The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Keyboard with built in USB ports

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by Tim04, May 3, 2008.

  1. Tim04

    Tim04 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    78
    Messages:
    212
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I'm looking for a good keyboard with built in USB ports (my laptop doesn't have many to spare). I already see the Kensington Ci70 on the front page, but I'm looking for some more to compare. Any suggestions?
     
    Tim04, May 3, 2008
    #1
  2. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Keyboards dont usually come with extra USB ports. I havent actually seen one before

    You might wanna buy a USB hub if you want to plug in more devices
     
    flipfire, May 3, 2008
    #2
  3. X2P

    X2P COOLING | NBR Super Mod

    Reputations:
    3,179
    Messages:
    5,361
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    206
    They do have them (apple keyboards etc) but personally I would buy a USB hub and plug a keyboard into that. You would have more powerful connection that way to the extra usb ports.
     
    X2P, May 3, 2008
    #3
  4. ChevyNovaLN

    ChevyNovaLN Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    72
    Messages:
    226
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I agree. A USB Hub would be the best option to go with if you are using your laptop on a desk (assuming so since you're using a separate keyboard). That way you can use a powered USB hub and will be able to plug in non-powered USB Mass Storage devices (the ones with laptop drives) that do not require their own power adapter unless the USB port is underpowered, and in general the plain 'ol ability to use many USB devices on the hub at once.
    A Cheap example of a non-powered hub (which I don't recommend for anything more than non-power hungry USB devices), is the Linksys USBHUB4C 4-port hub. Its only capable of USB 1.1 but lets face it, non-powered isn't the way to with 4 ports.

    A cheap example of a powered yet somewhat stylish USB 2.0 4-port hub is this one on NewEgg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817165029

    Now, if it is your intention to keep your number of accessories down when you travel while still bringing your keyboard with you, a hub IS an extra thing you have to carry, as well as the cable that goes between it and the notebook. Not usually a big deal, but if you're cramped for space it can help to not have to carry a hub. I haven't checked the keyboard you mentioned, hopefully i'm not duplicating posts here, but the Matias USB 2.0 Keyboard is supposed to be fairly decent with 2 USB ports on the back (not the side) of the keyboard. Here's a review on another site:
    http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/11/29/111211.php

    FYI, You can order the black PC/MAC version that has the windows & alt button instead of the white one with the Command & Option buttons directly from Matias.
    http://matias.ca/order/index.php#usb2keyboard


    You may want to look at that. No fancy buttons, just volume up/down/mute and the full qwerty keyboard with number pad.

    Brian / ChevyNovaLN
     
    ChevyNovaLN, May 3, 2008
    #4