Micro Innovations/PockeTop Wireless Keyboard Review

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://compu2go.com/pocketopkeyboard.html">http://compu2go.com/pocketopkeyboard.html</a><br /><br />Compu2Go takes a look at the Micro Innovations IR keyboard, and John Mierau's review is similar to my own take on the device - great concept, less-than-impressive execution. Read the review for yourself though - it might still be a good fit for your needs.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/pocketop.jpg" /><br /><br />"Thinking of upgrading your PDA, only to be held back by all those non-transferable &amp; expensive accessories? Me too! That's why I was so eager to review the Micro Innovations Wireless Keyboard (design by PockeTop, Inc.). For anyone serious enough about writing with their PDA, a foldable keyboard is a must, &amp; I've been using a ThinkOutside/Stowaway folding keyboard for my last two Jornada Pocket PC's. <br /><br />'Course, the hp line of Pocket PC is going the way of the dodo &amp; if I wish to upgrade, I'll have to buy a new keyboard (not a cheap investment regardless of make or model). For me, it's just not upgrading without a keyboard. And so, into my life walks a sliver of hope: the Pocketop keyboard. Well, I have to confess I was so eager for this keyboard that I couldn't even wait for my turn with a Journalist's review sample &amp; went out to purchase one of my very own (bearing the Micro Innovations re-branding) which was the test subject of this review."

[heyday]

I HATE this keyboard.... anyone want to buy mine?

I guess I have Homer Simpson Fat Fingers.

heyday

[ledowning]

I just took delivery of the keyboard yesterday. I ordered it from the Pocketop website. Tried it briefly and had no problems with the infrared connection on my Jornada 568 in portrait mode. The keyboard is quite small and it will take some time getting used typing on it compared to the Stowaway keyboard that I used to have. I sold the Stowaway along with the Jornada 548 that I used to have.

The Pocketop keyboard is a great concept, but I agree that more work needs to be done, especially with the provided stand. I sent Pocketop an email describing possible improvements to the stand, we'll see what happens.

[David C]

The pocketop keyboard is not as compatible to all PDA as they claim it does. I have an E-200, and it does not work with this keyboard. I have email the manufacture many times, and they still refuse to produce a proper driver for it. I think the only thing you can use the pocketop on are Palm, Ipaq, and newer jornadas.

[daninnj]

In June, my Stowaway keyboard that came free with my Jornada 548 broke. I was so mad, because my warranty ended a few days before. :evil: I went to Circuit City and saw this keyboard. I bought it, and tried it.

I hated it! It was so hard to set up and I disliked the concept of the mirror. It would only work if the keyboard was tilted.

So I brought it back and saved $30 by buying another Stowaway.

DanInNJ

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

There were a few of us who posted our impressions on this keyboard on the Brighthand forums back in May.
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=ff87e4172db43bef7d44c090043eb459&threadid=52097

I promptly returned mine after trying it for a couple of days. On the plus side, the footprint is smaller than the Targus, it had the potential of supporting future PPC devices I might purchase, and I was able to use it in both portrait and landscape mode (with the help of Nyditot).

However, the keys were just too difficult to work with. While the A-Z keys didn't pose a major problem, there was no dedicated number row (it required pressing a function key in combination with some of the number keys), some of the punctuation keys were placed in odd places, and the "ridged" space bar was just too difficult to get a feel for (I was never sure if I had hit the space bar successfully when typing and often had to correct those mistakes).

Finally, running programs that clock your wpm speed, the fastest speed I attained on the Micro Innovations was like around 42-45 wpm while I was able to attain around 65 wpm on the Targus. So while the smaller A-Z keys didn't pose a major problem, the obviously affected my speed.

While some may prefer the Micro Innovations over the Targus, I'd say the majority of posters that I've seen would rather stick with the Targus.

ekkie

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I HATE this keyboard.... anyone want to buy mine?

I guess I have Homer Simpson Fat Fingers.

heyday

LOL!! Heyday, you'll never make a great salesman for your own stock!!