On portable keyboards and differences between 17, 18, 19 mm key spacing

[Eug]

It's interesting to see just how much the mobile revolution has changed our approach to user input devices. I remember buying the old Stowaway folding full-sized portable keyboard from Think Outside for my Handspring Visor. That thing was an epiphany, with the same key spacing as my desktop keyboard, but foldable and portable, and worked with the tiny Visor. However, the Visor was unstable with it, and occasionally would crash with the keyboard input, so it was kind of pointless.

I note that cheap Chinese vendors and Amazon are now selling a Bluetooth 3.0 version of it, with the exact same form factor. It's identical to my old Stowaway keyboard.

http://www.amazon.ca/Wireless-Bluet...&sr=8-10&keywords=foldable+bluetooth+keyboard

Main problem though is that it's heavy and kinda big. Well over half a pound, and almost an inch thick when folded.

I recently bought a Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard, and within 20 minutes I had wrist pain trying to type on that thing. The key spacing was much, much smaller, and it was easily noticeable. Plus the thing isn't really very portable anyway. Works great for a tablet on a desk though because of the integrated cover stand... and if you can stand the small key spacing.

I then ordered the ancient iGo Stowaway keyboard which is advertised as a full-sized keyboard.

I haven't received it yet, but in my readings it is spec'd as being smaller than the full-sized Stowaway. However, after looking at all the numbers, it seems it's different from the Wedge too.

Standard desktop key spacing: 19 mm
Microsoft Wedge key spacing: 17 mm
Original Stowaway key spacing: 19 mm
iGo Stowaway key spacing: 18 mm

I see that the Ontario Health and Safety Act (OHSA) recommends a key-spacing of 18-19 mm in their guidelines for safe computing.

http://blog.laptopmag.com/how-to-pick-a-good-keyboard

Some articles say that anything from 17-19 is OK, with significant losses of productivity at 16 mm and 21 mm, but I can definitely tell you that 17 mm physically hurts me after a short period. 18 mm - 19 mm is considered standard, but most are 19 mm.

https://ergoweb.com/new-research-on...yping-speed-error-usability-and-biomechanics/

I hope the 18 mm size is more usable for me, but at least this keyboard usage is for quick on-the-go purposes, like when I'm at a coffee shop, not long typing sessions. Furthermore, the middle fold locks into place on this iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim (Sonoma) keyboard. The full-size 19 mm Stowaway (Sierra) keyboard is much heavier and thicker. It fits in my pocket but not very comfortably.

http://pocketnow.com/review/igo-stowaway-sierra-bluetooth-keyboard

If not, I'll just have to buy that 19 mm true full-size tri-fold Stowaway keyboard, and just keep it in the car or something.

 

[Eug]

Just got the folding portable Stowaway portable Bluetooth keyboard. It works much better for me. The 18 mm key spacing isn't quite full size, but it is a much better feel than the 17 mm of the Microsoft Wedge. Also, the key travel of the Stowaway keyboard is totally awesome. Feels better than many desktop keyboards.

Impressive piece of engineering.

The only thing that really takes getting used to is the lack of the number row. The top letter row doubles as the number row, if you hold down the blue Fn key. Actually, this threw me for a loop initially since pairing is dependent upon number entry. I kept on trying to pair but it wouldn't because I wasn't holding down the Fn key when typing in the numbers, meaning I was actually typing in letters. But once it was paired, it worked well.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Does it lay completely flat? I hate squishness and travel.

 

[Eug]

Good question. Unlike other folding keyboards, this one locks into place when unfolded. For this reason, it doesn't have the mushiness of its big brother trifold version. (The big brother tri-fold one is mushy because it bends at the folds.)

However its base is that middle part that you can see sticking out the top and bottom.

What this means is the far left and far right edges are not directly supported. Thus, if you mash too hard on the return key or something, it is possible to make the entire keyboard tilt.

 

[Eug]

The new LG Rolly looks like a great idea...

http://www.androidcentral.com/lg-rolly-solid-rollable-full-size-keyboard-your-smartphone-or-tablet

...until you find out it's got a 17 mm key pitch. Damn. It looks great otherwise.