Customer Reviews: Read 20 more reviews...
 Good, thin, and functional October 4, 2007
Peter (NJ and VA)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful
Here's a quick version of my thoughts: It has extra keys that make the plus and zero keys the size of most other keys instead of their typical double size, the keys are harder to press than your typical laptop keys, and there's a disconcerting warning about lead. However, it's thin, looks nice and simple, has keys that feel more like those on a standard keyboard, and, most importantly, is a keypad! I like it a lot, and it's worlds better than any way of entering numbers on a numpadless laptop keyboard. And now, the gory details:
All the usual keys are there, but the designer seemed to think it would be a good idea to stick in two extra keys, cutting two others down to standard size in the process. If you get used to using the new backspace key instead of flipping your hand over to the main keyboard for all your error correction needs, I think it could be quite helpful. However, it takes over the minus key's usual spot, forcing it down to where the top half of the plus key should be. This took me a bit of getting used to, but if you're used to Mac keyboards, you'll be right at home. The other new key has only two purposes: to enter three zeros with a single keystroke, and to replace the right half of the normal zero/insert key. I don't think either purpose is very good, but hey.
Next up is that lead warning that another reviewer mentioned. It was a bit disconcerting, but I'm lazily hoping it's a warning along the lines of cancerous things in California and nut-free candy made in factories that use peanuts. But if you're concerned about this sort of thing, it's probably better to save yourself the trouble and do without.
As far as the general look and feel are concerned, I really like this thing. The tops of the keys only sit about 2cm above the surface the pad's sitting on, yet they depress about as far as a full-sized keyboard's would. If you've gotten into laptop keyboard mode, they feel like they require a lot of extra effort to press, but they feel pretty good otherwise. The only real oddity with the key pressing is that the numlock key doesn't toggle unless you let go of it within half a second. I have no idea what purpose that could serve, but there you go. The whole thing feels solidly built, and it doesn't have bulky protrusions and LCD screens all over the place. The two USB ports up top (which are great for my 3-port laptop) hold on very well to the devices you feed them. I usually have a wireless mouse receiver hooked up to one, and I've had no problems after attaching a bluetooth receiver or a printer to the remaining port. Other reviewers have had power-related problems, though, so if you have really hungry devices, plug them directly into your computer instead, if you can. Finally, it is a corded device, and the cord is about two and a half feet long. Plenty long unless you intend to use it as a remote control or want to use it with a desktop computer that's not on your desktop. I usually plug it into the left side of my laptop with the cord running around the back, and there's lots of slack left in it.
That's all I can think of. If you need a keypad and want something thin and clean-looking, this should do the trick.
 Strange warning about lead in box August 15, 2007
Patrick E. (NH US)
7 out of 17 found this review helpful
The keypad itself seems fine. But the box mine came in contained an "important product information" sheet that said that this product was known to the state of California to contain lead, and in particular that "handling the cord" would expose the user to lead, and that hands should be washed after touching.
????!?!?!?!?
Of course, it's made in China. Edit: I sent it back today. With small children in the house and all the recent China/lead/poison news, this is not staying.
 Pretty Good product January 16, 2007
William Jimenez (Oahu, Hawaii)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
This product is pretty good. It has 2 additional USB ports (Speed is not 2.0 on the additional ports). Everything is great the only thing I found that was wrong was the feel for the keys. You kind of have to press them hard. But it takes a while to get used to when you are already used to the Laptop key board.
 Good while it lasted March 12, 2007
E. Nordgren (Georgia)
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
I used this 10-key USB keypad for a couple of hours, then it caused my spreadsheet to whig out when certain keys were pressed. Returned for refund, unfortunately Amazon added on shipping costs that were not present when I purchased the item (ie they didn't return the full purchase price because of the over $25 free shipping which I had taken advantage of, not the morally upright road if you ask me).
Very nice little keypad August 16, 2007
IAMSLICK
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I bought this for my wife who has a Toshiba laptop, and she couldn't be happier with this keypad. She does a lot of data entry, and this keypad is comfortable to use, has a similar feel as her Toshiba laptop keyboard, and it's very easy to install. Just plug into a USB port and it works.
I highly recommend this keypad.
|
