Source: Tom's Hardware – Keywords: laser, keyboard
Categories: Consumer Electronics, Hardware
Physical Properties/Technology/Power Requirements
I heard the VKB was about the size of a pack of Tic-Tics. However, it is much bigger, measuring 3"x1"x1." This isn’t that "space-saving," as it’s not that compact and is thick. I found carrying around a Belk in foldable to be just as convenient, since you can slip it in your pocket as it is less thick. The 6315’s included thumb board is just as small or smaller as the VKB. You need a flat surface to accommodate the Vibe’s projection area, which isn’t a requirement for a thumb board or a foldable keyboard.
The VKB is sturdily constructed and comes with a leather pouch. A red laser projecting the keyboard beams from the top with the power supply at the lower left and reset settings on the bottom right. Latency settings allow for auto-shutoff if unused; if the unit is picked up, a sensor on the bottom automatically powers it down. The extended projection window/keyboard size was 3.5" x 11" with the VKB approximately 7.5" back from the opening projection line. In contrast, the space profile for the Belk in foldable was 3 5/8" x 10.5" and the thumb board simply attached to the PDA.
The model I received shipped with an internal rechargeable battery and included an AC adapter/North American pin converter. Battery life was very good. I found it took little time to fully recharge, while it held a charge well. I had left the keyboard in my car for over a month and found it near the charge it was left at. The total typing time I experienced with my unit was about three hours.
- Previous page Introduction
- Next page Accuracy And Typing Experience
- Microsoft Breeds Four Unique Mice
- A Few Office Keyboards Reviewed
- Inspire the artist in you on the cheap with two affordable graphic...
- The Ultimate Mouse Hunt Part Two
- The Ultimate Mouse Hunt
- Color Laser Printers at Bargain Prices
- Microsoft MCE Keyboard: The Missing Link
- Logitech Harmony Pilots: No More "Remote Control Bloat"?
- Are You Key-Bored? Maybe It's Time For Something New
- Razer's Diamondback: The Mouse that Roars?
- TiVo OS is not PNP
- wireless mouse goes comatose
- Notebook for solo attorney
- Problem installing USB printers on Dell 4500
- HP Laptop - Reliable?
- Need recommendations
- Problem with Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave on PS/2
- Logitech LX Keyboard with MX1000 Laser Mouse?
- Newbie Seeking Advice (1st non-Gateway Custom job)
Yes, the lack of tactile feedback is annoying - you can't touch-type. I find myself looking at the keyboard, and the projected key positions and where they register don't quite line up on my unit (I need to aim at the side of the key nearer to the device), but allowing for that, accuracy is reasonable. There's some lag in key presses reaching my mobile (Portege G900), so I'm reliant on looking at the keys rather than the screen, but it doesn't usually lose keys. Fortunately, I don't keep my fingers on the "home" keys on qwerty anyway - I don't look at the keyboard, but I only do the traditional touch-typing thing on dvorak.
It's nothing like as good as a real keyboard, but it *is* much smaller than the folding keyboard I own (which, to be fair, is much bigger than the Palm version which I also own), and I can't get the folding keyboard to work with my G900, so it's the laser keyboard or the integrated keyboard(/thumb board) on the device - and the laser keyboard *is* faster. It's a bit chubby, but it's small enough to leave in my bag for when I need it.
I've not had brightness problems, but I've not tried using it outside (I wouldn't be able to see the screen on my device anyway). I'd find it much more usable if the keyboard projected from the side (side-to-side space is much easier for me to arrange than front-to-back space - especially on a train or on a desk full of monitors), but I guess the fingers would shade each other much more; perhaps the best that could be done is to make the device thinner and have it project more closely to itself.
Yes, it's a gadget. I got it when I saw one on special, expecting it to be entertaining but almost useless. It's not brilliant, but it's much better than I was expecting - it *is* usable. So long as you're not expecting too much, you may find the same. I may change my opinion after I've got Emacs installed on my phone and I start to use it in anger.