Netbook keyboards

G

G_K

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Mar 31, 2006
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Hi folks,

I am pondering a netbook mostly to use for writing so which has the best keyboard in this category or am I better of getting say an off-lease Thinkpad?

Ideally I do want a machine I can pick up under $350 or so. I have read some good things on the Asus 1005HA but I haven't managed to see one in person yet to try it.
Any of the recommendations I get I do hope you can recommend a common retail point that typically carries it so I can at last get my hands on a sample to check it.

Thanks.
 
I can't recommend the eeePC if you're asking for keyboard layout. I use the right shift a lot and that's mainly the reason i chose the Aspire One over the eeePC. They showed both to me and i just found typing easier on the AAO.

To elaborate, my hand (or pinky) is used to a normal keyboards layout so the shift has to be about the same size as the enter key and right below it, hand instinctively lines up with the right edge of the keyboard where the Backspace, \, enter and shift are. I've had a previous netbook with the same layout as the eeePC and after several months i still keep hitting the up key instead of the shift. I actually have to look down to find the shift.

It's not just a matter of getting used to it, i also use a full size keyboard and its layout is too different from the eeePC but near identical to an AAO so i didn't have to do any re-learning when touch typing.
 
If we're just talking netbook keyboards then the HP 2133 & HP 2140 have arguably the best keyboards out there, and are advertised as being 92% full-size. Speaking from personal experience they are very easy & comfortable to use, and are better than some full-size laptop keyboards i've used.
 
victorcharly said:
If we're just talking netbook keyboards then the HP 2133 & HP 2140 have arguably the best keyboards out there, and are advertised as being 92% full-size. Speaking from personal experience they are very easy & comfortable to use, and are better than some full-size laptop keyboards i've used.
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+1

The HP netbooks hands down have the best keyboards IMO, I would also say that it is better than most laptop keyboards (excluding the macbook and macbook pro I don't know if I have ever used a keyboard that feels that nice before).

But really it is all about how you feel, go to your local bestbuy and ask to see a few models, and then go from there because in all reality everyone is different so you may love the 1005ha keyboard while others hate it.
 
I've typed (not extensively mind you) on the NC10, the 8.9" and 10.1" Aspire One (same layout and nearly the same size IIRC, same layout as the NC10 too), various HP models, and various ASUS EEE PC models... The latter ASUS models (HA/HE) are a huge improvement over the earlier ones, layout's been improved... I still prefer the others I mentioned though. HP's Mini line has the biggest keys, but somehow I found it easier to lose my way on it though, probably because the space/indentation between the keys is smaller (and they're essentially flat, not beveled around the edges like other netbooks).

Mostly I opted for the AAO (the NC10 was a lil' too pricey) because A) I really liked the layout with the properly placed Shift keys and B) I really really liked the dedicated Page Up/Down keys by the arrow keys... So I can scroll w/o doing Fn+Up/Down or using the touchpad. I ended up liking the scrolling gesture on the AAO's touchpad a lot too (it's sort of a swirl gesture, the faster/tighter the circle the faster it scrolls, big/slow circles scrolls a few lines at a time), but I still use those Page Up/Down keys a ton.

Just go to the store and try 'em out, this is a very subjective thing.

Oh yeah, another difference I noticed in key sizing was with the first MSI Wind, the punctuation keys on it (, and . and /) were slimmer than all the rest... I ocasionally edit programming homework on my AAO and that would've bothered me, they're the same size as any other key on my AAO (only the tilde key is slightly smaller). I dunno if the newer Wind w/that nice 9-cell battery shares that characteristic. I've seen some really atrocious layouts too like Dell's first Mini w/no F-keys... Wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole.
 
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The HP's hands down.

My AAO's keyboard sucked when I first got it but you quickly adapt.
 
The new Dell Mini 10v actually has a keyboard that IMO is comparable to the HP, I have both and I can honestly say that I prefer the Dell over it.
 
Anyone know if there are any Dell Mini 10s on display in a retail spot? I haven't managed to find one yet to try before I buy it. In generic terms the Dell has made my short list based on the look and features but I really don't like the blind order deal and wasting the money on the return etc.
 
Maybe at a Verizon store? I saw a Verizon ad on TV today that was offering a data plan w/the Dell Mini so surely the larger Verizon stores must have one to showcase for potential customers...
 
i've used both the hp mini 1000 series and the asus 1008ha keyboard, and they both were easy to adapt to.
 
I've used acer one and hp. Acer One and HP Mini
Acer has nice layout and easy to type when you get use to it.
Hp is like typing on desktop keyboard(i think its like 92-94% size of real keyboard)
 
the toshiba nb205 has a great keyboard, other than the ~ key is next to the windows key on the bottom.
 
I managed to try a few different netbooks today and found most had interesting keyboards. The Dell Mini10 was really nice, but so are the HP 1120NR and the Asus 1005 was fine for me. I personally always use the left shift key nearly exclusively and the version I tried had a regular shift on the right so it must only be certain models/revisions.

I have yet to find a Dell Mini9 which has an attraction from the price and battery life. I don't know if I will care for the SSD or not. Right now the Dell Outlet has the 15% coupon of any mini but I am debating on waiting just a bit to see if there are any killer back to school deals that emerge in the next week or two given it's that time of year.

So many choices. I also want to try out an Acer Aspire One to see how I like that, but I am narrowing in on models somewhat. Sometimes I think it's having too many choices that is a problem... But I digress
 
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