Gavin’s Gadgets Review

The HP Bluetooth and The Proporta Freedom Bluetooth Keyboard Review

By Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

For my next review, I have looked at 2 popular Bluetooth keyboards.

The HP Bluetooth Keyboard is available from www.hp.com

This is compatible with the following HP devices - h1940, h2000, h2200, h3000, h4100, h4300, h5000, h6300, rx3000, hx4700 Series. HP keyboard shown below.

The Proporta Bluetooth Keyboard is available from www.proporta.com

This is compatible with many cross platform devices including Pocket PC/Windows CE Phones eg HP/Compaq, Dell, Asus, O2 XDA, iMate smartphone 2, Orange SPV e200; Palm os eg; Palm Zire 72, Tungsten T, T3, Sony Clies; Symbian eg, Nokia 6600, 7610, 3650, 7650, 6630, N-Gage and N-GageQD, Panasonic X700, Sendo X, Siemens SX-1, SE P800, P900, P910

Above – picture of Proporta Freedom Bluetooth keyboard.

The pricing of both devices are very similar, so which keyboard is the best? Well if you were to judge this contest of compatibility the Proporta Bluetooth keyboard has already won. In fact the range of alternative platforms that it works with is very impressive. So if you ever switched from palm os to windows mobile or to Symbian you would not need to buy another keyboard.

However, I was surprised to see that a case was supplied with the Proporta keyboard, quite a nice touch and great for looking after your investment.

Both keyboards are similar is size. The HP is slightly larger by a few millimetres in width and depth, but to be honest the difference is minute. The Proporta definitely feels lightly in the pocket which is another bonus.. Both devices have a pull out locking stand for your PDA but the Proporta stand can also be removed. Also the keyboard stand on the Proporta is centralised on the keyboard. Just a brief note for any 4700 owners. The 4700 does not sit securely on the HP stand in landscape.

HP is top, Proporta bottom.

So does the HP keyboard have any advantage over the Proporta. Well it does have one. Fully extended the HP keyboard surface occupies a larger area. Therefore, the keys are larger and easier to press. Also when opening the HP keyboard the keys automatically align up. With the Proporta you have to slide the left side keys. So how are they in use? Both feel solid when typing and neither would cause any problems in use.

Both keyboards are very good and work well across a range of devices. The Proporta keyboard is exceptionally good value for money and works across several pocket/phone operating platforms. It also comes with a protective case and is lighter. The Proporta would be my choice overall.

Review by Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Any comments or feedback to gavin at palm247 dot com.