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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: megarat on Sun, 16 November 2008, 00:45:03

Title: smallest "full-sized" keyboard?
Post by: megarat on Sun, 16 November 2008, 00:45:03

So on Friday one of the IT guys at work approached me, knowing that I was a "keyboard snob" (his words, can't argue).  He's looking for an ultra-small keyboard that he can keep as part of his IT toolkit.  A good part of his job is fixing workstations in the field, and apparently he has enough of a need for a known-working keyboard that he wants to keep one with the rest of his kit.

He's looking for something similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Mini-Keyboard-Black-USB/dp/B000BSLU28/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1226815516&sr=8-2

and it's appx. 4"x9", although he wants to know if anything smaller exists.  He doesn't need to touch-type, or even hunt-and-peck rapidly ... just be able to type some commands into an ailing Dell or Sun workstation.  Even something Blackberry-sized would be fine (that would probably be ideal, actually).

I've looked around myself, and while the keyboard in the URL above goes by many other names, I've only been able to find:

(1) Super-Tiny(TM):  http://usb.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00666
(2) Tiny Thumb-Pad:  http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=10779
(3) Those goofball roll-up membrane keyboards.

Any suggestions?

(Oh, and other requirements:  (a) it needs to be USB, (b) neither wireless, nor requiring batteries in any way, and (c) driver-free.  The FrogPad doesn't qualify.  (d) Foldable is okay, perhaps, but not roll-up/flexible; basically, it needs to be able to work on non-flat surfaces, like his lap, I suppose, or whilst held in one hand when standing up in a server room.)

On a related (but not-qualifying, as it's not USB) note, I did find this, which looks pretty trippy:

http://www.freedominput.com/site/index.php?Itemid=30&id=13&option=com_content&task=view

Title: smallest "full-sized" keyboard?
Post by: bhtooefr on Sun, 16 November 2008, 00:58:37

This is smaller than that Super Mini keyboard when folded, and probably would be better than that tiny thumb pad... although I don't see any F-keys:

http://secure.tabletkiosk.com/tkstore/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=42&idproduct=165

Title: smallest "full-sized" keyboard?
Post by: lowpoly on Sun, 16 November 2008, 06:26:57

I would have suggested the Brando as well. The foldable ones don't save volume anyway but are probably not as reliable in the field over time.

Or the Keysonic Nano.