[maemo-users] Keyboard for N800

[From: Mike Klein]

Marius Gedminas wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 10, 2007 at 11:02:11AM -0800, Gary wrote:
>   
>> DZ wrote:
>>     
>>> BTW, latest Apple Wireless compact BT keyboard works fine with N800 (it  
>>> supports HID profile). This keyboard is very comfortable and has a long  
>>> battery life.
>>>       
>> I'll second this. I have Nokia's SU-8W because it fits in my camera 
>> (N800) bag for travel but the Apple one is much better for serious 
>> production work. And though it doesn't fold up, it's solidly built. When 
>> I first tried one that a friend bought for his MacBook, he took it out 
>> of his book bag, held it up in front of me, and gave it a strong flex. I 
>> cringed and closed my eyes but he just laughed and powered it on.
>>     
>
> I third this.  It's the smallest keyboard I've seen that has full-size
> keys in a sane layout.  I miss some of the keys a bit, e.g. PgUp/PgDn,
> and the Fn-Up/Down alternative doesn't work on a N800.
>
> I also admit that I cannot figure out how to turn it off.  The power
> button always turns it on.  When I want to use the virtual keyboard, I
> have to disconnect the Apple one from the Nokia's Bluetooth statusbar
> applet.
>
> FWIW connecting the two back together is unexpecedly easy: just start
> typing and the keyboard will reconnect *without losing any of the
> keystrokes*.  Brilliant.
>
> Marius Gedminas
>   
The apple wireless keyboard...while A+ in the looks department is more 
like a B- when it comes to actual work. The keys are NOT full-sized and 
don't have appropriate amount of travel. Larger keys would've made 
footprint larger though.

I can tough type > 120wpm and the Apple keyboard brings me down to like 
30wpm...it isn't easy to type on when on your lap as it's so narrow. The 
HappyHacking keyboard is better example of small keyboard (although 
wired) with full-size keys and travel.


mike