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Belkin F8U1500 IR Universal Wireless Keyboard

Belkin F8U1500 IR Universal Wireless Keyboard

List Price: $69.99
Your Price: $38.94
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Very Compact & Stylish
Review: I picked up this keyboard for my Toshiba e355 which runs Pocket PC 2003. When I first tried to install the keyboard drivers using the supplied CD, it did not work. You have to go to Belkin's website to download the new drivers for PPC 2003.

After the brief installation mishap, I was typing away. All the keys are much smaller than your regular desktop keyboard, or even most laptop keyboards. The small keys definitely make me type more slowly.

It took a little getting used to such tiny keys, but their size allows the overall size of the keyboard when folded up to be wonderfully compact. I was also very impressed by the stylishness of this Belkin product (compared to the others I've owned which are all office gray). The exterior is made of some metal alloy (like many laptops these days so it doesn't feel like cheap plastic), making the entire keyboard feel like a very sturdy piece of equipment. The silver tone of the exterior is also quite attractive--more so than the Targus model!

Another benefit is that it runs off one AAA battery. Some of the other wireless keyboards use the more expensive (and tiny) lithium batteries.

As for actual typing, I'd say it takes a bit more pressure to use this keyboard compared to most full-size keyboards. The up arrow is placed awkwardly in between the / key and the shift key, making the shift key much less accessible if you have small hands like me.

There are 4 customizable buttons that are very handy. I use them to quickly launch the calculator, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, and the Contacts program. There are no function (F1 - F12) keys.

The infrared wireless feature is pretty good. I can still move my keyboard around a bit without losing signal. It sure beats additional wires, but I'm looking forward to affordable Bluetooth keyboards someday.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this keyboard. I wasn't sure if it'd work with the Toshiba e355 and PPC 2003, but it does seamlessly! One comment about another review's frustrations in finding out that this keyboard doesn't work with Sony PDA's...Sony makes just about everything proprietary, including its PDA compatibility technology. While shopping for this keyboard, I ran into several ones made by Sony exclusively for Sony PDAs. I'm not surprised that Belkin didn't pay Sony exorbatent fees to license Sony's proprietary technology to make this keyboard Sony-compatible.

The keyboard is made in China, as most accessories are these days. I guess that helps make them so affordable.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Fine with TMobile PocketPC/XDA
Review: I wanted to add this review because the mac/clie users had given such poor reviews (Note that Belkin sells a different one for Clie's). Not shipping with drivers for Pocket/Mobile 2003 OS is kind of silly too, but I guess they are downloadable. However, I've had no problem with this keyboard. The Tmobile pocket pcs have the 2002 Windows mobile OS, so the supplied software installs readily. Warning: soft reboot your PocketPC after the install before trying to get the keyboard to work - I lost 15 minutes that way. Typical crummy OS issue.
Complaints about a crappy stand are justified, but I found some double sided tape on the little wire which supports the PDA adds stability. Some sort of rubber would aid in keeping the stand from sliding on slick surfaces (like airplane trays) also, though a napkin works too. Complaints about the IR port being on the wrong side of the PDA are also justified - if the included screen rotation doesn't work (or it's not in the OS), you're hosed. Screen rotation did work on the XDA, though it's not needed. The keyboard works fairly well, though there is a lag when you are using the shift key. It's smaller than normal, but not much worse than a super small laptop. OH, and it also needs a flat surface to type on. A keyboard that locks in the back would be preferable. Overall, I was happy with this keyboard because it really turns your PDA into a nice laptop substitute, as far as writing documents or entering data goes. But it could be improved.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Works with T-Mobile Pocket PC
Review: Nice compact package. Typing takes some getting used to, but all in all a great portable solution. I keep both pocket pc and keyboard in small purse. I can set up in just a minute. I 'enable' software, hold the shift keys down a few seconds and move the divice less than an inch around until detected, then I'm ready to use the keyboard for input. Use with TextMaker, I.E. (surfing the web), Pocket Word, Excel, Notes, etc. I get creative when I'm using the keyboard and 'charging' with hotsync cradle. I use a cup or something to 'push' stand close enough to back of the device to reflect IR signal. Works fine. Have fun!


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