Product: Stowaway Portable Keyboard for Cassiopeia
Manufacturer: Targus
Web Site: http://www.targus.com
Category: Hardware - Input
Price: $99.99

Requirements: Pocket PC:
Casio Cassiopeia

Software:
Microsoft ActiveSync
Desktop Windows 95 / 98 / Me / 2000 / NT / XP

Pocket PC OS:
Windows CE 3.x (Pocket PC 2000)

Pocket PC CPU:
MIPS


While handwritten character recognition has come a long way and is very effective for inputting small amounts of information, nobody has invented a better character input device than the basic keyboard. While many different types of keyboards have been created for the PocketPC market, everything from full-size to micro “thumb” boards, the Stowaway Portable Folding Keyboard has been a favorite of PDA users for many years.

In this review, I am specifically taking a look at the Targus Stowaway Portable Keyboard for the Casio line of PocketPCs. This model supports the Cassiopeia family of PocketPCs. Personally I still use the E-125 and consider it one of the best PocketPCs ever developed. It may not be as stylish as an iPAQ, but it was one of the first to feature a CF slot and a backup battery with an interchangeable main battery. Plus it still has the best screen of any PocketPC except for use in bright daylight.

So even thought the Stowaway Keyboard has been around for a number of years and has been reviewed many times, why am I reviewing it now? Primarily for the many Casio owners that still support the Cassiopeia. Like many others, I have had to sit by and watch most of the peripheral manufacturers make nothing but iPAQ compatible devices. There are over a dozen keyboard devices for the iPAQ. How many have there been for the Casio? One. And it was a full-size keyboard that was difficult to carry with you. Until now, there have been no portable keyboard devices for the Cassiopeia. Casio owners can now have the same convenience and portable size keyboard that other PDA owners have enjoyed.



My apologies for using a photo featuring a Compaq iPAQ. However it was the only one I could find. The keyboard is exactly the same for the Cassiopeia and mounts to the keyboard in the same manner.

The Stowaway is a full-size keyboard featuring a sliding platform that allow for the keyboard to be ridged while in use and then folded into four sections so that it can be carried in a pocket. In its storage position, the Stowaway is only 7.9 ounces and is about the same size as the Casio E-125. It is a little wider and thicker than the E-125. The docking mechanism is built into the front edge of the keyboard. There are no cables or connectors carry. There is also a support stand for the PocketPC that folds down and stores under the keyboard. Special drivers will need to be installed on your PocketPC before using the Stowaway.




The keyboard is excellent for touch-typing, but may take a little getting use to. Especially if you normally use a “natural” keyboard. There are four application keys on the right side which give you quick access to the 8 primary applications. The keyboard is excellent for data-entry and even contains an embedded numeric keypad. If you normally use keyboard shortcut commands in your PC Windows applications, you will find that some of the basic commands are not mapped to the keyboard, so you will still need to use your stylus to select the function on the screen. This is not an issue with the Stowaway, but with the way the applications are designed for the PocketPC. While the keyboard is fairly ridged in its open position, it can still fold in the middle. So you will want to use it on a table or any flat surface. It would be difficult to use it on your lap.

The software driver allows you to customize the keyboard for your particular style of use. The keyboard repeat rate and delay, “hot” keys, and keyboard layout can be configured. At this time, only the Qwerty / English layout is available. The four application keys cannot be customized.

Overall, I found the keyboard easy to use and comfortable. It has a solid design and reasonable traveling size. If you are one of the many who are using a Cassiopeia and want a more reliable method of entering data, I highly recommend the Targus Stowaway Portable Keyboard.

On a personal note, my appreciation goes out to Targus for their commitment to the PocketPC market and supporting all models of PocketPCs. Not just the top selling one. Hopefully all PocketPC manufacturers will realize that working with the hardware peripheral companies will ensure that a wide range of options will be available to their customers and that this will help them sell more PocketPC and develop a market that has room for more than just one model. As much as I like the Compaq iPAQ, I believe in a market where I have a choice and am not forced to blindly follow everyone else.

Pros
Folds to a compact size
Built-in dock
Special application keys
Full-size keys and key spacing

Cons
Only available in Qwerty / English
Not all Windows keyboard functions are mapped
Cannot customize application keys

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

--Harvey Lee
PocketPC Editor