ThinkOutside Sierra Bluetooth keyboard: hands on review

It doesn't get any more "hands on" than an actual keyboard review, now does it? I passed along a great deal on the new Think Outside Sierra Bluetooth keyboard last week (just $98 at Amazon) right after I ordered it. Lo and behold, Mr. FedEx dropped off a box only 2 business days later!  Now my mobile office is completely wireless and can be carried in one hand.

I'll cut to the chase right now and begin with the end: when asked how this keyboard works, here was my response after using it for just one hour:

"If I close my eyes and start typing, I can't tell the difference between this portable keyboard and a notebook keyboard." OK, I gave you the summary first because of all the pictures after the jump. For all of the eye-candy pics and first impressions, read on....

Right out of the box, I was impressed. The outside of the keyboard is a shiny metal, that doubles as a mirror. Of course, if you're vain like me and have to check your hair gel every hour, you'll soon see fingerprints all over the outside can get a little annoying. However, there is a microfiber cloth included that cleans up the keyboard in a jif. From a size perspective, the Sierra takes up roughly the same folded footprint as my older "Sonoma" model:

The larger keyboard of the Sierra however, does require the device to be thicker than its predecessor. Keep in mind the older Sonoma model folds in half; the new Sierra folds into quarters, so the thickness is to be expected. Here you can see the Sierra in the middle, the Sonoma to the left, an XV6700 to the right and Sammy in the background to compare the thickness:

I'm not finding the extra thickness to be an issue. It's a small price to pay for the additional functionality and productivity. To open the Sierra, there's a solid slide-button on the side. Simply slide the button down and the keyboard unfolds. Here's a sequence of the keyboard opening to give you a complete picture (or 5) of the innovative unfolding mechanism:

Slide the button to open.

Open the sides and you're halfway there.

Now unfolded, you can see gaps in the keys for the hinging. Don't worry.

There's a long red handle on the left and right side. Use these to slide the keys together and...

..you're ready to work!

Speaking of work: how does it work? After just one hour of typing, I knew I'd never go back to the Sonoma model. Here are a number of reasons why:

• The extra row of keys for numbers and Function keys saves a few seconds each time I need to type a number. Those seconds add up.
• The entire keyboard is just like a notebook keyboard; there aren't any compromises.
• This version is flatter on the workspace and is much more stable; there isn't any balancing or rocking problems.
• There are extra hot-keys that really come in handy for a mobile device; one-touch for Contacts, Calendar, Mail and Internet.
• The device uses a single AAA battery, not two AAA's like the Sonoma.
• No drivers were needed in XP; simply pair the devices and XP does the rest.

Here's a quick pic of the above mentioned hot-keys, just to give you an idea:

I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything on this keyboard. I have all of the keys I need in a fold-able package. The overall footprint of the Sierra is larger than the Sonoma, but that's a compromise I'm more than willing to make. Speaking of the footprint, let's give you an idea of the difference between the two keyboards:

Yes, it's bigger but...

Those dedicated number keys on the top make all the difference in the world!

Oh, I almost forgot about the included device stand! On the Sonoma model, the device stand was attached so that you could place a smartphone or handheld right on the keyboard. I removed mine; you can see the two attachment holes in the pic above. On the Sierra, you won't see a device stand...but it's there, nonetheless!

If you flip the keyboard over, you can see that the device stand is removable and is inserted against the keyboard for storage. Great idea!

The thin stand is on the back. Just remove it and unfold it.

Now you have a stand for your mobile device!

The Sierra is roughly double the thickness and double the weight of the Sonoma, but it has already become a permanent fixture in my mobile gadget bag. Remember that this keyboard will work with over 500 Bluetooth devices, per the included product documentation. This one keyboard can be used for multiple devices if you have them, so it can easily be extended to a Smartphone, Palm, etc....making it well worth the purchase.

For more info, check out the product page. If you have any specific questions, just leave 'em in the comments and I'll use "Sierra" to whip up a response!

[Edit: I originally called the older model the "Shasta", but James pointed out that the Shasta was the Blackberry model; all references to Shasta were corrected to the "Sonoma" model.]

Comments

[Alslayer]

Wow that device reminds me of my old Handspring keyboard. Too bad I decided to the samsung keyboard and case bundle. Kinda makes me feel like I have a computer stuffed into a big book.

[John]

Kevin,

Thank you very much for sharing your joy with us.

This makes the Q1 more of a better buy than the Sony UX, what is your opinion?

My previous main concerns about the Q1 is the lack of an actual hardware keyboard and the vectoring problem in inking with the stylus. This new keboard takes care of one of these concerns. I believe you did try Vista on Samy, did the vectoring problem go away in Vista? I heard that that Q1 users eventually overcome the vectoring problem, but it would be great not to have the issue at all in the first place. Like the experience to be as natural as in a regular tablet pc.

[ignar]

I got mine yesterday. Overall, I like the keyboard. I also have a thin BT keyboard, and find I can type much faster and more comfortably with Sierra. Some cons: I'm not a big fan of the shiny metal cover. Mine already has lots of fingerprints all over it and I wonder how tough it would be against scratch. Also the keyboard makes some noise, and it might not be appropriate to be used in a quiet room. It's not as loud as many desktop keyboards, but definitely louder than my notebook keyboard. Nontheless, I think the keyboard is worthwhile upgrade for the excellent key touch and the addition of number key row, and am happy with the purchase. Thanks for the Amazon link, Kevin.

[WORD-SMITH]

Dang it, Man, I'm just adjusting to the switch-over from a Dell Axim to the Moto Q, and the accompanying loss of a touch screen, and I was getting reasonably convinced that i don't really need to input that much "stuff" on such a little device; to just be satisfied to carry the data on something portable. And here you go and get my "gimmees" all agitated again!!!

GREAT review and well documented. Thanx. I want one.

[jk]

Nicely done, Kevin! That keyboard is highly portable and productive at the same time. I don't see a single comprosmise in the design.

[fil]

Being a handtop fan, I'm surprised that you don't go for the Fujitsu 1510D instead of the Q1 + BT keyboard, it's the same size, also has a touch screen, and integrated keyboard at roughly the same weight.

[jk]

fil, the keyboard on the 1510 is just too small for me to touch type easily. That why the Q1 plus keyboard is better for me personally. Plus, it gives me the option to leave the keyboard at home when I don't need it.

[Adam]

I love the review. I am looking forward to getting mine, and was wondering if you compared it to the Samsung keyboard and case like "Alslayer" has (first comment). If I go this route as you mention, what slim type case would you recommend?

[Philip Ferris]

Crikey, just when I thought I had my ideal portable setup (yeh, I know, the impossible dream)...

[Tim Gard]

Hi Kevin,

thanks for the nice review. I am just about to buy either the the sonoma or the sierra. Waht I like about the sonoma ist the stiffness, due to the lap-lock. How stiff is the sierra as compared to the sonoma? Can it be used comfortably on the lap?
Thanks for your reaction.

Tim

[Louis]

I've just ordered one on monday, received it wednesday, and started using it heavily today. This is an exceptional bargain, in my opinion. I do need the text input for my PDA (a Dell Axim x51v) in order to e-mail, use Agile Messenger with my myriad IM identities, e-mail on FlexMail2007, MS Word 2003 via Terminal Server, Pocket Word, etc. This thing is excellent, I'm even a fan of the Thinkpad styling. Having used both this and the original without the numbers row, I must recommend this as a superior product, both in engineering and in its aesthetic.

[Nelson]

FYI... I just ordered this keyboard from Buy.com -- With Google checkout, the whole thing came to $70.81, including shipping...

I think it's a BARGAIN at that price!

[gnomen]

is there anyway to use international characters, im danish and we still use those bothersome åæø characters a lot!

[Adria Richards]

Kevin,

Nice review and solid photos! I'm going to pick one up for my Dell Axim. It looks like the current price on Amazon.com is $75.xx.

[TS]

Great product, except the driver support and tech support is very disappointing, especially in the Palm driver support arena! They have a very difficult time in bringing out new drivers in a timely manner for new products.

[Bob]

What is that Samsung device in the background? Is that a portable monitor? Does anyone know? I could really use something like that!

[James Kendrick]

That's a Samsung Q1 UMPC.

[James Kendrick]

That's a Samsung Q1 UMPC.

[Wayne]

Great. I want to buy them, iGo bought the company out, and now I can't buy this device. I'm trolling around and finding it here and there on the internet, but not at any big retailer like amazon.

Thanks, iGo, for buying up a great product and then shutting it down.

[Wayne]

I called iGo, who bought up ThinkOutside. iGo has stopped manufacturing keyboards, what you see in Amazon and the like are just leftovers. They did not sell the division to another company, they just shut it down.

Good job. Hopefully someone will step up and fill in.

[Terry]

Help! I just bought the Sierra - new - on eBay. I installed a new battery, twice, but each time the keyboard doesn't power up. Did I get a dud, or am I doing something wrong? I'd greatly appreciate any guidance. Thank you.

[Andy]

Re: new keyboard not powering up. Might be the switch that turns the keyboard on only when it is "locked" into the operate position. The switch is not a user switch - it detects when the right 1/4 keyboard is latched into position. The switch is in the same assembly as the reset button and the LED and is under the plastic lip by the F11 key (when latched). If the screw which holds the reset/LED/switch assembly in place is loose or missing, the switch won't turn on the keyboard. Screw comes in from the back to the left of the word "Stowaway". If screw is missing, tape might hold the assembly together at least long enough for you to determine if that is the issue.

[Stevie]

Thanks for the review,
A few questions: Is that screen connected to your phone? Have you written a review of it? Are there mice that work with phones? Are you getting a g1?
I'll check back here or you could email me: FruitKck@hotmail.com

[Kevin C. Tofel]

Stevie, bear in mind that I reviewed this keyboard and took the above photos 26 months ago. At that time, I was connecting the XV6700 phone to the UMPC to use it as a 3G modem. For a mouse to work with a phone, you need a supported driver. No... no G1 for me. We reviewed it recently however.