Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

8minute · Sep 9, 2004, 08:37 PM

I'm looking for a bluetooth keyboard for my PB, and I am specifically after one that does not have a num pad ... I like keyboards with small footprints, so all the logitech and MS ones are way too bulky for me.

Does anyone know of any such keyboards?

Thanks!

Cadaver · Sep 11, 2004, 11:49 AM

Logitech makes a bluetooth desktop set called diNovo (keyboard, separate number pad and mouse).

While there are no drivers for MacOS X, the keyboard itself will function as a basic bluetooth keyboard (or so I've heard). The separate multi-function keypad doesn't work I hear, as there are no drivers. The mouse will work with a third-party driver like USB Overdrive.

Its expensive ($250) so it may not be what you're looking for, but its the only bluetooth keyboard without a number pad I've ever seen.

yoesh · Sep 12, 2004, 08:09 AM

HP makes a bluetooth folding keyboard for the iPaq. While this is probably inferior to the PB keyboard, it is in the same genre that you're looking for (KB sans numeric keypad), and is small.

I might take a peek at it, and keep an eye out for future portable solutions.

I've seen only pics of the HP keyboard -- it seems to be a more full featured KB than the original Palm folding keyboards, and described as the size of 2 pop tarts (the international metric for measuring keyboards, evidently).

If we could only re-wire one of the old Newton KBs....

Diggory Laycock · Sep 12, 2004, 10:01 AM

Small Enough?

8minute · Sep 12, 2004, 09:17 PM

Oooooer!!! That Stowaway kb is exactly what I am looking for ... I like the grey keys.

As for the logitech one, it's probably a bit too pricey (esp. when I would be junking the numpad, and have already got a bluetooth mouse).

I can't find the bluetooth HP one on the website ... and that's the first time I have heard of the pop tart measure! I wonder if pop tart dimensions are standard across the world .. I don't even know if they sell them here in Australia ...

Thanks for the help ppl

8minute · Sep 12, 2004, 09:25 PM

How weird ... google returns results for the HP bluetooth kb, but the search on the HP site returns zip ...

alisonc · Sep 21, 2004, 08:31 AM

I'm bumping this topic because I, too, am looking for a good-quality (preferably wireless) keyboard WITHOUT number pad. It's incredibly impractical to have the number pad on the right side of the keyboard, right where I want to put my mouse. I end up sliding my keyboard off to the left, and then contorting my body when I want to type.
I checked out the Stowaway but it's too small for me, as I do a great deal of typing. The Logitech is seriously expensive and only available in a bundle. So what does that leave me with? Anyone? This seems like such a simple request!
P.S. I would also be interested in a keyboard wih the number pad to the left!

Skip Breakfast · Sep 21, 2004, 11:40 AM

How about these?

alisonc · Sep 21, 2004, 01:59 PM

Hey, those aren't bad! But they all mention PC compatibility only... how can I tell if any will work with Mac?

8minute · Sep 23, 2004, 06:44 PM

Yeah ... I'm thinking about getting one of those Zippy mini usb kb now. I assume they should be mac compatible even if they say PC only .. I mean I've plugged in pc mice no probs. Can't see why the kb wouldn't work as well.

alisonc · Sep 24, 2004, 06:08 AM

Actually, the Zippy mini says PS/2 so you can't use it with Mac. While these kyboard look decent, and the price is right, I'm just not sure about them. I do a lot of typing and it's important for me that my keyboard be very high quality. I just don't want a number pad!!! Why don't the big names make padless versions of their keyboards?? Or why doesn't someone do a revolutionary thing and put the number pad on the left side??

Diggory Laycock · Sep 24, 2004, 07:14 AM

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/pr...CONTENTID=7321

Cadaver · Sep 25, 2004, 08:31 AM

Originally posted by alisonc:
I'm bumping this topic because I, too, am looking for a good-quality (preferably wireless) keyboard WITHOUT number pad. It's incredibly impractical to have the number pad on the right side of the keyboard, right where I want to put my mouse. I end up sliding my keyboard off to the left, and then contorting my body when I want to type.
I checked out the Stowaway but it's too small for me, as I do a great deal of typing. The Logitech is seriously expensive and only available in a bundle. So what does that leave me with? Anyone? This seems like such a simple request!
P.S. I would also be interested in a keyboard wih the number pad to the left!

While not wireless, the original Apple USB keyboards (the little ones that came with the first iMacs, G3s and G4s) are not bad. Same key feel as the black Apple Pro keyboards, but small and compact. They have a # pad, but are compact none the less.

They are missing a few keys, notably the forward delete key and volume up/down/mute. F12 will work as eject, BTW.

But perhaps worth a thought.

8minute · Sep 26, 2004, 11:24 PM

In searching for mini kb options, I've stumbled across one of these flexible kb's http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index....de=KE-SOFTROLL

Has anyone used one of these flexible kb's? If so, how's the feel of the keys?

alisonc · Sep 27, 2004, 08:34 AM

I've looked at the Logitech DiNovo but it's not really compact (large borders, arrow keys set apart from letter keys) and it's only sold in a package and it's expensive. I've also looked at the cool rubber flexible keyboards but I've read that they're not for everyday typing (probably very un-ergonomic). As for the original iMac keyboards, they are more compact, but still too big for me!

There are a couple of "left-handed" keyboards available (i.e. numberpad on the left) but they are always clunky, ugly and beige. I just can't imagine putting one of those on the desk in front of my 17" Aluminum PB.

BTW, why people think it's a good idea to have the number pad on the right when most people use the mouse with their right hands is beyond me... my number pad is *exactly* where I want to put my mouse!

mainemanx · Oct 3, 2004, 03:30 PM

It seems so obvious doesn't it! A compact keyboard... takes up less space... PLUS you don't have to reach half way 'round the globe to operate the mouse!

Maybe I'll buy a 12" aluminum PowerBook... rip off the lcd panel.... and

8minute · Oct 5, 2004, 07:07 PM

Originally posted by mainemanx:
Maybe I'll buy a 12" aluminum PowerBook... rip off the lcd panel.... and

If you're gonna do that ... I bags the LCD!!

Squidgy · Oct 14, 2004, 10:33 AM

I have been using this wireless Gyration product with a 15" iMac G4. It uses RF, not Bluetooth. The unit comes only with PC drivers, but the keyboard maps well to the mac, even adjusting volume, brightness and opening/closing the optical drive tray, although I had to discover all this via experimentation. The mouse works great, and you can mouse in mid-air which is cool if you use it in a HT application. The keyboard is very compact. The only issues are that you cannot send simultaneous keyboard and mouse commands (e.g., control or shift-clicking) and it won't wake the computer from sleep. Also, the PC drivers apparently add some functionality. So this may limit it's appeal to Mac users.

Since I just got a iMac G5 with Bluetooth, I no longer have a need for this, so interested parties can email or PM me.

ginop1 · Dec 19, 2004, 09:39 AM

If you want a keyboard that is really compact, how about looking at the iFrog. It comes in a right or left hand design. Also comes with Bluetooth.