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Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

blogs.microsoft.com

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Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#131

Post by dingaling »

mrmondo wrote: post #68

As some others have suggested here I highly recommend checking out the textblade. Not only do I think the design is better but your money is also going to a better home rather than to a large corporate that has a dubious reputation at the best of times.

A couple of concerns regarding the Text Blade:

1. Does out use standard HID or something custom? Any keyboard that requires installation of a specific app or driver has a dubious future ( two now-useless Freedom Bluetooth keyboards on many cupboard testify )

2. Their website is frankly terrible. First, a pop-up that tells me to use Chrome, Safari or Firefox and renders a blank page ( this is Android Firefox ). Hack around that and it then INSISTS that I rotate my phone horizontally before showing me any content! Immediately paints a negative image of this organization.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#132

Post by lqdc13 »

WalterBright wrote: post #112

I hate laptop keyboards. The problem is the touch pad in front of it. Inevitably, my palm will brush against it, and the software will assume I'm clicking on something, and something random will happen. It's not just me, others will sometimes ask me what the hell happened, I was typing away, and the window disappeared (or some other random thing happened), and I say "you brushed against the touchpad". It's so bad tha…

on debian systems you can do

    syndaemon -i 1 -K -d
where the number after the -i option is the number of seconds to disable the touchpad for while typing.

Macs don't really have a problem with it.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#133

Post by sitkack »

bane wrote: post #69

I never underestimate Microsoft hardware, it's usually among the best in the business. This looks fabulous. In fact, with my big Android phone (note 3), an X Server, a Terminal app and Servers Ultimate Pro, I can basically bring everything I do at work with me in my pocket. In fact I should give this a try http://linuxonandroid.org/ and be done with the whole mess. Though this will get you pretty far http://kevinboon…

I have always been interested in the HDMI output on Android phones and using it for basic desktop stuff. Does that actually work? Will it render out to 1920 x 1080 ?

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#134

Post by AlfonsoP »

lisper wrote: post #56

To me this looks indistinguishable from: http://www.amazon.com/iWerkz-Universal-Foldable-Bluetooth-44... Available now at half the price.

It is very obvious to me that these keyboards on Amazon are a lot thicker than the MS keyboard (and probably a lot heavier). Look carefully at the thickness of the edge: the MS one is so thin that they had to create a bulge around its micro USB port! Also the Amazon keyboards are using hinges, but the MS keyboard fold is made of flexible material so it is probably more durable.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#135

Post by Zombieball »

ibrahima wrote: post #128
seanp2k2 wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might like https://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/index.php or a Kinesis with the height adjusters http://m.thewirecutter.com/reviews/comfortable-ergo-keyboard... Edit: reviews of other mechanical ergo keyboards: http://www.anandtech.com/tag/ergonomic

I tried a Truly Ergonomic for two months, I just couldn't get used to it. The layout is pretty awkward and I don't think it's suited for programming. Mine also had a weird key repeat issue where random keys would just bounce for no apparent reason. I really wanted to like it too. And I actually think the curve of the Natural Keyboard series is really important for the ergonomics. Luckily TE has a 60 day money back gu…

You weren't alone experiencing the key repeat issue in your TE. I was an early purchaser of the TE as well, and my understanding is the first batch of MX-Blue keyboards they made all had this issue. I also returned mine.

I am also a big fan of the curve to the Natural keyboard, used to be my primary keyboard. However I find the combination of mechanical keys + a tenkeyless standard layout design (noticed a sore shoulder from mouse hand being far to the right) offers the most comfort for me at the moment.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#136

Post by SwellJoe »

deckiedan wrote: post #107
JetSpiegel wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Tablets are going to replace desktops for most people, once we figure out how to attach better input devices. That already exists, it's a netbook. Or worst case scenario, one of those netbooks with detachable screen.

I don't think so - my mum was trying to get a cheap-ish new replacement for her 5 year old 10" netbook last month. It's very very hard to do. Certainly when you compare the spec:price ratio of anything on the market today compared to a tablet + bluetooth keyboard.

Netbooks are being subsumed by laptops, as laptops get smaller. Several of the "ultrabooks" are thinner and lighter than my old Dell Mini 9. The 11" models are perfectly acceptable "netbooks", they just don't call them netbooks anymore because that was an indicator that it was kind of a crappy computer, but was small and cheap and good enough for browsing the web. The cost is getting closer to netbooks, as well, though I guess the really thin and light laptops are still pretty pricey...they will converge fully eventually.

In short, tablet has taken the place of the "crappy tiny laptop", and the modern good laptop has gotten closer to the size of the crappy tiny laptop without being crappy. The sweet spot for the netbook has shrunk to the point where it almost doesn't exist anymore, and thus there are no netbooks.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#137

Post by 205guy »

function_seven wrote: post #110
milhous wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm with you. I'm using a Logitech TrackMan Wheel, and though it operates at a low resolution, is still a very efficient means of moving the mouse across high resolution/multi-screen setups. Microsoft must have something against trackballs, and they shouldn't. I'm sure they could do well releasing a slick trackball that could compete against Logitech and Kensington. As for the latter, the iPhone in 2007 pretty much s…

The trackballs on the BlackBerries were absolutely perfect... until some tiny amount of dirt/oil/etc got in there. Then they were glitchy little bastards. I also have the Logitech Trackman. I swear by it, and will never go back to using a mouse. I started with the wired version, then reluctantly bought the wireless model when I needed another one. The wired sells used now for $300. FYI, Pledge or similar furniture wa…

I had exactly the same history: started with the Microsoft trackball (guided by the fingers), and when that died, switched to the wired Logitech trackman (ball is under the thumb), and now that's unavailable so have the wireless one. Both trackmans work the same, but I'm stationary so prefer the wired version.

In the end, I prefer the ergonomics of the trackmans better because of the thumb ball. I even put a small bean bag under it so it is tilted backward and easier on the wrist (like my Microsoft ergonomic keyboard).

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#138

Post by marban »

Currently using an iP6+ with the new Logitech Keys-To-Go which is similar and probably even thinner but not folding. Keyboard's great but every manufacturer seems to be missing the fact that you'll also need a decent stand for the phone and I have yet to find something that's slim, adjustable and not 3$ eBay quality.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#139

Post by msh »

marban wrote: post #138

Currently using an iP6+ with the new Logitech Keys-To-Go which is similar and probably even thinner but not folding. Keyboard's great but every manufacturer seems to be missing the fact that you'll also need a decent stand for the phone and I have yet to find something that's slim, adjustable and not 3$ eBay quality.

I love my Microsoft wedge keyboard,seem to fit your needs also.

See http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/wedge-mobile-keybo...

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