Day 60 with a Windows 8 Tablet - Get the Keyboard
Day 60 with a Windows 8 Tablet - Get the KeyboardI finally purchased the keyboard that was designed to work with the Samsung Ativ 500T Smart PC Tablet. My advice for potential new users of hybrid Windows 8 tablet devices, like the Ativ 500T, is to get the keyboard as part of the initial purchase. I purchased the Ativ keyboard at Staples on sale for $99 (regularly $129) a couple of weeks ago and I have no regrets. It has made some of my initial workarounds unnecessary and has essentially turned my tablet into a touch-screen Ultrabook. I remain very satisfied with my purchase of the both the Ativ 500T Tablet and the snap-on keyboard.
Snapping the keyboard on and off is much better than having to “pair” the tablet to a Bluetooth or other wireless keyboard. I do however still use my wireless keyboard when I have my tablet connected to a HDTV or projector as it allows me to walk around (or lay on the couch) and control the tablet from anywhere in the room. But, I have recently found a new wireless display technology that may make even that unnecessary.I read several reviews that gave the Ativ 500T keyboard mixed results and this is what stopped me from purchasing the keyboard originally. Many complained that it was not easy to snap the keyboard on and off but I have not had any trouble in this regard. There are two plastic covers that cover the slots used to connect the tablet to the keyboard. Remove the plastic covers on the tablet and you will have no problem snapping the keyboard on and off the tablet. Turns out this was a common complaint that brought the overall review score down, but this was the result of some end users not reading the instructions to remove the plastic tabs and thus caused them problems, duh.
I have nothing but praise for this keyboard. It is a full-size island style keyboard with an excellent feel. It is very easy to type with over long periods of time, as a keyboard should be.
My Windows 8 tablet is often with me in the evenings as I watch TV and allows me to get caught up on my Twitter feed, emails, and play a game or two. The snap-on / snap-off keyboard style has made this device a true production machine and I can now type long Word documents (and blog posts) with ease as well as reply to emails without resorting to onscreen keyboards that I just do not get along with. Onscreen keyboards work in a pinch but it is a joy to use this full-size keyboard snapped to the touchscreen tablet. I often use the touchscreen even when the keyboard is attached as many screen gestures are just natural to touch the screen in the Windows 8 interface. Again, I ignore many of the technorati bloggers and others that say end users do not want a touchscreen in a laptop form factor. I DO want a touchscreen, and a touchscreen will be a requirement on all my future devices, even laptop and desktop form factors. It makes that much of a difference.
There are also some extremely useful keyboard shortcuts that I use to maneuver around the Windows 8 interface when the keyboard is attached to my tablet. The “Windows” (Win) key by itself immediately brings you to the “Start Screen”, press Windows key again and you return to whatever app you were in. Win+C brings up the Charms bar, Win+I brings you to Settings, Win+X brings up the “Power Users” menu, Win+S brings up the screen clipping tool to save selected regions of the screen to OneNote (I love OneNote!!!) Win+D switches to Desktop mode, Win+H Share, Win+K Devices, Win+F Files, Win+Q takes you to Search.On the Desktop side of Windows 8 all the normal keyboard shortcuts that I have learned over the years still work in Windows 8 using the snap-on keyboard. Alt+F4 closes the current window (also a very easy way to close metro-style apps) Ctrl-C for copy, Ctrl-V for Paste, Win+Tab cycles through your open apps (Alt+Tab also works this way), Shift+arrow keys allow you to hightlight text on the screen in Word. Ctrl++ Zoom in, Ctrl+ - Zoom out
Learn these shortcuts and you will be able to fly around the interface and become much more productive in your day to day work with a Windows 8 Tablet. Use the touchscreen whenever it is more natural for you. Having a choice of user inputs puts you in control of your workflow. Blogging this experience has taught me a lot over the past 60 days. I think what I learned most is that getting hands-on experience trumps all the reading of reviews and opinions of others. In the end it is your experience and opinion that matters most, do your homework ,but also make informed decisions based on real-world use. Did I say, get the keyboard.
Keep on Learning,Tom Grissom, Ph.D.
You can follow me on Twitter @tomgrissom
P.S.
My iPad and Android tablets are still gathering dust since I have purchased this Windows 8 tablet two months ago. This tablet meets my needs better than anything else I have ever used. With a 10 hour battery life, instant on/off, connected standby, full-size USB port, expandable microSD storage, microHDMI out for connecting to a HDTV or projector, choice of touch or keyboard input, hybrid laptop or slate form factor, full version of Office 2010 with OneNote, and digitizer with Pen input this device is the most flexible device for all around use.
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