Free discussion: how strong is the kindle keyboard?

mcmay · 07-19-2013, 04:58 AM

I might just be curious to ask how strong the kindle keyboard can be. But, for me and maybe for many others who use kindle a lot not so much for reading books as for writing codes of a certain programming language on various terminals, it becomes necessary that the kindle keyboard be strong and durable enough to receive an infinite number and variety of presses. The chances are that the keyboard will, like the keyboard of PCs or Laptops, break down some day which, believably, may come sooner than expected. Therefore, the question of durability becomes important. I'd like to request those who have had more and longer experience with this wonderous device (it indeed is) to share your experience of using the kindle keyboard. What if it eventually breaks down and beceoms unable to deliver the presses it receives? Can the keyboard be repaired or replaced with a new one?

HarryT · 07-19-2013, 05:05 AM

Keyboard failures on the KK are relatively commonplace - it's not intended for continual typing; more for occasional use in searching, annotation, etc.

The "soft" keyboard on the touch-screen Kindles is probably a lot more durable. No moving parts to go wrong.

knc1 · 07-19-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Keyboard failures on the KK are relatively commonplace - it's not intended for continual typing; more for occasional use in searching, annotation, etc.

In general, I agree. This isn't a programming or data-entry device.

If the O.P. is asking about their DXG - -
That model is built like a rock, and probably has a longer keyboard life than the other keyboard models.

On the downside -
It is now long out of production.

You might be able to get an idea about how replaceable the keyboard is from one of the teardowns:
https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/DX%2...ndex#Teardowns

If that looks possible, you might want to start shopping for a spare keyboard. Now, before you have to compete with a world full of DX(G) owners looking for a replacement.

Note: from posts made here, the joystick is the first thing to go.

HarryT · 07-19-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knc1

Note: from posts made here, the joystick is the first thing to go.

... because it's by far the most frequently used key, I'd guess.

knc1 · 07-19-2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

... because it's by far the most frequently used key, I'd guess.

Well, Amazon seems to have the battery life-time (of the new devices) engineered down to warranty period + 2 months.

Engineering the **unused** keys to wear out in warranty period + 2 months is a bit larger challenge.

HarryT · 07-19-2013, 08:46 AM

I honestly do think that the soft keyboard is a lot better. I can type about 10x faster on my Touch and PW than on my old Kindle Keyboard.

knc1 · 07-19-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I honestly do think that the soft keyboard is a lot better. I can type about 10x faster on my Touch and PW than on my old Kindle Keyboard.

Oh, I agree with that. Sorry if I wasn't being clear.

Just wanted to cover the chance that the O.P. was asking about their own device, which recently had larger terminal fonts installed.

There are products, tablets the size and weight of the DX(G), made for commercial data-entry.
They are almost without exception, touch screen devices without mechanical keyboards.

chr1st0ph3rc · 07-20-2013, 03:12 PM

Before my kindle keyboard went to kindle heaven I loved typing on it. The kindle touch keyboard seems so inaccurate and hard to use. As a typing device I would definitely prefer the k3.

mcmay · 07-22-2013, 09:25 AM

Many thanks to all that have participated in the discussion in this thread. Having read all the suggestions in your discussion and considered my own conditions and needs, I determined that I use kindle only as my secondary platform for writing codes. Anyway, I'd feel sad to see the keyboard of my kindle DXG broken and no longer usable. I'd like to see my kindle complete and well. Thank you again for your discussion.

nasser · 07-22-2013, 12:15 PM

Android has some "wifi keyboard" apps.. where you type on your PC keyboard and it shows up on your running android app..
maybe possible here too..?

mcmay · 07-25-2013, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasser

Android has some "wifi keyboard" apps.. where you type on your PC keyboard and it shows up on your running android app..
maybe possible here too..?

That is possible for Kindles with wifi connection and needs software support. I hope that this will become true sometime soon.

twobob · 08-05-2013, 09:05 PM

The dxg is pretty hardcore, but the keys die as stated by the others.

The kindle 3 has a known fault where the casing cracks with too much pressing of keys.

The 4 "keyboard" is a joke. not a good one.

The newer keyboards (TS) obviously live longest.

What - exactly - is this "type on PC keyboard, show up on kindle" software you need?

I used to do that via VNC all the time?

Intrigued.

brianinmaine · 08-05-2013, 11:22 PM

an example of a "remote keyboard for android" http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/remote-...one-via-wi-fi/

07-19-2013, 04:58 AM	#1
mcmay Member Posts: 13 Karma: 5010 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kindle DXG, iPad2, SAMSUNG NOTE II	Free discussion: how strong is the kindle keyboard? I might just be curious to ask how strong the kindle keyboard can be. But, for me and maybe for many others who use kindle a lot not so much for reading books as for writing codes of a certain programming language on various terminals, it becomes necessary that the kindle keyboard be strong and durable enough to receive an infinite number and variety of presses. The chances are that the keyboard will, like the keyboard of PCs or Laptops, break down some day which, believably, may come sooner than expected. Therefore, the question of durability becomes important. I'd like to request those who have had more and longer experience with this wonderous device (it indeed is) to share your experience of using the kindle keyboard. What if it eventually breaks down and beceoms unable to deliver the presses it receives? Can the keyboard be repaired or replaced with a new one? Last edited by mcmay; 07-19-2013 at 05:36 AM.

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07-19-2013, 05:05 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Keyboard failures on the KK are relatively commonplace - it's not intended for continual typing; more for occasional use in searching, annotation, etc. The "soft" keyboard on the touch-screen Kindles is probably a lot more durable. No moving parts to go wrong.

07-19-2013, 08:46 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I honestly do think that the soft keyboard is a lot better. I can type about 10x faster on my Touch and PW than on my old Kindle Keyboard.

07-20-2013, 03:12 PM	#8
chr1st0ph3rc Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 29456 Join Date: Jun 2013 Device: Kindle Touch 5.3.2.1	Before my kindle keyboard went to kindle heaven I loved typing on it. The kindle touch keyboard seems so inaccurate and hard to use. As a typing device I would definitely prefer the k3.

07-22-2013, 09:25 AM	#9
mcmay Member Posts: 13 Karma: 5010 Join Date: Jan 2013 Device: Kindle DXG, iPad2, SAMSUNG NOTE II	Many thanks to all that have participated in the discussion in this thread. Having read all the suggestions in your discussion and considered my own conditions and needs, I determined that I use kindle only as my secondary platform for writing codes. Anyway, I'd feel sad to see the keyboard of my kindle DXG broken and no longer usable. I'd like to see my kindle complete and well. Thank you again for your discussion.

07-22-2013, 12:15 PM	#10
nasser Evangelist Posts: 475 Karma: 445678 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: Too many..	Android has some "wifi keyboard" apps.. where you type on your PC keyboard and it shows up on your running android app.. maybe possible here too..?

08-05-2013, 09:05 PM	#12
twobob ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°){ʇlnɐɟ ƃǝs}Týr Posts: 6,586 Karma: 6299991 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: uti gratia usura (Yao ying da ying; Mo ying da yieng) Device: PW-WIFI\|K5-3G+WIFI\| K4\|K3-3G\|DXG\|K2\| Rooted Nook Touch	The dxg is pretty hardcore, but the keys die as stated by the others. The kindle 3 has a known fault where the casing cracks with too much pressing of keys. The 4 "keyboard" is a joke. not a good one. The newer keyboards (TS) obviously live longest. What - exactly - is this "type on PC keyboard, show up on kindle" software you need? I used to do that via VNC all the time? Intrigued.

08-05-2013, 11:22 PM	#13
brianinmaine Evangelist Posts: 456 Karma: 1287375 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: West Gardiner, Maine Device: Touch (5.3.7)	an example of a "remote keyboard for android" http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/remote-...one-via-wi-fi/