Miniture

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:46 pm

I have just ordered an Asus Eee 4G Black Camera model, and am quite pumped about it.

I am thinking that it might make sense to get a compact full size keyboard to haul around with it. I don't want to be rash, and get a keyboard that isn't exactly what I want, so I thought I would ask you guys.

Things to keep in mind:
-Must be USB (can you even get PS/2 keyboards anymore)
-I want a full size keyboard with full size keys, but in as small a package as possible. Fold up would be fine assuming the quality is high.
-Must have linux drivers (I can't imagine there are many that don't).
-Around $20-$40.

khaag · Post by **khaag** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:56 pm

This one's super cheap... I don't know if it's what you're looking for or not...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/USB-SMALL-FOOTPRINT- ... dZViewItem

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:00 pm

khaag wrote:This one's super cheap... I don't know if it's what you're looking for or not...

http://cgi.ebay.ca/USB-SMALL-FOOTPRINT- ... dZViewItem

I had a look at that one, but it is a bit bigger than I would like.

Some other models I have considered:

http://www.ergomart.com/COMPUTER_KEYBOA ... OSP011.htm
-Waay to ugly. Also, I want a keyboard to do work on, and this looks just as uncomfortable as a mini keyboard. I think folding is the key.

Harshboy · Post by **Harshboy** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:11 pm

I use this:

It's a USB Keyboard for the PS2, which I modded for my Xbox, which I modded back for PC.

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:14 pm

What are the size/weight specs?

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 7:37 pm

Would a flexible keyboard do the trick? Only thing is they look to have mixed reviews, and you'll need a flat surface to put it on.

Post by **Triton** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:47 pm

i want a cherry keyboard, have heard good things about em but i think their ps/2 only

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:15 pm

I can't have ps/2, no port, and a flexi keyboard I think would be too fiddly, may as well stick with a miniature one at that point.

khaag · Post by **khaag** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:27 pm

There are PS/2 to USB converters aren't there? I mean, there are USB to PS/2 converters, there should be ones the other way around right?

Post by **bicostp** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:59 pm

I use an old Bondi blue iMac keyboard for my HTPC. It's bigger than some of the keyboards others have listed, but has a full number pad.

<a href="http://mini-blog.com/albums/imac/DSCN32 ... Picture</a>.

15.5 x 5.5 x approx. .4 inches, between half a pound and a pound.

It works on Macs (duh) and Windows, so I assume it would work fine on Linuix too.

Tie a string around the flexible height adjuster arm and it makes a great FoF controller! (Use 1-5 for the frets instead of F1 - F5, the iMac keyboard's F keys are less than half as tall as the rest of the keys.)

The only major drawbacks are the relatively short USB cord (33") and the lack of a Delete key. (Well, there's a key that says "delete", but it's really Backspace). You could probably re-map it to the "Help" key or something. But I guess the short cord would be nice for portability...

Overall it's a great keyboard, the smallest I've seen that's an actual desktop keyboard (no short throw laptop keys). It has a full number pad, 2 USB ports built in, really quiet keys, and it's loaded with translucent plastic that's just begging for LEDs. (Even the keys themselves are "smoke" grey translucent plastic.)

Post by **Triton** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:03 pm

the cherry mini keyboard is 11x5.25x1.25 or something like that, full throw proper keys as well, no numpad but eh. there might be a usb one i dont know tho

Felino · Post by **Felino** » Tue Jan 22, 2008 10:11 pm

bicostp wrote:I .....loaded with translucent plastic that's just begging for LEDs......

I did that, i ran smd leds around the blue edges, and fbres under each key, the fibres leading back to a 1w lux led. Worked well really, i have a photo somwere...

HazmatB · Post by **HazmatB** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:25 am

I looked up the cherry keyboard, and at 99 quid, or $200, that is half of what I payed for the damn computer!

Post by **Triton** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:20 am

ive seen them on ebay for ~20-40$ US

Post by **Sparkfist** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:37 am

I've been keeping an eye on Eee pc stuff and over at eeeusers.com they had this posted. http://beta.ivancover.com/wiki/index.ph ... l_Upgrades

Stuff like this makes me want to buy one badly. But I think I'll likely wait 'til they have the fan-less model in April.