nimowns

im looking for a new keyboard for my x50v, what are the advantages/disadvantages of the IR and bluetooth keyboards? obvsiously the IR keyboards are cheaper, but do they work just as well?

Howard2k

IR requires line of sight so is slightly less flexible in that regard. Probably easier on the battery too than BT.

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Gigi

IR keyboards work well, but require line-of-sight to hold the connection. BT keyboards, on the other hand, do not, meaning that you can easily use your device in landscape mode and in a variety of setups (e.g., keyboard on your lap with PPC on table, etc.).

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nimowns

im not at home with the x50v so forgive the stupid question, where is the IR port located on the x50v? also is their any bluetooth or IR keyboard/mouse combos sold anywhere? i could not find any myself.

Grentz

IR is on the top of the X50v, in my mind Bluetooth it tons better as there is little or no lag between pressing the key and it showing on screen, you can use it anywhere and dont have to worry about lining it up, etc.

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Master_Scythe

i owned an IR, the "line of sight" thing is really anoying! REALLY annoying. i left bluetooth on all day to see how it effected my battery, it was only about 1% lower than usual at the end of the day.

go bluetooth.

Darth Gates

I'll have to respectfully disagree.

I have an IR keyboard (the Targus) and it works fine. The line of sight issue doesn't bother me at all. I never liked use my PDA in landscape anyway and find landscape to be a non-issue (but, again, this is my usuage pattern). I've never had any problem with lag or anything like that.

Technically, you're not supposed to use a bluetooth device in flight. So, if you want to use your keyboard on plane trips, and IR keyboard MAY be a better idea.

That said, if I didn't have a keyboard already, and both were the exact same price, I'd probably go with bluetooth just because it is slightly easier. Of course, bluetooth keyboards are a lot more expensive right now, and I don't see enough differences to justify the $.

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MLawes

Originally Posted by Darth Gates

I'll have to respectfully disagree. I have an IR keyboard (the Targus) and it works fine. The line of sight issue doesn't bother me at all. I never liked use my PDA in landscape anyway and find landscape to be a non-issue (but, again, this is my usuage pattern). I've never had any problem with lag or anything like that. Technically, you're not supposed to use a bluetooth device in flight. So, if you want to use your keyboard on plane trips, and IR keyboard MAY be a better idea. That said, if I didn't have a keyboard already, and both were the exact same price, I'd probably go with bluetooth just because it is slightly easier. Of course, bluetooth keyboards are a lot more expensive right now, and I don't see enough differences to justify the $.

I have to agree with darth here. I also have the targas and I love it. The line of sight does not bother me at all. The IR reciever moves easily to accomodate landscape mode. I've also never experienced a lag.