Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 38

Has anyone seen any good comparative reviews of these two upcoming keyboards? How about a review of the GoType for the Visor? I've seen reviews of the Stowaway but I'm wondering which one will be the better one to get.
The portability of Stowaway is nice but is the GoType a more durable option that will last longer?

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 16

I think I am going to purchase the go-type keyboard. I believe I have heard that the stowaway can fold up on you. to me, the go-type seems to have less moving parts and thus more durable. I need something I can use in my lap if I need to and not worry about it folding or such. I will use mine for taking notes in class. Go-type said they will have a patch or software or something that allows you to type longer notes than the current limit on the memo program. Anyhow, if anyone has better reasons than just size for the stoaway I would like to hear them before I buy. Hope go-type gets their product out soon.
jeremy

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Visit at www.southern.edu/~jearnall

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 105

The Stowaway has normal spacing between keys, the GoType has spacing equal to that of a normal laptop's keyboard. Some may find it easier to type on the Stowaway, one review I read said that the Stowaway was much better...

The GoType is superior in 2 ways: It doesn't fold up on your lap, and it can replace your HotSync cradle. The Stowaway has the advantage to folding up to be about the size of a Visor, and besides the full size its the only advantage.

Personally I see the Stowaway being better, I already have a cradle and connecting it to my computer everytime I want to HotSync would be a hassle. If I want to type on my lap with Stoaway I'm sure one could get a piece of cardboard and place it beneath, if you have a backpack that would be perfect and in my opinion easier to carry around.

Also, as I understand, the GoType will cost less than the Stowaway. Even though I wouldn't buy it, I bet they could do a special promotion with the Visor Solo.

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-Matthew Nichols
[email protected]
http://www.extremebleem.cjb.net

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 25

I had the gotype for the Palm, and the keys were MUCH tighter and smaller than my laptop, (which was a small laptop anyway). I found myself over-stepping keys on occasion, and had to place my wrists in an uncomfortable position to type.

I sold my gotype with my Palm III, have had my visor for a couple months now, and I'm going CRAZY waiting on the stowaway! COME ON guys, sell it, willya? For someone who is used to typing notes in class, trying to hack it out by hand is really tough.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Chandler, AZ
Posts: 289

I hear ya ChirorOb..

I got my Visor to mainly type notes in class.. I agree with the tightness of the GoType keyboard .. keys are way too small IMHO. (Was originally going to get a Palm IIIx and the GoType)

It sounds like the Stowaway will be released to retail stores when the Visor goes retail (by the end of the month?)

After the Stowaway, I'll get the SixPack and I'll have an awesome wireless communications machine..

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: New Mexico, USA
Posts: 112

Cerulean writes:

After the Stowaway, I'll get the SixPack and I'll have an awesome wireless communications machine..

End quote.

Well, that's "get the SixPack and a compatible cell phone and I'll have..."

Or maybe you already have the phone and didn't mention it.

Just want to make sure we don't fall into the "cellular modem vs. integrated wireless" confusion again.

Cellular modem plus compatible cellphone equals communication.

j.




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"Vaya con Visor!"

-john

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

BTW there was a thread a few days ago, James is trying to get a Stowaway to eval. He said he saw a beta and when open only the middle would fold, and *not* down, just up. So it sounds like it'll be okay on laps (kind of silly if they didn't make it work for laps considering the use with PDAs! ).

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 26

I'm planning a 3-week around-the-country road trip for the summer (lifelong dream, etc.), and I don't own a laptop, but I want to be able to post updates about the trip on my web site. I'm planning to buy the Stowaway keyboard and the InnoGear Six Pak, write the page in Memopad (or another doc editor), connect with a landline modem to an Earthlink POP, and update the text on the site with a terminal program. I was driving home on Saturday wondering how I could afford a laptop, and it hit me that for about $300, I could get the accessories for my Visor and not worry about it. I'm champing at the bit...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 18

The Stowaway would be amazing IF if came with splints that could make it NOT fold up so you could use it while driving in the car, one of the only places I would really use it. At any rate, James H. will be reviewing the keyboard and shold have his article up shortly, so check it out.
Mike

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mililani, HI, USA
Posts: 256

quote:

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Originally posted by mikelee:
...make it NOT fold up so you could use it while driving in the car, one of the only places I would really use it.
Mike

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 29

Sorry guys, but the reviews of the Stowaway on the gadgeteer web site states that it cannot be used on the lap at all as it will fold up. It unfortunately does not lock into a stiff position when opened up and each half of the keyboard will fold down over your lap. The reviewer mentioned that it would be nice if they included sometype of locking mechanism or inserts to stiffen up the keyboard for this purpose. I guess the best you could do is keep a stiff folder around with you and try to use that underneath the keyboard when using it on your lap. This is the only real negative point I can see of this product. I would mainly use it on my lap, and its design makes that difficult. I'll probably hold out for the gotype since it won't have this problem (but admittedly is not as cool in design).

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Texan in Calgary for a while
Posts: 1361

There are some differences between the Stowaway for the Palm and the Stowaway for the Visor.

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James Hromadka
VisorCentral.com
Personal Website: http://www.Hromadka.com