Keyboard-friendly tablets (roundup)
Looking for a tablet that supports both onscreen and physical keyboards? There are plenty out there, but we've rounded up our top picks.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Keyboard dock offers the advantages of a laptop-style keyboard for your tablet.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)Your keyboard needs a hug. Our national obsession with touch screens has put them on the endangered feature list.
But not all of us are content to type on our tablets by screen alone. If you're looking to pair your tablet with a Bluetooth keyboard, or maybe even find a tablet with an integrated keyboard, here's our list of top recommendations.
Asus EeePad Transformer
Asus shook up the
Android tablet world this summer when it released a low-price Honeycomb slate ($399) along with a $120 keyboard dock that effectively transforms the tablet into a laptop. We have our complaints about the fickle keyboard connection, but if you can look past it, the keyboard also acts as an extended battery for the tablet. Read the full review of the Asus EeePad Transformer.
Asus EeePad Slider
For the Slider, Asus takes the tablet keyboard concept even further by attaching a slide-out keyboard. It's a neat trick, though the keyboard adds considerable thickness. Read the full review of the Asus EeePad Slider.
(Credit:
ThinkGeek)
Apple iPad 2
The world's most popular tablet also offers some of the best options when it comes to keyboard support. Aside from Apple's own beautiful wireless keyboard, third-party manufacturers such as Logitech, Belkin, Targus, and Kensington all offer solutions customized for the iPad. The
iPad is also our CNET Editors' Choice, so it's a fairly safe bet you won't be disappointed. Read the full review of the Apple iPad 2.
(Credit:
Samsung)
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
The only other tablet out there with enough clout and popularity to warrant a line of third-party keyboards is Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1. Logitech offers some great custom keyboards, and Samsung sells one of its own (shown above). Read the full review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.
Lenovo ThinkPad tablet
We just recently wrapped up our review for the ThinkPad tablet, and as you'd expect, Lenovo packs in a ton of professional features, including a full-size USB port compatible with any off-the-shelf USB keyboard or mouse. For an extra $99, you can also purchase Lenovo's keyboard folio case, which includes the trademark red ThinkPad nub for navigating around the screen. Read the full review of the Lenovo ThinkPad tablet.
Toshiba Thrive
Like the ThinkPad, the Toshiba Thrive offers a full-size USB port for hosting any standard keyboard. It also has one professional feature that the Lenovo ThinkPad lacks: a removable battery. Read the full review of the Toshiba Thrive.
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