For me, the Microsoft Foldable Keyboard turned out to be a total failure. I quickly returned it, in favor of a tri-fold keyboard.
I had been looking for a small, compact keyboard for a long time. On-screen keyboards are nice, as long as you just need to send a quick text message or give a short reply to an email. After starting this blog, my needs had changed. You just cannot make good content using only your thumbs.
I know I can buy covers for my Galaxy Tab that include a keyboard, but that would mean lugging this around at all times and still having to put up with my hopelessly tiny keyboard on my phone. Most days I do not bring my tab to work, so this would not be helpful at all. The solution would have to be a separate Bluetooth keyboard.
The Microsoft Foldable Keyboard
Inspired by this blog post by the Gentleman Blogger, I purchased the Microsoft Foldable Keyboard. Usually, I’m rigorously checking reviews before buying most things. This time, however, I did not. Stupid me!
I have bought a lot of keyboards online, and never had any issues. Thinking a keyboard is a keyboard. This is something I would come to regret. Right now I’m sitting on the train, on my way home from work – just the type of situation I thought was going to be perfect for this little keyboard.
Let me start with the positive: This keyboard is really sleek. The footprint in my bag is next to nothing, it’s weight is next to nothing, and it looks visually appealing.
So to the issues: I knew that a foldable keyboard would have some gap in the middle. What I did not foresee was the consequence of the wide keys for T, G, H and N the keyboard feels awkward to use. I’m feeling like I’m totally new in front of a keyboard. I find myself constantly looking for the right key. This, of course, takes some extra time – Giving this keyboard the opposite effect from what I intended when buying it.
Right now, I’m sitting on the train feeling like a computer illiterate. I’m lifting my fingers looking for the next key to hit to get my frustrated thoughts out of my head, and into WordPress.
I wanted an external keyboard to increase my typing speed, the Microsoft Foldable Keyboard makes typing even slower than using the on-screen keyboard.
Don’t get me wrong. Some people may be able to use the Microsoft Keyboard like any other keyboard, but I think most people would have to spend some time learning the layout. I also think that, for most people, the layout will slow down the writing speed.
The final solution – a tri-fold keyboard
After some googling, I found this tri-fold keyboard on Amazon. Not wanting to wait, I found a similar keyboard at a local store.
In my local store, I found the keyboard with the hard case included. This has to be ordered separately from Amazon. For me, buying the keyboard locally had one more advantage: I got the Scandinavian version, with the three extra characters.
Below, you can see the hard case that doubles as a stand for your phone or tablet. I find this stand really practical when using the keyboard with my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. See my mini review.
Now, after having used it for four days, I have to say that I’m very happy with my new tri-fold keyboard. Needless to say, the Microsoft Foldable Keyboard is on its way back to the store.
The Microsoft Foldable Keyboard vs the tri-fold keyboard
The Microsoft Foldable Keyboard
PROS
- Looks good
- Lightweight
- Can easily switch between two paired devices using the dedicated buttons
- Trusted brand
CONS
- Expensive
- Difficult to use
- Slows down typing
The tri-fold keyboard
PROS
- Feels like a real keyboard
- Comes with a stand for your tab or phone
- Good price
CONS
- Heavier and bulkier
- Unknown brand
If anyone has successfully adapted to the Microsoft Foldable Keyboard, please let me know using the comment section below.
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