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    Flexible Illuminated Full Sized Keyboard Review

    Discussion in 'Notebook News and Reviews' started by dietcokefiend, Oct 19, 2007.

  1. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    <!-- Generated by XStandard version 1.7.1.0 on 2007-10-19T14:17:25 -->

    by Kevin O'Brien

    Not every office environment is friendly for your computer hardware. What about all those coffee cups being thrown at people, and what happens if your office is submerged under water? For the untold number of unlucky souls that need to work in such places, one keyboard manufacturer has finally stepped up to the plate to provide a solution to this problem. The flexible backlit keyboard from Brando aims to solve this age-old problem with an affordable price tag sure to fit any sea captain's budget, yarrr.

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    Features:

    • Virtually indestructible
    • Strong and silent
    • Washable and hygienic
    • Portable and storable
    • Dust-proof and water-resistant
    • EL illumination on/off
    • Simply wipe up any spilled liquid with a damp cloth
    • Lightweight, ultra-slim and compact
    • Fits in your briefcase, backpack or notebook carrying bag and you do not have to worry any sharp edges
    • Size: 49x13 mm
    • Weight: 335g

    System Requirements:

    • Windows 98/2000/Me/XP (or Vista)
    • Available USB or PS2 Port

    Durability

    The Flexible Illuminated Full Sized Keyboard is made from a flexible and soft silicone material, which stands up to pretty much anything. For milder substances like coffee, soda, or water the keyboard laughs at the liquid, and ripples the fluid off with one quick shake across your desk. Harsher fluids like acid or gasoline were not tested for safety reasons, although they were not recommended to come in contact with the keyboard. The only weakness I found was the cable junction to the control module, which may not be completely water-tight.

    [​IMG]
    Our &quot;official&quot; Diet Coke spill test. (view large image)

    [​IMG]
    Yes, we tested it under a running water faucet. (view large image)

    Typing Comfort

    The flexible keyboard is not the most friendly to recognize key presses compared to the average plastic keyboard. Typing was very heavy and deliberate, otherwise you would get garbled sentences, like the following: &quot;Typing speeds are vry slowand accuracy forkpresses mkes typing usenames or passwords quite a chore. I was locked out of this site and ohes for typing in the incorrect informtion too many imes.&quot; As you can see, if you are not careful you will really confuse some people with your typing.

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    Illumination

    The electro luminescence feature of the keyboard is very bright in a dark room, but as pictured below it doesn't actually shine through the keys to show what letters you may be pressing. If you know the general location of different keys, it may help to get you back on target.

    [​IMG]
    (view large image)

    Conclusion

    I think it's a great keyboard if you need something to stand up to harsh conditions. If you are the type of person who eats over their computer, this might help save your you know what after an accident. All the features worked as advertised, although typing on the surface did take practice to get legible results. If you have $30 burning a hole in your pocket, you may want to considering picking one of these keyboards up from the Brando website.

    Pros

    • Stands up to just about anything
    • Folds into a burrito for easy transport (not edible!)

    Cons

    • Hrd to tpe on

     

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
  2. Outrigger

    Outrigger SupaStar Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    Not sure if its the camera but that is one BRIGHT keyboard! It would've been better if each individual key was backlight as opposed to the entire keyboard, but being that the material is silicone, it would be hard to do. But for $30, you can't go wrong.
     
  3. Shamoke

    Shamoke Notebook Consultant

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    Nice to see it with thinkpad. Cool alternative if the drain holes don't work.
     
  4. Teraforce

    Teraforce Flying through life

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    I've seen these "indestructible" keyboards before... I know someone who had one (it didn't light up), and it actually died on her. Go figure. I guess they're not "indestructible" after all. I'd much rather have an old IBM model M "buckling-spring" keyboard.

    Also, notice the old-school windows logo for the windows key...
     
  5. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    Well, you can find similar keyboards on ebay for $2.50 plus $7 shipping. How much "indestructibility" do you think $10 buys. ;)
     
  6. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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  7. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    The keyboard gives new meaning to the term "spongy feeling". Seriously, grab a sponge and start pressing your fingers on it and that's what typing on this thing feels like.

    It is a good keyboard for when you're outside using your laptop in the rain though :)
     
  8. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    You know what I'd do with this thing - put it in the shower. :) I would mount a cheap monitor to the outside of the shower facing in and put the keyboard inside on some sort of shelf. Then I'd hook my laptop up to both devices and be able to answer email while taking a shower. Now that would be cool.
     
  9. Jerry Jackson

    Jerry Jackson Administrator NBR Reviewer

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    Cool ... or very, very sad.
    ;)
     
  10. Kierkes

    Kierkes Misanthrope

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    Lol. Ready to try that. xD
     
  11. Teraforce

    Teraforce Flying through life

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    That keyboard may be durable and waterproof, but I'll take an old-school IBM Model M keyboard over that any day. You know, those keyboards that clicked very loudly when you typed, and were so heavy you could almost kill someone if you hit them with that keyboard? The fact that many are still working 20 years after they were made is a testament to how well-designed and durable they were made.

    Problem is, I can't go into the shower with it :(. But then again, who would want to? :confused:

    You can still get new and used IBM Model M keyboards here.
     
  12. Outrigger

    Outrigger SupaStar Reviewer NBR Reviewer

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    I can only think of one reason why you would want to use a computer while taking a shower, and it sure hell isn't for answering emails! :eek:
     
  13. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    I like the idea and price point, but I just have to say:

    That sounds just like every forum post. Actually, it's better.

    You don't check your spam box do you?
     
  14. Metamorphical

    Metamorphical Good computer user

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    As long as your goal isn't video conferencing in there that's cool.

    I have a smaller version of this. I won it at work during a contest. It is a cute novelty. But not very much fun to use. I can't think of what I'll ever do with it.
     
  15. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Haha, nice, Niki :p.

    Interesting for sure. I probably wouldn't like how "spongy" this keyboard would feel though.
     
  16. Stella

    Stella Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    This post demands pics.
     
  17. VendettA

    VendettA Notebook Consultant

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    lol, nice review, with a good sense of humor in it :D
     
  18. Gautam

    Gautam election 2008 NBR Reviewer

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    LOL!!! :D :p
     
  19. shaheenarshan

    shaheenarshan Notebook Deity

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    cold diet coke...mustve been refreshing ;)
    intresting keyboard though

    of the computer setup and not anythng else :D :D
     
  20. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    Another fancy gimmick, what good a keyboard if you can’t properly type ? :rolleyes:

    For me, these are the most important
    1. Layout
    2. How comfortable it is to type (how keys feel)
    3. Color , extra features (dedicated multimedia buttons, volume controller etc.) and brand.
    Spill resistance, back lights, ability to wash and weight are not even in my list, but then again that’s just me ;) .

    Still, it is nice to see reviews of this type of products. Good job :cool: !
     
  21. hello

    hello Notebook Consultant NBR Reviewer

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    "Cons: Hrd to tpe on"

    hahahahha that cracked me up!!
     
  22. Sam

    Sam Notebook Virtuoso

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    Haha, I didn't even notice that! That's funny :p.
     
  23. neonlazer

    neonlazer Notebook Evangelist

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    Not sure if you talked about it but they also have wireless version..maybe is fully waterproof :)

    But after looking at pics on the site of them, i see why they are not as responsive as regular keyboards...they are membrane switches...the same type of thing you see on ovens or microwaves...(lol learned that from How its Made :O )
     
  24. aigle

    aigle Notebook Consultant

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    When I saw it first time in the market( about 2 years back), I was too impressed and immediately bought it. That proved a totally wrong decision. Not a nice experiene to type on it. And worse that after few days, one key started behaving odd, it will sometimes work just when I pressed another nearby key. That was too annoying and no way to fix this as keys are not changable. I returned it and was much relaxed.

    My advice: Never ever buy it unless ur working environment really demands it.
     
  25. dietcokefiend

    dietcokefiend DietGreenTeaFiend

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    Well laptop keyboards and desktop keyboards use the same membrane interface, they just have plastic keys in a channel above them.