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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: paobit on Tue, 26 August 2014, 02:59:23

Title: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: paobit on Tue, 26 August 2014, 02:59:23
Hey guys I just started school and was thinking of buying a laptop. Then I realized I spent alot of money on some "end-game" KB's such as a duck, gon, etc. and I actually wanna show these off  :p. Then I realized buying a laptop would be too bulky and weird since I want to use these KB's. Do you guys have any experience on finding any tablets good for college use but can also be compatible with these keyboards?

I was thinking somewhere along the performance line of a surface pro 3 where it is made to be almost like a work laptop.

hehe basically a laptop without a built in keyboard.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 26 August 2014, 11:36:50
As far as I understand, any tablet that has a fullsize USB A plug should accommodate a keyboard out of the box. Others have a micro AB OTG plug where you will need an adapter or USB hub with OTG plug to use keyboards. Some other models have neither of those, some may have some proprietary adapter that will allow it, but not necessarily.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 26 August 2014, 12:09:24
^^^^

fancy keyboards are just regular keyboards on the inside
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Tue, 26 August 2014, 12:11:54
^^^^

fancy keyboards are just regular keyboards on the inside

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: hwood34 on Tue, 26 August 2014, 12:30:15
The, the only real problems you might run into are plugging in things that require drivers, which the tablet won't accept
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: taylordcraig on Tue, 26 August 2014, 12:31:40
^^^^

fancy keyboards are just regular keyboards on the inside

(Attachment Link)

Can't tell if sarcasm:
statement is right and wrong for a plethora of reasons.

edit: also regular could mean anything.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 26 August 2014, 12:50:43
I forgot about drivers

I dunno

It's a keyboard by keyboard basis

I'm sure data exists on this somewhere
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: Smasher816 on Tue, 26 August 2014, 13:00:08
Also keep in mind that some keyboards draw more than others. Ex: plugging a HHKB into your phone via a usb otg cable might not work. I'v heard some people get around it with a (powered) usb hub, but that seems kind of against the whole portability point.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: esoomenona on Tue, 26 August 2014, 13:03:35
Any tablet that does USB OTG should run a keyboard just fine.

I connected a backlit keyboard with a mousepad to my phone, turned the backlighting up all the way, and it worked just fine.

edit: picture: http://i.imgur.com/kYRjlTm.jpg
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 26 August 2014, 13:25:03
I forgot about drivers

I dunno

It's a keyboard by keyboard basis

I'm sure data exists on this somewhere
Most keyboards use the standard USB HID drivers which you can get for android (though most devices with a USB OTG port should just have them) as well as windows RT devices. If you have a fancy keyboard with macro keys that needs a driver to assign them, that functionality might work, also USB NKRO might not work.

Other than that, the KBs should be the same.
Any tablet that does USB OTG should run a keyboard just fine.

I connected a backlit keyboard with a mousepad to my phone, turned the backlighting up all the way, and it worked just fine.

edit: picture: http://i.imgur.com/kYRjlTm.jpg
Not all USB OTG ports can deliver full power. When the galaxy S3 was released they did tests and were impressed it could power a USB hub & multiple devices as well as spin up a portable HDD
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: urbancamo on Tue, 26 August 2014, 13:25:12
Anyone tried a Filco Bluetooth or Matias Bluetooth keyboard with tablets? Are there any linux options for tablets? I'd consider that as a goer!
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: taylordcraig on Tue, 26 August 2014, 14:50:36
matt3o has a minila, maybe he could comment
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: paobit on Tue, 26 August 2014, 19:26:37
hmm maybe a laptop would be less complicated
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: dorkvader on Tue, 26 August 2014, 19:38:57
hmm maybe a laptop would be less complicated

dockable tablets like asus t100 and suchlike are generally pretty compatible. something to think about if you don't need the performance a laptop offers.

otherwise I'd just go with a business-class laptop and use it for the next 6 years or so.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: paobit on Tue, 26 August 2014, 19:51:15
Will probably look into it more  :thumb:
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Tue, 26 August 2014, 22:45:18
I have the asus TF201 with the dock and I plug my Poker 2 in it
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: tjcaustin on Tue, 26 August 2014, 22:56:32
You should buy a kbt pro from a reputable user here on gh.  It has bluetooth and will sync with 3 devices (not at once).  Also, it's pretty solid.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: WakeMeIPlan on Wed, 27 August 2014, 12:35:09
I have a Nexus 7 and I just connect my pure into it with an OTG cable.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: Oobly on Wed, 27 August 2014, 13:27:27
Any tablet with a full size USB port or OTG accessory will work. 99% of mechanical keyboards don't require specific drivers. They just work as a standard USB HID. If a board does use drivers it's usually to support extra features and the basic functions should still work without.
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: paobit on Fri, 29 August 2014, 10:45:04
I got a surface pro 3 and my poker 2 works like a charm! BTW this is an awesome tablet that runs like a full blown laptop/desktop. It runs windows 8.1 pro...not RT. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who is even slightly interested
Title: Re: tablets compatible with end-game KB's mentioned here?
Post by: Jixr on Tue, 02 September 2014, 12:02:59
with an ipad, you'll need the lightning to usb ( camera connection kit )

And note it IS power limited, so basically backlit and programmable keyboards won't work.

Though you can plug the keyboard into a power hub ( unpowered ) and then plug that into the ipad and it will work just fine.

( the ipad limits power output based on the number of ports that it has access to as a power saving feature )