Fellowes Type N Go Keyboard and Bumper Case for Handspring

Rating:
Summary: Hmm, very interesting product, to say the least.....
Review: I bought one today, I just had to try this out. I own the Targus folding keyboard. But w/ that keyboard, you are limited to where you can use it, but I do like the Targus keyboard.

After loading the software & having a chance to try it out (Type N Go), I am not sure if I like the Type N Go. The other reviewers are right about this product. It will not work w/ your Handspring, if the connection w/ the Type N Go is not good. So adding some tape or velcro to the top will add tension. And the lock does have a tenedency to become unlock. So be aware of this flaw. Using the keyboard is awkward. I guess it will take some time to get used to. I just have to learn how all the different keys/functions work. I know it took a little time to get used to the Targus keyboard. The buttons are on the small side, but I can easily type faster than using the graffiti writing. You can pretty much do all the functions on the Type N Go. BUT, you still have to use a stylus on some functions. Do not be misled that the stylus is used minimal. But something that has not been mentioned from other reviewers is, the Type N Go has its own stylus, that is built in on back of the case. This is a nice feature, that you do not have to unlock the Handspring to use that stylus. It's just a plain stylus w/ no ball point pen. But it is accessible if you need to use a stylus for some functions.

The case is a bit bulky. But not as bulky as when I had a Targus case to carry the Handspring & the Targus keyboard. What's nice about the Type N Go case is, it will protect your Handspring & you can do most functions using the keyboard. With the Targus keyboard, I had to hook up the Handspring to it. For those who own the Targus keyboard, you know how difficult it can be to dock your Handspring to it. It can be quite frustrating at times. Also, there is a backlight button on the Type N Go. You can toggle the backlight to be on or off, not like the backlight on the Handspring, which will turn off your unit, then you have to it turn back on.

With the Type N Go, after I get used to it, I may not have to use the graffiti anymore. I just need to get used to holding it, see what feels comfortable. After a few minutes of holding the case, you're hand gets a bit tired. The case & the Handspring weighs some, & you will feel the weight after some time using. I've tried putting it down flat on the table. Works great, but the glare from the light affects the screen. So tilting it helps.

This product is a good idea, but something that would improve on the design would be to somehow lock the case open flat. Or to have it locked slightly folded, so you can have a better hold in your hand. If Fellowes reads this, and they can improve w/ this suggestion, I think they'll sell a ton of the Type N Go.

So this product is good, it just needs a refinement for better holding. One last note, I'm right handed, so using the Type N Go feels okay. I'm not sure left handed users will be comfortable using this, I don't know, just a thought.....

Rating:
Summary: Hmm, very interesting product, to say the least.....
Review: I bought one today, I just had to try this out. I own the Targus folding keyboard. But w/ that keyboard, you are limited to where you can use it, but I do like the Targus keyboard.

After loading the software & having a chance to try it out (Type N Go), I am not sure if I like the Type N Go. The other reviewers are right about this product. It will not work w/ your Handspring, if the connection w/ the Type N Go is not good. So adding some tape or velcro to the top will add tension. And the lock does have a tenedency to become unlock. So be aware of this flaw. Using the keyboard is awkward. I guess it will take some time to get used to. I just have to learn how all the different keys/functions work. I know it took a little time to get used to the Targus keyboard. The buttons are on the small side, but I can easily type faster than using the graffiti writing. You can pretty much do all the functions on the Type N Go. BUT, you still have to use a stylus on some functions. Do not be misled that the stylus is used minimal. But something that has not been mentioned from other reviewers is, the Type N Go has its own stylus, that is built in on back of the case. This is a nice feature, that you do not have to unlock the Handspring to use that stylus. It's just a plain stylus w/ no ball point pen. But it is accessible if you need to use a stylus for some functions.

The case is a bit bulky. But not as bulky as when I had a Targus case to carry the Handspring & the Targus keyboard. What's nice about the Type N Go case is, it will protect your Handspring & you can do most functions using the keyboard. With the Targus keyboard, I had to hook up the Handspring to it. For those who own the Targus keyboard, you know how difficult it can be to dock your Handspring to it. It can be quite frustrating at times. Also, there is a backlight button on the Type N Go. You can toggle the backlight to be on or off, not like the backlight on the Handspring, which will turn off your unit, then you have to it turn back on.

With the Type N Go, after I get used to it, I may not have to use the graffiti anymore. I just need to get used to holding it, see what feels comfortable. After a few minutes of holding the case, you're hand gets a bit tired. The case & the Handspring weighs some, & you will feel the weight after some time using. I've tried putting it down flat on the table. Works great, but the glare from the light affects the screen. So tilting it helps.

This product is a good idea, but something that would improve on the design would be to somehow lock the case open flat. Or to have it locked slightly folded, so you can have a better hold in your hand. If Fellowes reads this, and they can improve w/ this suggestion, I think they'll sell a ton of the Type N Go.

So this product is good, it just needs a refinement for better holding. One last note, I'm right handed, so using the Type N Go feels okay. I'm not sure left handed users will be comfortable using this, I don't know, just a thought.....

Rating:
Summary: Horrible product
Review: I had high hopes for this product. I wasn't interested in a portable keyboard, just a case. However the keyboard was a nice touch. Sadly I had a difficult time finding the driver on the CD-ROM (I have a Mac, and the CD is for Windows people). Fellowes tech support finally told me where it was -- turns out the manual that comes with the case was totally mistaken.

The bigger problem is that I only got the product to work once. After that I could bang on the keys all day and nothing would happen. Save your money and buy a real keyboard if you need one. Stay away from this item.

Rating:
Summary: Great concept, poorly executed
Review: One wonders if anyone at Fellowes tested this out before manufacture.

The bad -

Dock Lock: The first unit I received had such a flimsy lock that the keyboard would not stay docked with my Visor Neo. I tried tape, but it was only partly effective and makes removing the PDA for Hotsync difficult. And for the price, one shouldn't have to hold the thing together with tape! On advice of Fellowes customer service, I exchanged the keyboard/case for another. The tiny lock is much better but still prone to disengage occasionally, so I must ensure it's still latched before I turn on the PDA. Customer service is also sending me a shim kit that is supposed to help the Neo fit more snugly.

Stylus: The stylus (still needed at times) is cheap plastic with a poor feel, but the PDA's much nicer one is inaccessible in this case. The stylus conveniently stores in the back of the case, but this prevents the case from lying completely flat, so typing is sometimes a little bouncy.

Keyboard: At the most, two fingers can be comfortably used for typing. Since the left side of the case is thicker than the right which contains the keyboard, using the left hand is more difficult because it bumps against the side of the case. I have yet to find a use for some of the buttons.

The good -

Sturdy case.
Quicker, more error-free character entry that with Graffiti (at least for me).
Useful enough to be a keeper despite its flaws, but I'll keep an eye out for the next generation.

Rating:
Summary: Horrible product
Review: This is a great product but it has one flaw. The dock does not have enough tension on it so sometimes when you turn on the Visor it will freeze. The lock is not keeping it locked into place. This is my second one with the same problem. The solution is two pieces of double edge tape in the top. This provides enough tension. I have had no problems since installing the "fix".

Rating:
Summary: Great product but............
Review: This is a great product but it has one flaw. The dock does not have enough tension on it so sometimes when you turn on the Visor it will freeze. The lock is not keeping it locked into place. This is my second one with the same problem. The solution is two pieces of double edge tape in the top. This provides enough tension. I have had no problems since installing the "fix".

Rating:
Summary: Does double duty nicely
Review: When I was planning the purchase of a keyboard for my Visor Deluxe, I considered the larger portable keyboards, but they were too big even when folded (like carrying 2 PDAs), needed to be connected every time you wanted to type, and require a flat surface for use.
This item addresses these problems nicely. Because it serves as a PDA case and a keyboard, the total size is nearly the same as a paperback, which I know may be too big for some, but perfectly manageable. The case itself is pretty tough, and the keyboard is always connected to the PDA (and easily disconnects for Hotsyncing or going light) so it's always available, like when that quick note turns into a magnum opus. And although this item works best on a flat surface, you can definitely use it while holding it in your hands. An additional feature is that the case is partially covered in a nonskid surface so that when the case is open it won't slide, like off an airplane tray table.
As might be expected, you have to accept some inherent design compromises, which to me were acceptable. First, the keyboard - which resembles a Blackberry - is not as well situated as a Blackberry, since it is on the side opposite the PDA when the clamshell case is open. This makes for awkward typing. Another problem, reported by another reviewer (THANKS!), is that the PDA can be a little loose in the plug, but a few discrete layers of double-sided tape increased the tension so that this problem is eliminated.
For me these shortcomings are acceptable compared to those of the large keyboards. Very handy PDA accessory!