Which folding keyboard would you get for an hx4700?

[bdoherty]

I've got an hx4700 and am looking at getting me a bluetooth folding keyboard for xmas.

I'm interested to hear from other people who have bought one and can tell me pro's and con's about the keyboard.

For example, how does HP Keyboard feel with the extra row. While numbers would be nice, does this make the keys significatently smaller than the ThinkOutside model?

Cheers,
Brendan

[Simon Hughes]

While I can't speak to the Stowaway BT keyboard, I can tell you that the Stowaway serial connect version is quite a bit smaller then the HP BT keyboard (which I do have now). The keys on the HP seem to be pretty much full scale. I like it much better than the Stowaway that I had because it always felt as if there were way too many function keys to get to this or that character. Not so with the HP.

Hope this helps.

Simon

[CESkins]

Personally I would get the ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard (which I currently own) unless you absolutely required the row of number keys. HP peripherals usually are designed to work primarily with HP products. I am not certain how many different non-HP PDAs the HP BT keyboard has been tested with. However, if your next PDA happens to not be an HP product, I would think that it is more likely that ThinkOutside would release drivers for their keyboards to work with the new PDA compared to HP. The last thing I want to do when I get a new PDA is to have to buy yet another keyboard. So far I have 4 of them staring back at me as I type this. I hope that my TO BT keyboard will be the last (or at least no new versions are required for the next 3+ years). At least this is something to consider when deciding on your purchase. Those with more experience with both keyboards can offer more specifics.

[bdoherty]

Personally I would get the ThinkOutside Bluetooth keyboard (which I currently own) unless you absolutely required the row of number keys.

So you personally don't find it a hassle not having number keys?

[G M Fude]

I've also got a (non-Bluetooth, however) Think Outside keyboard.

Had it for nearly two years, and while it looks a bit flimsy and I used to treat it with considerable care, now it is abused like any other item I lug with me on trips. I can vouch for it being quite robust, especially when folded.

I mainly using it to type text reports, and not having the number row is a minor inconvenience. It is a good deal smaller without that extra row of keys. If you've not actually held one of these clever TO devices, try to do so before you choose one from the list: they are really small.

The keys are the same size as used on your typical laptop computer and the throw (how much the keys depress) is the same. It has a really nice action. I just wish mine was BT.

[CESkins]

If you are typing lots of numbers along with text, then not having the number keys can be a pain as you have to remember to hold down the function key before you press one of the upper row keys to get a number. If you will be typing purely numbers then you can turn on Num lock and if mainly text, then the occasional Fn key press to get a number is not a problem. I would try one out at a local CompUSA or Best Buy before making the purchase. I picked up my TO BT keyboard from CompUSA. You can actually install the driver before heading to the store because it is on the ThinkOutside website (http://www.thinkoutside.com/drivers.asp).

[Don Tolson]

I'd definitely get the Bluetooth keyboard from Stowaway.