Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Here's a quick version of my thoughts: It has extra keys that make the plus and zero keys the size of most other keys instead of their typical double size, the keys are harder to press than your typical laptop keys, and there's a disconcerting warning about lead. However, it's thin, looks nice and simple, has keys that feel more like those on a standard keyboard, and, most importantly, is a keypad! I like it a lot, and it's worlds better than any way of entering numbers on a numpadless laptop keyboard. And now, the gory details:
All the usual keys are there, but the designer seemed to think it would be a good idea to stick in two extra keys, cutting two others down to standard size in the process. If you get used to using the new backspace key instead of flipping your hand over to the main keyboard for all your error correction needs, I think it could be quite helpful. However, it takes over the minus key's usual spot, forcing it down to where the top half of the plus key should be. This took me a bit of getting used to, but if you're used to Mac keyboards, you'll be right at home. The other new key has only two purposes: to enter three zeros with a single keystroke, and to replace the right half of the normal zero/insert key. I don't think either purpose is very good, but hey.
Next up is that lead warning that another reviewer mentioned. It was a bit disconcerting, but I'm lazily hoping it's a warning along the lines of cancerous things in California and nut-free candy made in factories that use peanuts. But if you're concerned about this sort of thing, it's probably better to save yourself the trouble and do without.
As far as the general look and feel are concerned, I really like this thing. The tops of the keys only sit about 2cm above the surface the pad's sitting on, yet they depress about as far as a full-sized keyboard's would. If you've gotten into laptop keyboard mode, they feel like they require a lot of extra effort to press, but they feel pretty good otherwise. The only real oddity with the key pressing is that the numlock key doesn't toggle unless you let go of it within half a second. I have no idea what purpose that could serve, but there you go. The whole thing feels solidly built, and it doesn't have bulky protrusions and LCD screens all over the place. The two USB ports up top (which are great for my 3-port laptop) hold on very well to the devices you feed them. I usually have a wireless mouse receiver hooked up to one, and I've had no problems after attaching a bluetooth receiver or a printer to the remaining port. Other reviewers have had power-related problems, though, so if you have really hungry devices, plug them directly into your computer instead, if you can. Finally, it is a corded device, and the cord is about two and a half feet long. Plenty long unless you intend to use it as a remote control or want to use it with a desktop computer that's not on your desktop. I usually plug it into the left side of my laptop with the cord running around the back, and there's lots of slack left in it.
That's all I can think of. If you need a keypad and want something thin and clean-looking, this should do the trick.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Toshiba PA1390U-1NKP Slim USB Numeric Keypad with 2-Port USB Hub
The Toshiba PA1390U-1NKP is a slim USB numeric keypad that is ideal forspreadsheets, accounting or financial applications with your computer.It has all the functionality of a standard keypad plus two USB 1.1 portsto use additional devices simultaneously. With 19 low profile keys in aconvenient layout, it is comfortable and easy to use. Take it anywhereyou go thanks to plug-and-play technology and a slim design. Toshibaoffers a one year limited warranty. System requirements are one USB portand a PC running Windows 98 or later or a Macintosh with OS 8.6 orlater.
