How about slapping this (when it comes out) inside a folding pouch and be done with it ? :-)

http://www.mobilitysite.com/2007/02/...h_keyboard.php

It seems that those who have actually used that keyboard, have only one complaint: It's too small to be used as a doorstop.

Wanna have a typing contest?

That does look very cool, but it looks too small for any real typing. It looks to be about the same size as a Zaurus Keyboard. That's too small for anything but minor/occasional text entry.

The little keyboard I used for my project is even too small for real touch typing, but it is pretty close. It is (was) the same keyboard others on these forums (Mike Crane, for one, I belive) own and have mentioned. With real moving keys, a proper space bar, and 71 total keys, it is very useable. My major complaint is that it has no right shift key. Anything less is simply not enough of an improvement over the 770's soft keyboards to be worth carrying.


It also does not help you use USB devices, or add storage capacity.

BTW, I now have my full article up at:

http://linuxslate.com/N770DockingStation.html

OTOH, this gizmo is just about the right size to cover the tablet's screen. So with the appropriate fixing contraption (Crossbow to the rescue ? :-) it could both be an alternative to Nokia's own strap-on screen protector for the N800 (which is still not available yet :-) *and* an attached fold-out keyboard many have been clamoring for...

On the 770, just glue a pair of magnets outside the aluminium cover and voilà :-)

Certainly not the same typing comfort than your keyboard (or mine), but it could be handy to have this permanently available, plus a larger foldable BT one for more intensive typing...

When I was still using my 770, I'd have agreed with you completely, but the virtual thumbboard has evolved from "completely useless crap that drops every thrid letter" on the 770 to "something I can actually use for short text entries" on the N800. Why would I want to add a hardware version that gives just about the same user experience?

Oh, and hats off for the laptop design, building and write-up ! It's a lot more "thinking" and "making" than I'd thought at first from the pictures...

I had a similar idea last year, but with a simpler, more off-the-shelf approach (I know my limits with a Dremel :-). I had a nice Case Logic pouch made for storing 72 CDs. Once stripped of the inside CD sleeves, it is just the right size in all three dimensions to hold my Keysonic USB nano-keyboard in the lower half, and the 770, USB 4xAAA pack, USB hub, and USB Y-cable in the lid. I was too lazy to actually finish it though :-)