3Com Palm Portable Keyboard (P10713U)
- Input Interface Type: Keyboard
- Platform: PC
Available From
Why are these offers here?
Smart Buy!
Lowest price from a Trusted Store
Lowest Price!
- Overview
-
Reviews
- Compare Prices
User ReviewRead All Reviews »
Wallet sized folding keyboard? Gotta love it
Pros
Portable size, easy setup, high quality build and feel, easy install to palm device
Cons
No way to hook the Palm Pilot to AC power while using the keyboard
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A well designed, high quality portable keyboard for most Palm devices. I highly recommend it if you are annoyed by long sessions writing with the stylus.
OVERVIEW:
The Palm m500 folding keyboard is a marvel of engineering. Roughly 3" x 5" in size (just under 1" thick) when folded, but opens up into a full size keyboard (equivalent to that of a laptop computer). It is black with a metal exterior. There are small rubber feet on the back (nice touch) to keep the keyboard from sliding around when in use.
Here are the exact dimensions: Closed 3.6" x 5.1" x 0.3" (93 mm x 130 mm x 9 mm); Opened: 13.8" x 5.1" x 0.3" (352 mm x 130 mm x 9 mm)
Key Spacing: 19 mm horizontally and vertically (same as desktop keyboard)
Key Travel: 3 mm
Weight: 7.9 oz (224 g)
Keyboard Layout: 100% full-size
Palm™ Universal Connector
INSTALLATION:
The install is easy...a CD comes with the keyboard, just insert and follow the directions. The process ends with a quick hotsync to install the software from your desktop to the PDA. Then you simply plug the palm pilot into the docking stand on the keyboard and you are up and running. I found this to be easier than other after market portable keyboard installs (the Belkin product crashed my Palm device and I had to reset it) ...and its the reason I bought the official Palm product instead.
EASE OF USE:
I bought mine for use with a Palm i705...I do a lot of email wirelessly when traveling and thought the keyboard would help with that. It does! The keyboard unfolds in seconds, and a handy little holder pops up to steady your palm pilot after it is plugged in to the keyboard. It is just as easy to re-fold and put away. It has a nice, substantial feel to it; more high quality than Belkin and other portable keyboards I have tried. The keyboard itself also has a nice feel to it. Pre-programmed buttons for date book, contacts, applications, etc are on the keyboard. You can also program custom function keys. To fully learn how to move around your palm pilot using just the keyboard (no stylus) takes a little learning, however. I usually find myself using the stylus to quickly select applications, then use the keyboard with the app for typing. For doing email on the road (airplane or train, etc) the keyboard is fantastic. Gotta have a flat, hard, surface however to sit it on.
DURABILITY:
No issues here...I have pounded away on it like I do with all keyboards. Opened and closed it many times, dropped it more than a few times. It's no worse for the wear.
COMPATIBILITY:
Works with the following models (but check the palm.com website to be sure of the latest info if your model is not listed)
Palm i705 Handheld
Palm m125 Handheld
Palm m130 Handheld
Palm m500 Handheld
Palm m505 Handheld
Palm m515 Handheld
POWER USAGE
The keyboard draws minimal power from your handheld, I have not noticed any major additional drain. I kind of like the fact that I don't have to worry about any separate batteries for the keyboard. However, there is no provision for having the palm pilot plugged into AC power while it is in the keyboard cradle/dock.
PRICE
I got my for $79 from the palm website. Then quickly found it cheaper elsewhere on the net (lowest I have seen is $69). Typical, I always overpay.
SUMMARY
This is a nifty little gadget that makes doing email, memos, etc on you palm pilot MUCH easier. It is well made, feels solid, and installs in a snap. If you do a lot of email with a wireless palm, this is a must. Works great on the airplane (fits on the seat tray), train, etc. I have not really noticed any battery drain issues, and the design/layout of the keyboard is top notch. I highly recommend it if you are annoyed by long sessions with the stylus.
The Palm m500 folding keyboard is a marvel of engineering. Roughly 3" x 5" in size (just under 1" thick) when folded, but opens up into a full size keyboard (equivalent to that of a laptop computer). It is black with a metal exterior. There are small rubber feet on the back (nice touch) to keep the keyboard from sliding around when in use.
Here are the exact dimensions: Closed 3.6" x 5.1" x 0.3" (93 mm x 130 mm x 9 mm); Opened: 13.8" x 5.1" x 0.3" (352 mm x 130 mm x 9 mm)
Key Spacing: 19 mm horizontally and vertically (same as desktop keyboard)
Key Travel: 3 mm
Weight: 7.9 oz (224 g)
Keyboard Layout: 100% full-size
Palm™ Universal Connector
INSTALLATION:
The install is easy...a CD comes with the keyboard, just insert and follow the directions. The process ends with a quick hotsync to install the software from your desktop to the PDA. Then you simply plug the palm pilot into the docking stand on the keyboard and you are up and running. I found this to be easier than other after market portable keyboard installs (the Belkin product crashed my Palm device and I had to reset it) ...and its the reason I bought the official Palm product instead.
EASE OF USE:
I bought mine for use with a Palm i705...I do a lot of email wirelessly when traveling and thought the keyboard would help with that. It does! The keyboard unfolds in seconds, and a handy little holder pops up to steady your palm pilot after it is plugged in to the keyboard. It is just as easy to re-fold and put away. It has a nice, substantial feel to it; more high quality than Belkin and other portable keyboards I have tried. The keyboard itself also has a nice feel to it. Pre-programmed buttons for date book, contacts, applications, etc are on the keyboard. You can also program custom function keys. To fully learn how to move around your palm pilot using just the keyboard (no stylus) takes a little learning, however. I usually find myself using the stylus to quickly select applications, then use the keyboard with the app for typing. For doing email on the road (airplane or train, etc) the keyboard is fantastic. Gotta have a flat, hard, surface however to sit it on.
DURABILITY:
No issues here...I have pounded away on it like I do with all keyboards. Opened and closed it many times, dropped it more than a few times. It's no worse for the wear.
COMPATIBILITY:
Works with the following models (but check the palm.com website to be sure of the latest info if your model is not listed)
Palm i705 Handheld
Palm m125 Handheld
Palm m130 Handheld
Palm m500 Handheld
Palm m505 Handheld
Palm m515 Handheld
POWER USAGE
The keyboard draws minimal power from your handheld, I have not noticed any major additional drain. I kind of like the fact that I don't have to worry about any separate batteries for the keyboard. However, there is no provision for having the palm pilot plugged into AC power while it is in the keyboard cradle/dock.
PRICE
I got my for $79 from the palm website. Then quickly found it cheaper elsewhere on the net (lowest I have seen is $69). Typical, I always overpay.
SUMMARY
This is a nifty little gadget that makes doing email, memos, etc on you palm pilot MUCH easier. It is well made, feels solid, and installs in a snap. If you do a lot of email with a wireless palm, this is a must. Works great on the airplane (fits on the seat tray), train, etc. I have not really noticed any battery drain issues, and the design/layout of the keyboard is top notch. I highly recommend it if you are annoyed by long sessions with the stylus.
