Tracy Jo

I just switched from an old Clie to an Axim X30. I used a Sony external keyboard all the time with my Clie, and now I want to buy one for the X30. The problem is, I don't know which one is the best (although I've been reading a few reviews). Ideally I would like the keyboard to:

1) not cost a mint (~$60-$70),
2) be sleekish and portable (most are, I guess),
4) have a close to laptop-size keyboard setup (a bit smaller is fine),
5) be realtively stable while sitting on a large book on my lap, and
6) allow me to attach my X30 to an external power source while I'm using the keyboard.

I tend to type for many, many hours at a time, so I'm trying to avoid keyboards that plug into the same port as the AC adapter.

All suggestions and advice are greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.

Best,
Tracy Jo

mikeyp

targus ir kb


its a tac big but great


i also came from the clie and had the kb100 I LOVE THAT KB SO MUCH TOO

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Clie SJ22 (2 weeks only) --> Clie SJ33 --> Axim X30 --> Clie TJ25 (not long) --> Palm TX --> Palmone Lifedrive --> Palm T|T3 --> Treo 650 (PDA ONLY) --> iPaq HX2495b --> Clie NX70v
Also: NEC MobilePro 780, Clie T615c, HP 95LX

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Tracy Jo

Thanks! Do you know if you can you use the Targus keyboard while the X30 is plugged into the AC adapter? Does the cable get in the way? And is the keyboard a whole lot bigger than the Sony kb100 when folded up? I'm going to miss the old kb100 (sniff.) But time marches on...


Best,
Tracy Jo

Originally Posted by mikeyp

targus ir kb its a tac big but great i also came from the clie and had the kb100 I LOVE THAT KB SO MUCH TOO

mikeyp

if u ned ac, fl p in landscape or u can ge
the belkin ( sold by dell)

__________________
Clie SJ22 (2 weeks only) --> Clie SJ33 --> Axim X30 --> Clie TJ25 (not long) --> Palm TX --> Palmone Lifedrive --> Palm T|T3 --> Treo 650 (PDA ONLY) --> iPaq HX2495b --> Clie NX70v
Also: NEC MobilePro 780, Clie T615c, HP 95LX

[x] indicates a post from my Clie NX70v

AximLegionnaire

Does the belkin(from dell) have the ability to charge while the axim is plugged into it?

Tracy jo, if you have the money check out this site: thinkoutside.com
Sure wish I had bluetooth, and wanted to spend that much...

techspeak

tracy jo hi

I'm an X30 (med) user and have been the proud owner of a Targus IR one-size-fits-most k/b for... let me see... about 4 hours now.

It works very well indeed - it's absolutely reliable picking up keystrokes and putting them on screen without lag. It folds up nicely, and can support the x30 in landscape mode with its clever sensor arm (though i can't see how you can clip it to the k/b in landscape, which you can when it's standing up - but it rests there just fine, so keep your fingers crossed there's no turbulence if you are using it in flight in landscape!!!).

Other than that, the only flaky thing I can see is that the PDA program to control the driver is reeeeeeeallly slow - I have no idea why. But once you've set it up, it's no big deal. I tried the latest Targus driver but it made no difference. But now that I understand what to expect, I have no problem at all recommending this neat little solution.

good luck

neil

Frenchy

Originally Posted by AximLegionnaire

Does the belkin(from dell) have the ability to charge while the axim is plugged into it? Tracy jo, if you have the money check out this site: thinkoutside.com Sure wish I had bluetooth, and wanted to spend that much...

Yes, I use the Dell (Bekin) KB and it charges the unit as you are using it. The size is very confortable for typing. You do not need a flat surface to extend and use it, you can put it on your lap. I hope it helps.

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Frenchy

techspeak

Originally Posted by Tracy Jo

6) allow me to attach my X30 to an external power source while I'm using the keyboard. I tend to type for many, many hours at a time, so I'm trying to avoid keyboards that plug into the same port as the AC adapter.

Oops - I forgot to refer to this in my ealier post about the Targus k/b. It does not do any charging of the Axim at all - it has no cables (it works on IR, powered by a couple of oversized watch batteries). In fact, now I think about it, the only way you can connect the Axim's synch cable while using the Targus is if you have it sitting in landscape mode (my preferred position)- there is no way you could stand it up in the keyboard's holder if the cable was sticking out of the bottom.

I guess that makes the Belkin more suitable - but over here in Down Under land, the Targus is about half the price of the Belkin.

cheerio

neil

Martin

i've just ordered the stowaway bluetooth keyboard from thinkoutside.com. yes it's more expensive, but if you do a lot of typing and don't know when you'll be out of the office (like me) then i think it's a good investment. I've got the tragus IR keyboard....but i find the whole IR setup too fiddly to bother with.

cheers

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techspeak

yeah, I would have preferred something a bit more robust and reliable than IR (e.g. BT), but living in the most distant reaches of Australia (Perth, on the west coast) this kind of stuff takes a while to reach us. But we console ourselves with the amazing beaches and 7-8 months of summer...

More seriously, this is the first time I've used IR on my axim and have been surprised at the low drain it seems to place on the battery, especially compared to wifi.

cheers

neil

SilverStyle

I have a targus and it works fine.

Tracy Jo

I bought the Targus keyboard today, and so far it seems to suit my needs. Thanks to everyone who posted for all the help!

Best,
Tracy Jo