PDAs forum: PDA with a keyboard?

The only two PDAs I know of with a built-in keyboard are the two you found...the HP iPAQ h4355 and the Palm Tungsten C. While they haven't been discountinued yet, you'll probably be seeing them in a retirement home by Christmas. However, that's a good thing! Why? Because you used two small phrases in the same sentence...''built-in keyboard'' and ''faster note-taking.'' While some may disagree, I don't see how those two phrases can coexist. Just spend some time trying to take notes or type a document on a built-in PDA keyboard and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about...within the first hour you'll be longing for your pen and paper! My suggestion is to purchase the PDA of your choice, then get a portable keyboard (folds up to fit in your pocket) that connects either by cable, IR, or Bluetooth. This method allows you to have the portability of the PDA with the comfort of your PC's keyboard. Let us know what (if any) operating system you prefer, how powerful you want it to be, what all you want to use it for (besides note-taking), and what your price range is and we'll point you in the right direction. In the mean time, you might want to check out the line of Dell Axims available, which are by far the best bargain.

Hope this helps,
John

There are a few sites I know of that provide reviews of PDA keyboards, including Cnet's Pamper your PDA and Mobile Tech Reviews. What I usually do, though, is shop for keyboards and when I find one that intrigues me, do a search for it and see what reviews come up.

Hope this helps,
John

I am thinking about purchasing a Dell Axim x51v, eventually. If I purchase the Palm ''universal'' keyboard for my iPAQ rx1955, I would like to use it also with the Dell, when I get it.

Anybody know for certain if the Palm Universal Wireless keyboard is compatible with the Dell Axim x51v?

Does Dell have their own pocket pc keyboard?

I tried looking this up at their website, but could not find. And to contact the Dell support to verify this, I would be required proof of purchase of a Dell product to sign in on their form.

Also, I am assuming this Palm keyboard is compatible with the iPAQ rx1955?

Thanx in advance.

Don

Thats a disappointment, but at least I have averted alot of hassle with your information. I was getting quite excited about finally trying out a keyboard on my iPAQ. I had purchased the Palm keyboard earlier today, and was going to look up the response here about compatibility before opening the package. So I guess I am going to return it. I think I am going to try sending Palm an email inquiry about this first. Dell (the PPC I am looking into) seems to be quite alot of hassle to contact if you don't have a proof of purchase.


Don

The first one, F8P3502, was designed for early Palm models while the second one, F8A1500, was designed for older Toshiba Pocket PCs. Nether of them are being produced any longer, and Circuit City is trying to get rid of its leftover inventory. According to their specs they are not wireless keyboards...they were designed to connect directly through the docking cradles to specific models. Thus, they won't work for you.

The Belkin F8U1500, on the other hand, is wireless (IR) and will work with your iPaq, Axim, and just about any other recent model you can throw at it. Dell offers it directly for Axim users at $39.95, RadioShack for $44.99, and Belkin for $59.99. If you can't find a better deal, just click here for the Dell product page.

Hope this helps,
John

for quickie email composing or small changes to docs, those built in thumb keyboards work well. Faster than pen entry. For composing whole articles, u'll want a full sized, folding portable keyboard as mentioned. Most PDAs have this option avaiable, except for low end pOS PDAs (like the ZIre21 and 31)

THe T|C may not be sold anymore, but it's still used by quite a few ppl, esp. by those wanting keyboard and built in wifi. Not a bad choice really. It just doesn't do MP3s natively and requires a converter for qa headphone jack.

for Palm, Try:
T|E or T|E2 for lower end w/o integrated wifi
T|T3 or T|T5 (search on ebay) for higher end w/o built in wifi
T|C (mayb P1, else search ebay) for lower end (maybe mid end) w/built in wifi
LD for high end with built in wifi
T|TX for high end with built in wifi (if rumored specs are true and it comes out within the month)

For models w/o integrated wifi, u'll have to buy a wifi card. This is preferred if you're casual wifi user, as this opens up more selection of handhelds for you. Else, for heavier wifi use, may bet better to get it builtin.

You are so right about the Psion, if only there was a replacement for it. I am trying to replace my 5mx which I still use every day, with a PDA but just can't beat the clamshell design and the built in keyboard.
I am tempted with the Palm Life Drive Mobile Manager, one totally brilliant piece of kit but I would have to buy a seperate bluetooth fold out key board to achieve anything like the convenience of the Psion. Plus buy a cover to protect the screen and you cannot swap out the battery.

For now the search goes on.

Dear Primaz,

You said,

"What all the PDA's and mobile devices lack is a touch type keyboard and that is what most really want!"

I disagree with that. On the occasions that a keyboard is needed for extensive typing, a person can use a fold up keyboard. The fold-up keyboards have all of the room of regular keyboards, yet still compact. The built-in keyboards just take up more room on the pocket pc, resulting in a design of a larger, bulkier pda or a smaller view screen. Since the keys are mechanical, they'll malfunction over time, stick or jam from wear or grime. And besides, the keyboard on a pda is so tiny that they are impractical for full scale typing, and minimal advantage over the stylus keyboard and maybe no advantage over the handwriting transcribe function.

I think that the handwriting transcriber function is ingenious, and whomever developed the technology for it should be congratualated.

Thats my opinion on that. When I am away from my office computer, I'll have to either limit my Re's to messages to a few sentences (which is all alot of people want) or bring along a foldup keyboard.

Don

The closest that I know for a palm that has a keyboard but not built-in Wi-Fi is the Treo 650 or 700p or 700w (Windows Mobile)

The 650 doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi but you can get the Enfora Wi-Fi sled for Wi-Fi.

If you want built-in Wi-Fi, there's the TX, but it doesn't have a keyboard. So, you'll need to buy a wireless keyboard.

--
http://palmdiscovery.netfirms.com/nfblog/
Check out Flash demos of Palm apps and learn how to use the Palm and programs at PalmDiscovery.net

on the palm website u get a keyboard for it free when u buy it from www.palm.com

The only good keyboard PDA's were the old Psion 5mx, and the Jornada 720. When MS dropped their OS, to create pocket pc, there has yet to be a good keyboard built in. The fact is that a pocket pc is good for viewing, etc. but not real computing where you need to input lots of information. What the market needs is a modern Psion!