PalmOne Ultra Thin Keyboard for Palm m130, Tungsten, m515, and i705 series

The Palm/Stowaway ultrathin comes housed in a sleek, aluminum skin that unfolds in the middle to reveal a comfortable, full-size keyboard. The small size is achieved by removing the top row of numbers, and by splitting the space bar down the middle. Typing is remarkably accurate. Keeping my thumb to one side of the dual space bar took a bit of practice, as did inputting numbers using the "function" key and the top row of letters. Fortunately, there's also a "function lock" key which accomplishes this feat full-time.

This ultrathin keyboard is striking for its extraordinary small size and sleek appearance. It never fails to elicit oohs and aahs when I unfurl it in meetings. And people are still impressed that I can take notes - and input action items directly into my to-do list - without ever having to use traditional pen and paper.

I might also mention that the ultrathin keyboard stays completely rigid when it's open. This is great for typing on one's lap (like a notebook computer) -- which is something my previous Palm keyboard wouldn't do since it was floppy in the center.

I've tried other ultrathin keyboards from Belkin (2) and Pocketop, and all are decent; but none are as good as the Palm. The Belkin units position the shift key in an inconvenient position far out to the right. And the Pocketop requires a special stand and reflector in order to receive the keyboard's infrared signal, which made the combined unit (keyboard and stand) much more cumbersome to carry.

Since it fits easily into my pocket, I've found the Palm ultrathin to be my keyboard of choice for taking to meetings. At my desk, however, I still prefer the original Palm keyboard, since inputting phone numbers and due dates into my Palm is something I do quite frequently, especially when I'm checking my voice-mail.

Installing the software is very straightforward. If you plan, however, to use both keyboards (old and new) as I do, here's a watch out. The ultrathin keyboard software will replace the original keyboard software when you install it. Both keyboards will run just fine. But strangely, I've found that I need to soft boot my Palm whenever I switch between keyboards - since using one will normally screw-up the key recognition by the other.

If you're looking for a keyboard that's more portable and sleek than the original, this new Palm ultrathin is exceptional. Among the new ultrathins - it is definitely the one to get!


Confusing...at first   December 28, 2002
Thomas C. Nagy (Ebensburg, PA USA)
26 out of 28 found this review helpful

I ordered this keyboard after trying the "Thumbboard" which was an absolute disaster. It took me about two days of trial and error to get the feel of this new keyboard. More challenging was figuring out how to navigate my Palm 515 without switching between stylus and keyboard. However, after persistence and a bit of frustration, the keyboard is a gem. I can now do almost anything with my Palm that I can do with my laptop. The keyword in that last sentence was "almost." If you have a great deal of patience, then this keyboard will work just fine for you!


Looks cool but this keyboard is inferior   September 23, 2003
14 out of 16 found this review helpful

I had no problems getting the keyboard to work - though there is an annoying bug in the current driver that creates a hassle for syncing to a Mac.
The beauty of a portable keyboard is that you can really type quickly and comfortably, as if you were using a standard computer. But the Ultra-thin has slightly smaller key spacing. Also, certains keys are smaller and displaced slightly from their position on a normal keyboard. One can't just focus on the content of what you are writing, rather, it is necessary to pay attention to where your fingers are going. The space bar, delete key are problematic as well as those characters such as parens that require unusual combinations of keystrokes.
The ultra-thin does have greater rigidity, but this is not useful because the whole unit with the weight of the PDA attached is too unstable to use if not at least on a magazine on your lap -- and this is certainly enough support for the standard palm keyboard. Also the Ultra-thin is unsupported at the ends of the keyboard, so it can be unstable when typing keys at the right and left extremes of the keyboard (this is not a problem with the standard keyboard since it is flat on the bottom)
Palm's standard portable keyboard is infinitely more comfortable to use. This far outweighs a marginally more cool look. I returned my ultra-thin and bought the palm portable.
I think those who think the ultrathin is great - are comparing it to entering lots of text with the stylus -- it is certainly an improvement over that! However, for a touch typist interested in productivity, the Ultra-thin is inferior.


Tungsten Owners Beware!!!   April 28, 2006
C. Stevens (New York, NY United States)
14 out of 15 found this review helpful

This keyboard is NOT compatable with the tungsten E or E2s (which do not use the 'universal' connector. I can't say anything about what other models may or may not work with it, but be aware that the Palm 'universal' connector is NOT in fact universal. It may be a marvelous keyboard, but I bought it based on the information that it was compatable with my palm...


Definately a 'must' have for Palm users.   July 7, 2003
Roy van Veen (Zwolle, Overijssel Netherlands)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Despite all warnings I did buy the keyboard, because I needed it. It works super om my Tungsten T. Really great.
Before this I owned a Palm V with the stowaway keyboard which I already rated high. But the ultraslim types just a little bit better. And I make my money typing .. so I'm a real hardcore user (also on graffiti).

pro's
First: it is stable. You can use it on your knees and in bed. Quite an improvement over the older keyboard I used... although the Mrs might think different about that :)
Second: key-quality is better. You have better control over your typing. I now know when I miss a letter (like I know it on my notebook) and that was a feeling I lacked using my older keyboard.
Third: it is fixed and firm. You can actually move the whole shebang while shifting locations without having to fold it. That alone saves me a lot of time.
Fourth: it is so much smaller im comparission with my older keyboard, while having the same functionality.

On the other side, the slim size comes with one 'problem': It has only 4 rows of keys. Although everything is present with green or blue FN keys, it forces me to look at my keyboard more than I would like to and it makes me hit air, while I'm looking for backspace ... something I still have to got used to.

In all a great piece of work, small and firm. Definately a must have.