I've been having fun of late playing with Bluetooth keyboards for portable devices. The latest one I'm trying out is the Hastech HB045 Wireless portable Bluetooth keyboard. For form and function, it's designed to work best with an iPad mini based on the way it clips onto the device. Having said that, it's like most all Bluetooth keyboards... if it'll connect, it'll work... and this one works very well.
The iPad mini fits into a friction-based clip at the top of the keyboard. That allows the keyboard to flip down over the surface of the mini and act like a defacto case/cover. The grip is very tight, so it's a safe bet that you're going to have to WANT to remove it instead of it falling off by itself. The opening/closing motion is also very stiff, so it takes conscious effort to open the combo up like you would a laptop. If you're using it with a non-iPad mini device, then you can just fold down the clip and hold/place the keyboard wherever it works best for you.
The keyboard styling looks very sleek with the silver coloring. It's plastic, not metal, but that's OK. It keeps the weight and cost down. The keys are chiclet-style, made of plastic with no rubberized feel to them. They have a fair degree of play for tactile response, so it's not like you're just pressing an image of a key on a flat surface (that's a good thing). I'm not usually a big fan of chiclet keys, but Hastech makes this work pretty well.
What stands out is the large range of key functionality included. Between using the function and other various keys, you end up with most all the functionality of a full-size keyboard shrunk down into an iPad mini form factor. I'm not used to seeing that much included on a Bluetooth mobile keyboard, especially given the size.
While the size/functionality ratio is impressive, the size alone carries the same downside as almost any keyboard like this. The keys are offset like a normal keyboard, but it's still smaller than what your muscle memory expects. I have small hands, and it still took a bit of "getting used to" for me. Someone with larger hands might find it completely frustrating. I found myself needing to frequently hit the delete key for typos, but that usually led to another typo that involved the = key. Again, it's due to touch typing, muscle memory, and familiarity. Over time, I'll adjust to the subtle differences, but it'll take some practice.
For $20, this is an attractive price point for what you get. I think the make-or-break for this keyboard will be how quickly someone can adapt their hands and fingers to the layout. I don't think there's too many "better" iPad mini keyboards that also give you some screen protection along with the large degree of keyboard functions. If I could do fractional stars for a review, this would probably be a 4.75, but I'll round up to 5. It's a very nice unit.
By Thomas Duff HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on Amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Hastech%C2%AE-Wireless-portable-Bluetooth-Keyboard/dp/B00H6ZP5OS
没有评论:
发表评论