Palm Ultra-Thin Keyboard for Tungsten T/T2/T3 and m515

Hardware manufacturers realise this, and there are several keyboards for PDAs available nowadays. Palm's latest offering, their so called "Ultra Thin" keyboard, is suitable for any Palm PDA with the Universal Connector. This includes the m5xx series and the Tungsten T, which we used for testing. When folded the keyboard measures 139 mm x 99 mm x 13 mm, and weighs 165 g. It's a bit large for the pocket, but no problem at all for a bag.

The driver is easily installed via a Hotsync--it takes just a few seconds to do this job. Then you are ready to start typing. The keyboard has been designed to be very thin and to that end it is made from two connected sections that fold in on each other when the keyboard is closed. These, and a pull-out rest for your Palm, are all there is to connect to the hardware, which is set up in literally a few seconds. The mechanism feels pretty robust. Getting your PDA in place is easy too, though the docking connectors aren't too well protected and might be vulnerable to bending out of shape.

The keyboard is a little smaller than the average laptop keyboard, and so it takes a little while to get into touch-typing mode. There are plenty of shortcut keys for Palm functions, though, and with a little practice data entry is pretty fast--certainly a lot faster than with Graffiti. Anyone serious about getting text onto their Palm should consider a keyboard, and this one is a very light, portable, usable option. --Sandra Vogel

The durability of the folding mechanism will only be shown over time - there are a couple of ribbon cables in there which have to flex. It feels a bit flimsy while it's transforming, but OK when fully open or shut. It is very lightweight, and will never feel as solid as a full-sized keyboard. There's a bit of key rattle as you type. But the keys are a good size, and travel far enough to feel satisfying. The folding and key travel mechanisms are quite exposed, and you wouldn't want to use it in an environment where things could get in there. It's powered from the Palm and according to the documentation uses about the same power as Graffiti or the on-screen keyboard.

Using the keyboard on my lap as advertised is fine, but moving the whole set-up around seems a bit dodgy due to the weight of the PDA on the support mechanism and connector. A supporting surface seems like a good idea.

My greatest niggle is that the support feet are at the quarter points on the width and the ends overhang, so if you press firmly on the outer keys you can cause the whole thing to tip (especially with shift and tab on the left). Second niggle is that it's quite hard to find the right position for docking the Palm on to the keyboard. Once there it's supported by the connector and a hinged flap - you can't change the angle.

Because the keyboard is small, most keys are labelled with multiple functions. That means you sometimes have to search for the proper shift combination - including for numbers. On the other hand, most Palm functions are accessible here, like the application buttons and menu commands like "done" and "cancel". It also adds some functionality, like forward delete and using ctrl-arrows to jump words. If you have PalmOS 5, as I do, check www.palmone.com for an updated keyboard driver that lets you use Cmd and the cursor keys to mimic the navigator. You do have to search out ways to do things.

I got this at a reduced price as the packaging had been opened, and am happy with it on that basis. How you feel about it at full price will depend on your budget and the use you expect to get out of it. You might also want to look at getting word processing software to bypass the 4k limit of Palm's Memo application, which will be an extra cost.


Type away to your hearts content...   October 22, 2003
Despe da Silva (Nottingham)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

Having used this keyboard for about a month, I am happy to say that it is a wonderful, robust, and intriquitely and carefully designed keyboard. It truly is incredible the amount of space this keyboard saves in comparison to the older keyboards. At firt impressions the keyboard seems a little tacky, but after accidentally having smashed it against the wall I have found no visible damage to the unit and it still works fine. A very robust little keybord. Do not listen to those people who got faulty keyboards, mine works perfectly!
In terms of writing with the keyboard i find it easier to type with this one than I do with ordinary laptop keybords due to the fact that the keyboard is elevated above the desk, similar to ordinary desktop keyboards. Laptop keyboards are the same level as the working level, promoting bad hand posture and uncomfortable typing, so this keyboard definatelly kicks some laptop booty. (It also converts your palm to a small, pocketable laptop as well...nice, when you travel a lot and can't be bothered to lug around a hefty laptop).
All in all, this keyboard is worth the price. No troubles whatsoever.