HP Slim Keyboard Expansion Pack for iPAQ 3800, 3900, 4100, 5100, 5400, 5500 Series

Rating:
Summary: Eh. Hard to get used to and very "un-ergonomic".
Review: I sometimes rather use the soft-keyboard that is built in, since that annoying screen protector is always in the way. Also the keyboard has shown me no glitches, but it is very hard to use especially in the dark [since it has no backlight].

I keep it on at all times, just in case... I recommend it for those who do A LOT of typing on the go.

Also it is possible to use the Targus [Stowaway] keyboard with it, you just have to make sure that the other device is disabled when using the current typing device respectively.


Rating:
Summary: Doesn't even work half the time
Review: It is all in the title. The first time I tried to use the slim keyboard it wouldn't work. I tried a number of time here and there but never could get it to do anything when I typed on the keys. I tired it again a few months later and the miracle is that the keyboad worked. Then I recharged my ipaq and tried the slim keyboard again and again it didn't work. I have tried a number of thing thinking it was perhaps me who was stupid. Turns out it is the key board that is stupid. Go figure. Well HP looks as if you have done it again.

Rating:
Summary: I like it but there are quarks.....
Review: It works well after I spent time working with HP customer service. Here is what happened:
I bought the slim keyboard (let's call it "s1") here at Amazon. When I insert my IPAQ 5555 the first time after following instructions to upload softwares...etc. Nothing worked. Hitting the keys did not put any letters in the test area. When I set the whole contraption on the cradle, I can see it is connected. Light came on. My desk top wouldn't recognize the device at all. What happened was the s1 and my ipaq didn't fit perfectly. You can't just push it in. You have to push it forward (with fingers on battery side) as you slide it down to get to hearing a "click" as it is described in the manual. (I found this tip from searching the net). Even so, the contacts were not flush with each other.

I called HP service (they are great). They shipped me a replacement right away. I got it in 2 days. Let's call the 2nd one "s2". Apparently the s1 from Amazon was from an older batch. s2 fits easily and much better. Still, nothing worked. IPAQ won't sync with s2 attached via the cradle.
Called HP and they told me that the slim keyboard was developed for early IPAQ models while 5555 was newly added. They also pointed out that there were firmware and software updates for my 5555 at the HP download sites. One of the firmwares is a bios update. I thought "Oh, Great!", I was going to screw up everything now updating the bios myself. I didn't have much luck updating bios on my desktop before. So I backed up my files. Get all the extra software I loaded ready so I can reload everything afterwards. Updating bios will erase everything and restore to factory defaults. Well I did it and s2 worked beautifully. I sent my s1 back to HP.
Then I noticed the s2 has some foreign characters on the alternate keys (those that you get to with hitting the "function" key first). It looks like that the keyboard is built for a different country. So, I called HP again. They sent me another replacement keyboard (s3). I sent back s2.
Well, s3 has the "z" and the "y" keys switched position. I called HP, got them to send s4 and I returned s3.
Now, I have been using the s4 for months and loved it. With s4 attached, the unit is too long to fit in any carrying case, so I have to be careful. It also covers up the finger print scanner, so that feature is out.

My experience: I love HP customer service. They were nice. They called me for followups after my call to see if everything was working each time. They shipped promptly and returning was easy. Didn't cost me a dime. Cost HP a lot I am sure. At first I didn' t like the extra plastic cover because when I need to touch screen, I have to open it. What a hassle. Now I am used to it.


Rating:
Summary: Good hardware concept - poorly executed software
Review: Keyboard is well designed and fits solidly to Ipaq. Keys are well defined and provide positive feedback when pressed. A see-through plastic cover like the one that comes with the basic unit is attached to the keyboard and serves to protect the screen if the unit is in your pocket or briefcase. Overall good ergonomics for the hardware.
I'd like to say I leave the slim keyboard attached all the time and use it regularly, but I don't because it doesn't deliver in performance. The software is buggy and conflicts with other programs. Sometimes it works fine, other times it types random characters - other times it doesn't type at all. Despite HP's updates to the driver, it is still buggy, so it sits in a drawer until HP releases another update, then I'll try it again. I also have the HP folding keyboard which I use regularly without any problems, so I have to conclude it is a problem with the slim keyboard. Attempts to bring the problems to the attention of HP resulted in no reply to my emails.