Nice idea but lousy keyboard
Written: Mar 26 '08
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Solid build, awesome size, 91 keys embedded into 80 keys
Cons: Numlock takes getting used to, certain keys acted like weird hotkeys
The Bottom Line: I can not recommend this keyboard based on my experiences.
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| dj_white_rice's Full Review: BTC 5100C Mini Magic Keyboard |
I recently purchased the BTC 5100c Mini "magic" keyboard to use with my new HP 5300s computer.
Initially, the reason I choose this keyboard over the other available mini-keyboards was because it seemed well built. This keyboard was to be part of a video production cart that uses a computer. Its size is excellent, only 11 inches wide and takes up no desk space at all - awesome!
One of the key selling features of this keyboard compared to other mini-keyboards is that it has all 91 keyboard keys embedded into 80 keys. If you are anything like me - someone who hates reading the manual - you will want to read the one for this keyboard or you might get confused with the embedded features.
Problems & Issues Encountered
1.) The numlock key when pressed - switches the keyboard into the embedded function that makes the letters (u, i, o, j, k, l, m) turn into the numbers of the extended numerical keypad that you find on most large keyboards.
2.) Pressing the number '1' in the top row of numbers causes the System Information window to open in Vista.
3.) Pressing the letter 'X' opens the View Menu at the top of the browser or while in a program.
4.) Pressing the letter 'S' opens the SAVE-AS window.
5.) Now this one is the strangest thing: Pressing the letter 'Q' causes the word QYTREW to be written.
According to the manufacture website, there are no driver updates for this keyboard. This is not an old keyboard - this is a keyboard that is currently on the market. Also there was no indication on the website, user manual or on the box if this keyboard is widows Vista friendly. It is possible that these problems are simply an issue due to Vista since several keys are acting more like hotkeys than anything else.
Conclusion:
Either I have a new BAD version of the keyboard, it's not Vista Friendly or some other unknown issues exist.
I really like the solid nature and size of this keyboard in comparison to the other mini keyboards on the market.
I like the idea of being able to use the numlock key to switch the main keyboard into a numerical keypad; that would be very help for taxes and doing math or data entry.
Disappointing
I was not surprised, but disappointed either way that the BTC website didn't have a driver upgrade available or any information about it being Vista friendly. The website did have drivers for a lot of their older keyboards and indicated if it was XP and Vista friendly. The BTC 5100C is supposed to be compatible with the current drivers which should make it Vista ready.
Recommendation
It is difficult to recommend this keyboard even though I like the way it is made and its solid heavy plastic build with raised keys.
I am working against a deadline and gas is way to expensive right now for me to run back and forth to Frys which is a 56 mile round trip - otherwise I would get a exchange and try it again - most likely though I will just swap it for a different model and brand.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 16.99
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