Preface
This is the first bluetooth keyboard I've tried on any computer, so I can't draw any comparisons.


First impressions
Detection went almost without a hitch (the only confusion I had was how to end entry of the pairing code, on the keyboard).

As the keyboard came out of sleep (supposedly after 3 minutes, though I've waited as long as 10), it didn't lose any keystrokes. I tested this using xterm, since it seemed the app with the least going on. However, if I wait 5 minutes for the display to sleep, then I lose the first couple keystrokes.

In what little time I've spent typing on it, I've seen a couple typos and wondered whether the fault lies with me or the keyboard. Lag seems to vary, but generally stays under a second. I don't know whether that's an issue with the keyboard or the tablet. Input assistance was pretty annoying, though (I'm still new to this tablet) it only seemed to activate when I had the thumb keyboard open. Failing that, you can always disable it in the control panel.

Really, the biggest issue I have is that it has only one shift key. Also, I wish the +/= and '/" keys were in their normal places. Finally, the keyboard is almost bit small for typing on my lap.


Preliminary Conclusion
If you can get beyond the somewhat minor layout issues, my preliminary conclusion would be that this is a solid option for those with size constraints who want a non-folding, full keyboard.


Test Configuration
The tablet I'm using is a n810, running OS2008.

What about thumb typing? Can you effectively grab the sides of the keyboard, and just type wtih your thumbs, without hyper-extending them to reach the g and h keys? Or curling them uncomfortably tight to reach the (right most) or (left most) keys?

Well, I'd say it depends on the size of your hands and how you like to hold it. I probably have larger than average hands and find thumb typing to be pretty manageable, while holding the edges of the keyboard with my fingers. If you have small hands, this probably won't work.

To get some idea, you could get a ruler and try doing a 4" reach. If this isn't comfortable, then thumb typing on the keyboard probably won't be, either.

I wouldn't buy this keyboard primarily for thumb typing. It's (barely) big enough for touch typing. Actually, I find touch typing on small keyboards to be an unexpected benefit of the dvorak layout. Because it requires less hand movement, I tend not to have the kinds of issues with losing my placement that seem common complaints of small keyboards.

This is a really great review, Carputerguy. Thanks for posting your impressions here for everyone to read.

I've been using my N800 more and more these days, leaving my laptop at home more and more, but the inability to type more than a few sentences is getting to me. I think a keyboard is in my near future!

How do you get the entry code accepted by the N800 from the Solidteck BT keyboard? I have a ASK-3952 Solidtek mini BT keyboard (I think it's just a rebranding). My tablet can "see" the keyboard, but I cannot get it to pair. Does anyone know the keystroke combinations to get the pairing to complete on Solidtek BT keyboards?