I looked but I couldn't find the answer to this

[earth5]

I looked but I couldn't find the answer to this question. If it's already been discussed, just send me on my way :D

Do the keys on the HTKB feel:
1) squishy
2) clicky
3) firm
4) other

To make this a wee bit more objective than subjective, the usb keyboard that came with my 1400 felt a "squishy" to me. I was wondering if the keys were a tad bit firmer on the HTKB, but not clicky (I hate when keyboards just don't feel "right").

Also, it's a bit hard to see in pictures (at least all the one's I've found so far), but I'm guessing the key layout is the same as that on the usb? Minus the touch pad, of course.

Thanks so much!

[TopCat]

The HTKB keys are definitely firmer than the USB KB but not up to IBM laptop standards-- none the less, much better than the USB IMHO. I wouldn't call them clicky but I'm not sure exactly what you mean by that. I haven't used the USB KB in so long I can't even remember the layout. My main gripe about the HTKB layout is the backspace key is small and poorly placed (just don't make mistakes!-) and the pointstick has a way of getting hit in mid typing so that you end up moving the cursor in mid word. I never had this problem with IBM pointsticks. Overall I think the HTKB is acceptable for use on travel and in your lap and much better than the USB KB but I'd recommend a real keyboard for extensive input if you are deskbound.

[davebrennan]

I second TopCat's comments. The backspace key is awkward and I keep accidentally hitting End instead of backspace. The HTKB keys seem to have less "travel" than the USB keys, and the layout overall is about 1/2" more narrow. I also had to send mine back b/c the "W" key didn't work right, you had to pound on it to get it to register. It came back fixed within a week and all is well. As for the pointing stick, I wish Motion had a utility like one I've seen for Synaptics touchpads where you can decrease the sensitivity to prevent incidental contact from moving the cursor.

[JCP777]

A comparison of the HTKB to a Kensington $16.00 full size keyboard is as follows:
Kensington: Key length of travel: approximately 4mm
HTKB: approximately 2mm

A 150 mm Starrett scale placed endwise on a depressed key will spring back on the Kensington.
The same done on the HTKB: The key remains depressed.

Basically, the HTKB will have a lighter touch and shorter travel than a desktop keyboard.

If you type with a heavy touch, you may get some letter doubling from the HTKB until you get used to it. Although I do not use the HTKB very much, when I do, it does a great job.

Hope this info helps.

JP

[peachy]

I definitely wrote a bunch about my experiences with the HTKB somewhere. I think it might have been in one of the "general discussion" forums, where somebody was deciding what tablet to purchase. I have used the HTKB extensively, including a four-month stretch of full-time programming, and while it's definitely usable, it's not great.

Um, I also don't know what you mean by squishy/clicky/firm :). Maybe clicky, if I had to pick one! ;) You can definitely feel the fact that there is very little travel, and the keys make an audible "clicky" sound when they are pressed. I find that I need to press fairly hard to make them register, and often find that I "miss" the space, comma, and shift keys. (Often, compared to using other keyboards, including other laptop keyboards)

The key layout is not at all like the USB keyboard. When I was using the HTKB at work, and the USB keyboard at home, I found it a bit of a pain to be switching back and forth. I have a whole slew of pet peeves about it, and really find it to be one of the most inconvenient layouts I've used. It's usable, but really not well thought out. The space bar is too small, the backspace is miniscule, the Fn is across the keyboard from the arrow keys so you can't scroll webpages with one hand. Home/End are placed in the far upper right corner where they are basically unreachable when typing.

And seriously, it's not like they didn't have room to make some of the commonly used keys bigger - who needs a full-sized Fn, and two windows and a menu button in valuable kbd positions?

Oh, and the touchstick on mine keeps drifting the mouse. It's super annoying! Also, if you want to plug in an ethernet cord while using it, it won't fit properly in the arms.

I use it all the time and don't regret my purchase because I can't think of another solution that is easier. And I love my Motion in general. But I really am dismayed by the poor design of the keyboard - it feels to me like somehow the thing completely skipped usability testing or something!

Motion, if there's anybody out there reading this, let's have a redesign of the HTKB that has
- keys that consistently work when you press them
- a touchstick that doesn't start drifting occasionally
- a reasonable keyboard layout
- a stand that doesn't obstruct the ports

Please!

If there was a new version of it released that even a few of these issues, I would definitely shell out the $$ for it. And keyboard quality does make a difference to people buying tablets in general! The whole thing about a tablet is about interface, right? So I just don't get why the standard of the HTKB isn't up to the (very high) standard of the Motion tablet in general.

[earth5]

sigh. I'm really picky about keyboards too. If the ctrl isn't next to shift I get very disgruntled. Side question though. Without a Keyboard, is there any way to do the equivalent of Alt + Tab? I've tried several function key things but can't seem to get it to work. thanks!