Plugable Full-Size Bluetooth Folding Keyboard for Android, iOS, Windows, OS X with Protective Case/Tablet Stand

Turns my galaxy note 9 into a mini computer! The keyboard is responsive and accurate and quality is excellent! Great for blogging on the go or working on word documenta etc.

Terrible service

For years I've tried many folding or compact Bluetooth keyboards for use with an array of smartphones, computers and tablets. It's really amazing how many of these absolutely fail to work well, or totally miss the mark when it comes to finding the right balance of keyboard size when folded and unfolded, or sport keyboards where the keys just don't work properly for many reasons whether it be spacing, strange placements for necessary keys like the arrow keys, or the fact that they don't stay put on a tabletop or just fail over time.The problem is that in order to achieve a compact form factor, you have to compromise, but the trick is making the correct compromises that result in a highly useable solution - and this Plugable folding keyboard comes as close to making the perfect set of choices as I've seen.Pros:• Build quality is off the charts - well made, durable, metal body with strong hinges and magnetic clasps - far better than the price• The case, which folds into a tablet / phone stand has a grippy leather feel and magnetic clasps to hold it in place• The keys have a great tactile feel - they travel as you would expect on a laptop keyboard - and seem to use the same scissor mechanisms• Keyboard layout was thoughtfully done - esc, arrow and modifier keys are where you'd expect them to be, full row of function keys included• Can switch modes between IOS, Windows and Android, so modifier keys work as you'd expect!• Battery lasts for many days - haven't been able to run it down in over ten straight days of solid use• Folds down into 5.5 x 3.5 x .5 inch package - unfolds into a keyboard that is 10 inches wide• Keyboard has magnets to help it "snap" into its caseCons:• Can be used in a lap, but tends to bend at the hinges - a small mod could have made it lock in place• If used on a metal surface, like a filing cabinet, the magnets on the bottom can cause the keyboard to tip over and "stick" while typing• Is a bit larger than my ideal package size, can be carried in a jacket pocket, but not a pants pocket (unless you're wearing cargo pants)• Sits up a bit off the table - so you have to hold your hands up to type, sometimes hinges can get in the wayPictures show the keyboard, with my Acer Iconica 8 inch Windows Tablet, with iPhone 5 on top of folded keyboard for size comparison, and with keyboard unflolded. Tablet is using the integrated stand / cover that comes with the keyboard.

The SearchA few months ago I started a long search for an ideal portable keyboard that would work with tablets and other mobile devices. I needed something that would provide a good typing experience, would be solid in construction, and would be portable.All of my experience with portable keyboards came during this search in various stores and online, as previously I have only used desktop and laptop keyboards. My ideal imaginary keyboard would be like the Logitech Solar keyboards, but in a smaller form-factor (without the 10-key), with a way to protect the keys, and Bluetooth for maximum connectivity support (ie no need for a USB dongle taking up a spare port). And since I’m a touch-typist, the keys needed to be big enough and spaced enough that I wouldn’t have to hunt and peck.The ChallengersThere were several potential winners I narrowed my search down to, including the Microsoft Universal Mobile Keyboard, Logitech Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810, and the myriad clones of the folding keyboard produced by such companies as Jorno, Plugable, EC Technology, iClever, 1byone, TOZO, Oldshark, etc (seriously, there are dozens of clones).The Microsoft one apparently was having a problem with the charger, so Amazon stopped selling them until it got fixed. And the Logitech one was hard to come by. But the clones of the foldable keyboard were plentiful.Unfortunately, the folding keyboard clones all had the same problems with their design as mentioned by reviewers:* The number keys were off-set from a standard keyboard, making touch-typing the numbers difficult.* The right Shift key was separated by the Up arrow key, making using it tricky.* The wings floated off the table, such that if you typed a key on one of the wings, the whole keyboard would rock up.* You can’t type with it on your lap because the wings will fold up on you.While hemming and hawing about pulling the trigger and buying one anyway (what could it hurt? They’re pretty inexpensive), I discovered an option in the listing for the one by Plugable that I hadn’t noticed before: a “Full-Size” version! It turns out that Plugable took the original cloned design and up-scaled it to be an uncompromising full-size keyboard (and who knows, other clone makers may clone this version too). So I decided to take the plunge!The ReviewFirst of all, I am very impressed with the quality of this keyboard. All of the physical components are solid, the folding mechanism works perfectly with the magnets providing just the right resistance to keep it closed without feeling I need to pry it apart to open, and even the cover is well built and functional (something I didn’t initially care about, but turned out to be more useful than I expected).When I said this keyboard is uncompromising, I wasn’t kidding. All the keys are exactly where they are supposed to be at 100% scale. In fact, the physical layout of the keys is identical to a Macbook Pro (even if they’re not labeled the same). It feels so much like typing on a laptop keyboard that I keep instinctively reaching for a mouse or track pad. The only difference is that typing on it is slightly louder just because it doesn’t have the mass of a laptop to absorb the impact of keystrokes, allowing the taps to echo down to the typing surface. While it doesn’t offer the *click-clack* of mechanical switches, it’s also no good for a spy to use to send secret messages back to base.Folded up, it’s roughly the size of 2 phones side-by-side. While I can technically fit it into my front pants pocket, it’s awkwardly large. It’s much more suitable to store in a coat pocket, or wherever you stash your tablet.Borrowing some devices from work, I was able to successfully pair it with an iPad mini, iPhone 6 Plus, Microsoft Surface Pro 4, Macbook Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab 4, and my personal Galaxy Tab S2 9.7” and Galaxy Note 3. The pairing was quick and easy and all the unique dedicated keys worked across devices (like “Home”, “Select All”, “Cut”, “Copy”, “Paste”, etc). The range is also impressive, as when I started taking photos of the keyboard for this review across the room (over 15’ away) from the tablet it was paired with, I accidentally hit a key that launched something on the tablet.And I don’t think it was intentional, but there is a slight outward bowing of the wings when extended that gives the keyboard an almost ergonomic curve.For the tablet I went with (Galaxy Tab S2 9.7”) I got a cover that could be folded over to use as a 3-position stand. However, it only acts as a stand in landscape orientation; convenient for watching videos, but not as nice for writing. The included keyboard cover doesn’t care about orientation (or device), which means I can type in any orientation I want. It also has a little pull-out lip so you can lower the angle of the device you’re using. The cover is a nice addition that I didn’t really need, but is handy to have.I’m still in the first couple weeks of owning this keyboard and haven’t had much of a chance to really use it, so I can’t comment on its longevity, or its travel convenience. But my first impressions are very favorable. This review is probably the most I’ve written with it so far.With regards to the common complaints about the smaller version of this keyboard:* The number keys are exactly where they should be.* The right shift is exactly where it should be, with the possible detriment being that the arrow keys have been shrunk to make room, but that’s fairly common among all keyboards.* The keyboard is massive enough, and there’s enough flex in the wings, that the slight downward drop the wings experience when you type on an edge key doesn’t tip the whole keyboard.* The slightly larger size allows the keyboard to fit on your lap in a pinch, as long as you keep your knees together such that they support the hinges of the keyboard.Oh, and the box even has a “Thank You” in Klingon. :)Things to ImproveThe easiest thing Plugable could do to improve this keyboard is to print the alternate key designations for the various formats (Android vs iOS vs OSX). Right now only the Windows designations are printed and you have to guess the alternates for the other OSes. This should only affect a few keys that are different across platforms. This can help with the confusion as some of the keys don’t match the positioning you would expect, like on OSX.The next simple thing would be to allow the joints to relax just a tad bit more so that the wings of the keyboard actually do lay all the way down against the typing surface. Alternatively, add tiny foot pads to the edges so that they come into contact with the typing surface in order to eliminate the flex of the wings when typing.

My beloved old Think Outside/iGo Stowaway Bluetooth keyboard needed to be replaced so I've been looking for something that is roughly the same physical size, with a dedicated number row. I debated between this Plugable Ultra Compact, the EC Technology Bluetooth Keyboard and the iClever BK03.This keyboard is roughly the same width and layout as my iPad's Apple Smart Keyboard. Unfortunately the right-shift key on this keyboard is in the wrong spot, on the far side of the up-arrow. I wish Plugable (and all the clones) would make their arrow keys mimic the smart keyboard, where up/down occupy one standard key size and the right shift is full size.The keyboard arrived with a drained battery so I had to charge it up first. After that, pairing and operation was straightforward. OS-specific feature and media keys work well. Cut/copy/paste with winkey-C/winkey-V work fine on my iPhone. The keys feel nice and have good travel and action with no wobble. As other reviewers have noted a hard press to either far side of the keyboard will make it tip but I don't think this will happen with my usage. The 'E' requires you to press exactly in the middle of the key, I guess I usually hit an edge because I'm missing a lot of 'E's. Added a typing test screenshot of my first attempt. Mostly got tripped up with skipped E’s and any words that required th right shift.The case is much nicer than I expected. It has a faint PVC smell and it's molded around the raised portions of the folded keyboard. The 'stand' portion works well and I was able to articulate it to get my phone at the right angle. It utilizes magnets to stay closed and I think it will work just fine. The keyboard with case (10.9oz) fits in any pocket of my jeans but is a bit bulky. Without case (6.5oz) it fits in my pocket easily. I might ditch the case and find some lightweight stand to use.Pros:1. Pocketable size2. Full 5-row layout with number row3. Rechargeable4. Solid build5. OS-agnostic6. This keyboard has the redesigned larger backspace keyCons:1. Hinge axles interfere with left-alt and right-winkey, I've bumped into them a few times already. Particularly left-alt.2. Left and right sides need the 'flip down' stabilizers available on the full-size keyboard and BK053. Heavy with case (10.9oz w/ case, 6.5oz w/out case)4. 'E' key needs a precise centered strokeWishlist:1. Full programmability - macros, reassign keys, meta layers. This keyboard would be killer with an FN-layer, the ability to reassign capslock to FN, and arrow keys to FN+IJKL2. Integrated phone stand3. Redesign the hinge-arm to lower the pivot point, getting it out of the way of left-alt and right-winkey4. Redesign the arrow cluster so the current down arrow becomes two half-height keys for up and down. Then remove the current up-arrow and make the right shift key the proper full length and position.5. Psion 5 MX keyboard style, spacing, width, action etcEdit: It's 5 days later and I'm returning this keyboard. Between the skipped 'E's and the incorrectly placed shift I'm spending too much time correcting mistakes. Beautiful and solid mechanical design, but that doesn't mean anything if I can't type on it.