• DNR Enterprises

• $50

• Durable
• Water proof
• High cool factor

• Poor typing
• Not very portable

Design:
Cost/benefit:
Coolness:
Overall:

Typing
The most important part of any keyboard: how well you can type with it! Personally, I'm not too fond of ergonomic keyboards - the split down the middle tends to slow down typing speeds. But some people I know swear by ergonomics, and refuse to use any keyboard that doesn't have a split down the middle. I guess one of the most important things to know about typing on this keyboard is that it's split.

Also, the keys have a rather odd feel to them when you're typing. It's hard to really tell whether or not you've hit a key, and if you have odds are you hit it twice. For the software to register a key as being pressed, it has to be pushed all the way. With a little adjustment to the drivers you can get a touch of improvement, but it still leaves much to be desired. The space bar also seems to be lacking. Instead of registering a keystroke the piece of plastic seems to bend. Also, the rubber over the space bar is loose, making the key feel somewhat slippery.

The keyboard includes a function key to access additional functions, such as the backlight and power button. There are also keys to represent the four application buttons, and with the use of the function key you can mimic the silkscreen buttons. While typing, the Palm is not propped up, requiring you to hover over it or find something nearby to lean it against. Overall, typing is halfway decent, and it makes you appreciate how easy it is to use your home keyboard.

Portability
The main advantage of having a PDA is portability, and the concept of a folding keyboard seems like a great way to work along with that ideal. Unfortunately, it was a better idea in theory then in practice. When rolled up as small as possible it's just a tad shorter and a bit wider then a can of soda. Although that is still a remarkably small size to cram a nearly full sized keyboard into, it isn't quite small enough to qualify as portable.

Miscellaneous
Where this keyboard lacks in ease of use and portability, it somewhat redeems itself in durability. It can be put throw a wide range of abuse, including spilt coffee, and not show a hint of damage. Another redeemable quality is the cool-factor. Although seriously lacking in functionality, this keyboard attracts a lot of looks. Both geeks and non-geeks stare together and look at the keyboard's flexibility.

Conclusion
Although it was a great idea, this keyboard leaves you wanting more and wondering why on earth you have it. The typing is difficult and hasslesome, and it isn't something you would want to carry around with you. For $50 I have a hard time justifying the expense on my pocketbook.