Looking for portable keyboard recommendations: must have USB-C connectivity, not just bluetooth
TL;DR: recommendations for a small or folding keyboard that in addition to Bluetooth, also connects directly by USB C.
Hello all. I'm a contractor who does a bunch of different stuff, and one of the areas I occasionally do is on-site IT work.
I'm always looking for better tools, and while I can and do keep a standard full-size USB keyboard in my van, I'd like something more space efficient that I can fit in a small toolbag. There are tons of mini and/or folding Bluetooth keyboards out there, and some of them have USB-C or mini-USB ports, but so many of them are either only for charging, or just don't tell you if you can connect to a computer by USB. Since most rack servers aren't going to have Bluetooth and I want an option that involves the least number of steps (trying to avoid a bluetooth keyboard and having to use a USB bluetooth adapter), I'd really like a mini or folding keyboard that, while it can do Bluetooth, also can connect to a computer by standard USB. I specifically want a USB C port since I'm trying to standardize my gear on that.
Thank you everyone!
Just to be clear, do you need a FULL keyboard, or can you do something like a 60%.
For example (doesn't fold but so you get an idea of the layout) https://www.keychron.com/collections/60-layout-keyboards/products/keychron-k12-wireless-mechanical-keyboard
I have a version of the above, and it does bluetooth, wifi, and usb C, and is also low profile, so it's quite easy to slip into a bag or something.
There's also split keyboards, but that gets esoteric enough I wouldn't really recommend it for work.
The reason I ask is because i've personally found no folding keyboards that don't outright suck.
Another popular keyboard I've seen from my friends in the AV area is this style:
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitech-k400-plus-tkl-wireless-membrane-keyboard-for-pc-tv-laptop-tablet-with-built-in-touchpad-black/7575039.p?skuId=7575039
Which is basically just a full keyboard with touchpad. I don't think that exact model fits your needs, but I think there's newer ones that may.
It doesn't need to be a full keyboard (one that has a numpad if that's what you mean). It also doesn't have to be a folding one - that would be somewhat preferred for the sake of fitting it into a smaller kit bag, but it isn't a dealbreaker.
The Keychron you linked looks like it fits my feature requirements, though it is a bit larger than I would prefer, I'm not going to rule it out. My only other concern with the 'mechanical' keyboard type is how sturdy are the keys if it is in a kit bag with other stuff pressed against it? That is part of why I was considering something that folds - a folding design protects the keys.
Still, this is certainly an option I will look into more, thank you.
As for the Logitech - I'm trying to avoid anything with wireless dongle connectors as that is a point of failure - if I lose the dongle, it isn't as simple to replace quickly in the field as a USB cord.
Mechanical keyboards are more sturdy than other types of keyboards, at least in the switch department. Plus, worst case you can keep a stable of spare key caps at the office for if one breaks. Key caps and switches are often designed to be user replaceable as opposed to the K400 (which I also own) where if part of it breaks, it's broken.
Also, you can get a small hard or soft case to protect the keys without massively increasing the overall bag space.
The problem with normal profile mechanical keyboards is the keys sticking out. This can put a lot of force on the switches when taking the keyboard out of a backpack.
I'd always recommend putting a mechanical keyboard into a sleeve of some kind. Otherwise, you will end up missing keys and switches that stop working.
Ok, so first off I do have this model, which is a bit smaller than the one i linked earlier (perhaps most importantly, thinner):
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k7-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard
and you can get a case for it, https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-keyboard-carrying-case?variant=40444482355289 although that's pretty bulky.
Personally i've rarely had issues carrying mechanical keyboards.
The downside of course is these are quite expensive, so I get that this probably isn't the perfect solution .
As for the logitech, yeah I know it doesn't do wired, but I thought there were some in that style that did, however I now can't find anything except the usual no name amazon brands https://www.amazon.com/wired-keyboard-trackpad/s?k=wired+keyboard+with+trackpad
The K7 Max you linked looks pretty good to me - includes the arrow key set and is quiet while also being thinner than the first model. The cost is a bit high in the context of keyboards, but I'm generally not one to cheap out on tools, just having to do a bit of mental reframing to look at a keyboard in that light.
Yeah. For what it's worth I've literally had this exact conversation with a friend in the AV industry, and I think there's large niche for a quality, but cheap, product that fits these needs. I doubt you need something mechanical if you could get it for $20-60, but it just doesn't seem to exist. Blows my mind how many GOOD basic IT testing tools are missing these days.
Yes. Very much agreed.
I think the problem there is that there is such a flood of no-name cheap stuff that does the job that companies aren't interested in trying to compete. I can't say I blame them, if there are 'adequate' products out there, and you are looking at making something with not much better in the way of specific features (or has a combination of features that the majority market isn't interested in), just better quality for 2-4x the price - especially in tech where the cultural norm has been firmly rooted in 'cheap/break-it-and-replace-it + the whole planned obsolescence issue'...
...yeah, I can see why that niche is underserved.
I don't use this as a daily driver (it goes in my laptop bag and gets used on occasion), but I have this random Chinese 60% mechanical keyboard that gets the job done. Happy to answer questions, but it has USB-C connectivity and can also go bluetooth (and save up to 3 devices). If price is a factor, this might be a good alternative.
As someone with that Logitech keyboard, it's great for when I need to control a computer/steam link/etc. from a couch, but I would loath it for regular typing. The key layout isn't very comfortable.
Nuphy Air V2
I use the 75 at work and the 96 at home and they're phenomenal, fully supported by QMK/Via, and easy to toggle and connect to 3 Bluetooth devices or wired via USBC. There's a Folio you can get for like $20 that is nice for shoving it in a bag. They are low profile, so relatively thin, but don't fold which is why I carry the 75 for work. The 60nmight be small enough for you.
I've been using this thing for two years now: it has a three-position toggle switch on the back between wireless, wired and off-- and it does connect over USB-C.
Software situation on it is awful though and the included 2.4GHz dongle (that is thankfully optional as it also has Bluetooth) is unencrypted. So you win some you lose some. https://nuphy.com/products/air75
Hmm. This is looking like it fits the bill for the features I'm prioritizing. Thank you, I'm going to look into the options from this company and compare with the other brand suggested so far (Keychron).
Keychron I think is the more well-known brand and definitely has better software. So there's that.
Would a USB RF adapter that functionally acts like a wired USB connection (no drivers necessary, plug and play on anything that supports USB) be ok in place of wired USB?
If so, I'd recommend the Trackpoint II Keyboard. Supports both USB RF and Bluetooth, includes a solid pointing device, battery life is about 2 months. Pretty decent to type on too.
I have one that I use with my living room entertainment setup, as well as anywhere else in the house that I need a keyboard+mouse in a pinch. As long as it has a USB port, I can use the keyboard with it. Have used it with a Windows machine, PS5, and FreeBSD server among other things.
I am trying to avoid a wireless dongle for the reason of limiting points of failure in my toolkit. If I lose a USB cord, same-day field replacement is trivial - if I lose a specific model USB wireless dongle, same-day field replacement may not be doable.
So its almost certanly not what your looking for, but on the off chance it is, I use the Ferris sweep that I built myself for work, including lugging it around in my bag to connect to servers (now if only there was a portable screen of a similar size I could hook up as well...). I wrote a bit about building the sweep here
Do you have any advice for someone who's been eyeing a DIY split keyboard project for a while? The designs always look so cool and ergonomic. It just seems daunting to start researching. I'm plenty comfortable with soldering and 3d printing, but don't have as much experience with microcontrollers (though am happy to learn tools necessary for these builds). Appreciate any direction or pointers!
Understand Im coming at this from the background of someone who was not comfortable soldering, but was comfortable 3d printing and using microcontrollers. That out of the way:
Just to chime in as someone who enjoys all the requisite tasks involved. I'd not recommend handwriting a keyboard unless you're really into it. It's a fiddly long job and very repetitive as far as each key is a similar process over however many keys you choose to have.
Superb, thank you so much! If definitely rather spend a bit more for a PCB and solder to it than wire it. Handwring sounds like an exhausting prospect but I guess you'd get more flexibility for shape? That being said, I had to do a lot of repeated soldering a couple months back and got pretty good with it by the end.
I hadn't considered much for low-profile vs regular switches. My keyboard at home is a Logitech keyboard with Cherry MX browns. But your comment and design have made me consider building one to carry in my backpack for longer typing sessions on the go. So low-profile might be the way I go.
I found this big compilation of different mechanical keyboard projects someone maintains on GitHub: https://keebfolio.netlify.app/en/split/. Any other resources like this that you're aware of? I suppose theres probably a subreddit dedicated to this as well.
/r/ergomechkeyboards is the subreddit id go to, as well as the low profile keyboards discord.
While you are correct that it is not what I'm looking for, that is really cool and I'm glad to get to know about it. Thank you!
+1 on the K400. You can pair it with the Logitech universal adapter. So if you are worried about losing the USB plug in, you can just carry 2 or 3.
For what it's worth, I've never had the Logitech adapter fall out while moving my laptop in and out of my bag. And my 3 year old has dragged, dropped, drooled on, and overall toddlered my K400 and I have not had any issues with it.
The main downside for me is that it is still just a laptop keyboard layout so the key spacing is just a little off from where I expect them to be when typing. But the built in track pad is convenient for the times when carrying a separate mouse wouldn't be.