the keyboard is much more 'real' feeling than I thought is was going to be. There are dedicated keys for Pocket PC specific apps like Word, Inbox, Excel, Contacts, etc. The keyboard is about the same size as my laptop keyboard, with nearly the same feel.

On problem I did notice was that there is a sharp edge where my wrists rest, but I will try to sand or cover it in the near future.

Some things that keep this from getting 5 starts (but I really wanted to give it 5 five stars):

- The connection REQUIRES the iPAQ to be in portrait mode, so no using a landscape utility to work with (unless you are really good reading sideways)

- The keyboard requires a solid flat surface. If they had included some sort of bar or other device that would lock the center hinge, it would work much better on a softer or uneven surface (like your lap or a bed).

- You still have to use the stylus quite a bit on menus and dialog boxes. For a touch typist, this is a pain.

Being a touch typist, my input speeds are probably 3-5 times what they were with transcriber and about 7 times faster than the virtual keyboard.

I use this mainly in places where my laptop won't fit such as an airplane seat or in meetings where I want to be a bit more discreet (although it gets a lot of attention).

As I said, I can't imagine going without this device. A real engineering feat.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great new product!, March 14, 2001

By	Eric (Palm Harbor, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP/Compaq PA840U Stowaway Portable Keyboard for HP/Compaq (Electronics)

The Targus Stowaway Keyboard makes it easy when using some of the best features of the iPAQ, such as MSWord. If you think that the excitement stops there, your wrong. This nifty keyboard fits right in your pocket and is as small, if not smaller than the iPAQ. Its built in application buttons, and programable buttons make it 10 times easier to navigate the iPAQ, but don't worry, if you ever get lost in your own little iPAQ world, just hit the TODAY button on your keyboard and your right back home. Although it is a little hard to connect when the CF slot is attached, it can be done, and in no way affects its performance. I would recommend this product to anyone who owns an iPAQ and for its farely low price of ... it's well worth the value.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laptop, Jr., May 1, 2001

By	Eddie (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: HP/Compaq PA840U Stowaway Portable Keyboard for HP/Compaq (Electronics)

Finally, relief of stress off the fingers and eyes. It's hard to imagine how I made so far without this keyboard. Without a doubt, this keyboard makes life much, much easier. I used to try to get by using that Transcriber software that came with my iPAQ. It worked fine, but after a while my hand started to really ache. Not only that, it was kind of difficult to concentrate on the notes you are jotting down while at the same time you have to concentrate on writing perfectly so the transcriber can read your writing. And, of course, like any other owner of this product would say, "it's so convenient because you can fold it up and carry it in your pocket." It's almost like carrying a laptop in your pants' pocket.

The "bad" part may be...Well, product reviews say this keyboard is tough and solid. True...when it's folded up. But once you unfold it, it seems kind of flimsy. But what can you expect? Also (it's been mentioned before), there's no locking mechanism to keep the keyboard flat. When you lift it up, it folds down the middle...so you can't really use it on soft surfaces.

Anyway, those aren't the parts that really bother me. What bothers me, and I'm pretty sure it has crossed the minds of the other owners of this product, is the part where the PocketPC docks on to. It has that snappy, thin plastic, metal wire thing going on and kind of gives a feeling of a toothpick holding up an apple when you dock it. I don't know...maybe I'm just paranoid.

Well, none of the "bad" sides of it messed up on me yet so I am not complaining. All I know is that this thing is a savior to my cramping hand. I can jot things down ten times faster.