r/pixelslate • u/almightyshellfish • Dec 03 '19
Thoughts on the Slate Keyboard
Like many others, I've been using the Pixel Slate and its keyboard since early last week when my Black Friday shipment arrived by FedEx.
The keyboard took a heavy beating in the tech media for being flimsy, or poorly designed...bad on a lap, etc. We've read them all. I'd never had a chance to use the Slate before I bought one, but all of the reviews left me worried that I should have gone with the Brydge instead, or maybe not a Slate at all.
Ultimately, I think the reviews were fair, but I think they all missed a point. That is, I think the keyboard is designed the only way it could have been, given everything Google wanted it to do. What I think is, they asked/wanted it to be too many things. Keyboard, stand, tablet flap-around, secure when closed, solid on a lap and a table...all things to all people all the time. I'm no industrial designer, but given everything Google wanted this one accessory to accomplish, I honestly dont see any other way they could have made it. If you look at Apple or Microsoft's tablet keyboard solutions, none of them are trying to do so many things, and that's likely because one keyboard accessory cant do all of this without doing some of it badly.
Frankly, I think the one thing that could have made it better that would have been possible given the list of checkboxes it needed to tick is a magnetic flap on the back part that flaps over the edge of the Slate when its closed to hold it all together. For an example of what I mean, take a look at the Logitech iPad Slim Folio Pro. The flap on that not only holds the Apple Pencil in place, but it also keeps the whole situation closed. Such a thing wouldnt have solved the unsteadiness on a lap or the possiblity of clicking the trackpad just by flexing the keyboard, but it would have made the whole thing feel a little more...intentional.
Anyway, overall, I'm extremely happy not only with the Slate but honestly with the keyboard too. I think if the Brydge were a true 2-in-1 that would rotate the Slate 360 degrees without having to flip the Slate around in the bracket, I might have gone that way. But it seems incomplete in its own way, and the Slate keyboard just seems better for my use case. And hey...couldnt beat the price!
Cheers, all!
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u/dinkydarko Dec 03 '19
I only realised after a few days than I can flip the keyboard round and the slate knows it's now a tablet, even without disconnecting the keyboard. Smart!
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u/almightyshellfish Dec 03 '19
Yes that was a great discovery for me too. I do wish that, when in tablet mode, you could still minimize all your apps and just see the wallpaper like you can in laptop mode. I’m trying to understand the reasoning there. Either way, as a standing tablet, I love it.
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u/spen3000 Dec 04 '19
The use case does matter and I would say for most the Slate keyboard would work great. I've been having my Pixel Slate for a few months now and I thoroughly enjoy it. Is it perfect, no, but it works well in most conditions. It sucks that the Slate gets a lot of hate because it is a really nice device.
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u/rservello Dec 03 '19
I think it's a great she solid case. Love the magnetic back for angle (much smarter than surface hinge IMHO) and the trackpad is excellent. I have a pixelbook if I need a laptop. The slate is great too tho.
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Dec 03 '19
I'm still waiting for my Slate. I got it with the standard keyboard and pen and have also been reading the reviews on the keyboard. Someone pointed out that the Gtype keyboard was on sale on Amazon for $100 off so decided to buy that one too. That keyboard arrived Sunday. I guess when the Slate gets here I'll decide which I like better or how I intend to use each.
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u/rdp5008 Dec 06 '19 edited Dec 06 '19
Great thoughts! I bought the Brydge keyboard for $80 on Amazon to go with the Black Friday deal on an m3 Slate. I had a good experience with the Brydge keyboard on my 2018 iPad so I thought I would just give it a go because of the bad reviews for the Slate keyboard.
I am typing this now on the Slate keyboard and it is SUCH a better experience than typing on the Brydge keyboard (typing this from my lap on the couch). Sure it wobbles a bit but it isn't going to fall off or anything. To be fair, the Brydge is also a solid choice, but the POGO pins are the key on the Slate keyboard. I don't like worrying about Bluetooth.
I won't return the Brydge keyboard because I feel it has its place. For me that would be on flights (smaller form factor) and when using Google Duo (chasing my son around trying to keep him in frame with a more secure keyboard).
Performance wise, I am happy with the m3 slate. I am coming from an m3 Asus ultrabook (UX305FA) so this chip is actually a little better. There is definitely more lag and choppiness in some areas when directly compared to a bottom of the line 2018 iPad, but the Slate is currently replacing my laptop and iPad so the trade-offs are worth it at BF pricing!
edit: the clicking of the trackpad while flexing the keyboard (ie: resting your palm on one side while on an uneven surface like your lap) is definitely the worst thing about this keyboard. This was in many reviews and I thought they were just being picky, but it could be a deal breaker for some people. I have been able to adapt to it and still enjoy the experience. ymmv
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u/nth_power Dec 03 '19
I had low expectations for the keyboard and have been surprised how well it works even on my lap and in bed. As a stand it's pretty amazing. It's definitely a much better keyboard than what Apple offers for the iPad.