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Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

blogs.microsoft.com

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Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#161

Post by spain »

frik wrote: post #146

It's getting harder and harder to buy traditional high quality mouse and keyboards for PC. Microsoft and Logitech used to produce them. But the look at the current portfolio of Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/mice and http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/keyboards No traditional keyboard with cable and normal key-layout, no normal mouse like the IntelliMouse or Comfort Mouse 6000 (discontinued b…

>Logitech discontinued their best cable based mices, MX500 and MX518 too.

The MX518 for me at least lives on as the G400s. I used to own an MX518 and got the G400s recently and it's basically the same thing except with a better surface texture (and higher DPI? I don't really care since I always keep it on the lowest setting).

>What traditional cable based keyboards/mices and business notebooks with normal keys should one buy?

I use a ThinkPad T420 which would seem to be the last "traditional" ThinkPad. I mean it's clear it's already going in the direction of the newer laptops but this one still has the traditional keyboard while having up-to-date hardware otherwise. Hopefully by the time that becomes outdated there will be something worth buying on the market...

As for my desktop keyboard: IBM Model M, accept no substitutes.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#163

Post by jules »

jacobolus wrote: post #5

Reinvented is pretty strong language here, this idea is far from new. I think this new keyboard looks convenient enough for those needing extreme portability, but also probably a pretty mediocre typing experience. In any case, this time.com post is just blogspam. Here’s Microsoft’s page that all the content comes from: http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2015/03/02/get-more-done... And here’s another third party page…

It looks similar to a type cover for microsoft's surface. In that case typing will be quite good. I prefer it to any other laptop keyboard that I've used. Of course you can't expect it to be as good as a conventional keyboard.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#164

Post by jostylr »

bobajeff wrote: post #99
jacobolus wrote: post #5

Reinvented is pretty strong language here, this idea is far from new. I think this new keyboard looks convenient enough for those needing extreme portability, but also probably a pretty mediocre typing experience. In any case, this time.com post is just blogspam. Here’s Microsoft’s page that all the content comes from: http://blogs.microsoft.com/firehose/2015/03/02/get-more-done... And here’s another third party page…

I'm interested in the textblade. Was the moment I first heard of it. But I've never spent $100 on a keyboard. I would like at least a good honest review from a programmer I've heard of and respect. I would definitely prefer a hands on at a store before plucking down that kind of cash.

You can return it within 30 days of receiving it for a full refund. This means you can do your own review which is really all that will matter.

I am hoping that it helps greatly with special keys compared with standard keyboards. I am very curious about how it works with keyboard navigating type software such as Vim.

I pre-ordered it.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#165

Post by josteink »

byuu wrote: post #6
cbeach wrote: post #2

It's neat, but Microsoft has not reinvented the keyboard. There's much prior art: https://www.google.co.uk/search?safe=off&client=safari&hl=en... I wonder how much MS paid Time.com for that article?

No kidding. Reinvented? "Microsoft made yet another folding keyboard." Here I was half-excited, half-terrified about seeing something with no buttons; or one without the standard letter keys. Still, if it's comfortable for typing, and if the battery really lasts that long, that'd be kinda neat. But I doubt either will be true.

If Apple got away with "reinvented" folders, then I'm pretty much OK with Microsoft "reinventing" this and anyone else reinventing any wheel they may find.

I'm not saying you are wrong per se, but at least lets try to keep our standards consistent.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#166

Post by 2muchcoffeeman »

seanp2k2 wrote: post #31
bcg1 wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, you're more than correct. To say this is a straight up advertisement disguised as a puff piece would be kind. That said, I do regard the Microsoft Natural keyboard one of the greatest keyboard designs I've used, but even that was only a slight variation on prior art. My only gripe is that I've never found one with mechanical switches (so I'm pretty sure they never existed). PS - here is a plug for another…

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've tried Gold Touch, ErgoDox, MS 4000 and now the MS Sculpt Ergo. The Microsoft keyboards are the best I've used. Everyone I know who uses an ergo keyboard settled on the MS 4000 or upgraded to the Sculpt Ergo.

Now if only Logitech would make their TrackMan Wheel still. Or maybe Microsoft would make a worthy successor? Hint, hint (I own 4 Logitech trackballs just incase they are ever discontinued completely).

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#167

Post by JetSpiegel »

rugdobe wrote: post #127
deckiedan wrote: post #107

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

the Asus X205 is amazing bang for the buck

I got some older model (no touch screen, dual-core and only 1GB of ram) and it is indeed amazing. Perfect for work anywhere, when you put a lightweight Linux distro on it.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#168

Post by detaro »

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.

If Linux or ChromeOS is an option, a Chromebook might do. Other than that it is indeed difficult to find anything.

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#169

Post by detaro »

frik wrote: post #146

It's getting harder and harder to buy traditional high quality mouse and keyboards for PC. Microsoft and Logitech used to produce them. But the look at the current portfolio of Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/mice and http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/keyboards No traditional keyboard with cable and normal key-layout, no normal mouse like the IntelliMouse or Comfort Mouse 6000 (discontinued b…

mice: roccat (Yes, they do fancy 100$ gaming mouses, but some of their cheap offerings are great as well)

Re: Microsoft's new foldable keyboard

#170

Post by hrktb »

kstenerud wrote: post #38
joshuapants wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The TextBlade looks fascinating. There were only demos of it running on iOS and Android devices, but I hope it can be compatible with OSX, Windows, and Linux too.

It's bluetooth so it's compatible with any bluetooth capable OS.

It surely can be used, but the lack of modifier keys would make the experience a lot worse than with an usual keyboard.

Cut and paste seems to have buit-in shortcuts, I'm not sure about things like cmd+space, ctrl+tab etc. There don't even seem to be an escape key.

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