Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

After being burned by Handspring a few months ago, I made a rule never to order merchandise online until the retailer has been distrubing it for at least six months. The fact that the Stowaway will be available in stores before it's available at Targus validates this rule for me, makes me glad I didn't order it online, and makes me want to recommend this rule to others.

See you at Staples . . .

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 391

I got my GoType back from Limbo. The new keyboard works MUCH better than the original one... I'm glad I checked and didn't just assume that the GoType was a flakey design. Plus, I got TakeNote and WordSleuth in the bargain...

Meanwhile there's a lot of discussion on the pilot group about the Stowaway having mechanical reliability problems.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA
Posts: 18

I contacted my local CompUSA and found that they expect to have the Stowaway in stock this week sometime. They allow you to reserve without putting money down, which I did. Now, if I get the call from CompUSA before the shipping confirmation, I'll cancel my order with Targus. Should work fine assuming no more major delays.

And that could NEVER happen.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

There are several discount vendors listing the Stowaway on Shopper.com, although none of them actually claim to have it in stock. Nevertheless, it's getting close. Here's the link:
http://shopper.cnet.com/shopping/re...sr.pl.pr1665431

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 55

I checked Best Buy and CompUSA this weekend. The Best Buy employee I spoke with said he had seen it on the Internet but he had no idea if they would carry it. He said they didnt normally carry Targus products (he was very knowledgable on Handspring though). The CompUSA rep checked the computer, but he had never heard about it either. The race is on to see who will get them first.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 55

Double Post

[This message has been edited by Kemp (edited 04-18-2000).]

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 42

The CompUSA I work for is showing them as being on order. I think they are slated to arrive sometime this week. I've already got one on order for myself. =)

--HP

------------------
That which does not kill me had BETTER do enough damage to keep me from firing back!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 406

Keep us posted! I am waiting for the Think Outside Foldable to be available retail.. preferrably at CompUSA.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: brooklyn
Posts: 268

i already ordered mine via the web, and am waiting patiently ... but did anyone else get this today?:


Thank you for your interest in our keyboards. We are thrilled to announce
the arrival of the Targus Stowaway Keyboard for Handspring Visors! The
keyboard can be purchased online at http://www.targus.com, as well as at
major retailers such as CompUSA and Staples.

In addition to the Targus Stowaway for Handspring Products, we recently
announced availability of the Palm Portable Keyboard for Palm III, V, and
VII products, available from Palm Computing.

Again, thank you for your interest. Happy Typing!


The Think Outside Team http://www.thinkoutside.com

For more information:
Targus Group International http://www.targus.com
Palm Computing http://www.palm.com
Think Outside http://www.thinkoutside.com


(tik tok tik tok)

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Palmgear sent me notification that my keyboard shipped today in overnight mail. Hopefully, I'll be able to gloat tomorrow when I get home!!!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13

Can you use any document editor w/the Stowaway? I see where the GoType is shipping with TakeNote, but I can't tell if that is designed specifically for use with the GoType or not. I do have a Stowaway on order w/Targus, and want to get a doc editor so I'm ready to go when it gets here. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Chilla

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Cambridge, MA, USA
Posts: 18

I use QED and am quite happy with it.

quote:

---

Originally posted by ChillaChilla:
Can you use any document editor w/the Stowaway? I see where the GoType is shipping with TakeNote, but I can't tell if that is designed specifically for use with the GoType or not. I do have a Stowaway on order w/Targus, and want to get a doc editor so I'm ready to go when it gets here. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
Chilla

---

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Airborne promptly dropped off my keyboard this morning. Unfortunately, I'm at work for a while longer, but I wanted to gloat!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 81

Just talked to the BuyTargus.com rep and he said that mine shipped today and will be here tomorrow. Man, I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight!

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 48

I just called buytargus and they said the shipment date is Mid-May!!! Said that none have been shipped and they are still on backorder. I explained to them that I had been told that the shipment would start next week, and she said that I had been mis-informed. I ordered mine online from Targus. ...'the hell.

[This message has been edited by Jon Brumfield (edited 04-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Jon Brumfield (edited 04-20-2000).]

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

I just called Buy Targus and they said should ship by first week of May. That is what they told me two days ago too.

According to CompUSA (Dallas area) they expect shipments at end of this week.

However, Buy Targus cust rep. said retailers wont get there's until first week of May either. So?? Who knows?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Okay,

First, Palm Gear got mine to me yesterday. I'm impressed with the amount of communications I received from PG. When there was a delay in shipping, due to a 'glitch' with Targus, I received a nice email informing me of not only the delay, but the expected shipping day. Heck, they even shipped a day early. GOOD JOB!!!

Now, for the Stowaway itself. It's nice. I think I'll use it a lot during meetings. The only problem I have with it is, well, it's a little TOO flat to work with, but I'm sure I can find something to prop it on.

It did not come with a case, by the way, and there is no way to lock it open, that I can see. Opening and closing it is a snap, but lap usage, if you happen to have a lap, which I don't, is out of the question. From the review here, I almost think this is one of the earlier designed units, but it has the Targus logo on it.

Of course, it has MASSIVE wow-factor and makes me uber-cool with the other techies. Just the engineering that went into it makes it neat. The fact that it works so well is even better.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location:
Posts: 10

I just spoke with PalmGear and they tell me that they only got about 10 "demo" models that they went ahead and shipped out to customers because they did not know that they wouldn't get the rest of their alotment until mid to end of May! So, you are one of the lucky ones!! Most of the rest of us will have to wait.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13

I just spoke with a very helpful rep at Targus that knows my name when I call (I've called a lot). She contacted someone who was suppose to know the status and I was just told that shipping is not expected UNTIL THE END OF MAY. I told her the Web site even says April. She said to assume end of May.

I'll probably go ahead and order the GoType (want the indcluded software anyway) - hopefully I can disable the drivers on the fly once I get the Stowaway and maybe the two can peacefully coexist. I'll find a use for both.

The Stowaway is deja vu of the Visor.

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 48

Ok... ha ha, I'm still laughing over this one. Who the hell knows.

AFter getting pretty upset at being told that the shipment date was now Mid-May (from Targus online) and that I had been misinformed by Targus (that they were going to ship Apr 24-28th), I started looking around at other sites and considered cancelling my order. Didn't make much sense to wait for a "projected" product in Mid May when Visorcentral could ship theirs out much sooner. I decide to give Targus one more call and ask them how it was possible that other retailers could have the product before their own online store.

The sales rep got on the phone, I gave her my order number and asked her for an estimated ship date. "Hold please", ....
"yes sir, from looking at our Wharehouse records, we expect to ship, ... about May 1st." !!! huh? I explained to her that I had called earlier this morning and was told Mid-may, and that others had already started receiving theirs from other retailers (half-truth).. she had no answer. Put me on hold to confer with her supervisor. After being on hold for about 5 minutes she got back on the phone and this is her story. Honest.

paraphrased here..."yes sir, My superviser herself called the wharehouse to clear all of this up. Apparently the keyboards are being shipped out TODAY." After I exploded in a fit of laughter from it all she proceeded to explain that they had not had an update from the wharehouse and that they in turn where mis-informing all of their customers who were calling... apparently there had been a lot.

Now, whether to believe this or not... I really want too.. anyone else get the same story??