I’ve found that using the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 with a keyboard makes me more productive with the 9.7-inch tablet. Belkin must agree because today the company announced a pair of keyboards that work with the Tab 10: Both are wired with a USB-C connector and one of the pair has an integrated stand for the Chrome OS tablet.
Belkin says both will be available this summer, which is perfect timing for any schools that are deploying Acer Chromebook Tab 10 devices in the coming school year. The base model will cost $39.99 while the option with stand adds another $10 of that. Personally, I’d opt for the one with the stand so that the tablet isn’t lying flat on a desk or table.
Both are “ready for standardized tests with SBAC and PARCC testing compliance” and are plug-and-play with Chrome OS: There are no drivers or software to install. I’m glad to see these are wired units because Bluetooth on Chrome OS tends to be a little flaky. And in the classroom, teachers won’t want to troubleshoot wireless connectivity issues.
Obviously, these keyboards aren’t specific to the Acer Chromebook Tab 10, although Belkin specifically notes compatibility with the tablet.
So if there are any other Chrome OS tablets on the way, these would surely work with them. Heck, if you have an HP Chromebook X2 and don’t want to travel with the HP keyboard base, this might make for a nice travel keyboard.
7 Comments
These beastly keyboards are definitely meant for classroom use, but it’s a good sign that 3rd parties are thinking about Chrome tablet-specific keyboards.
I’m surprised these don’t have a touchpad, but perhaps they anticipate future Chrome OS features that will let us fully emulate a mouse with finger or stylus.
Just speculating, but I believe that Belkin left off any kind of touchpad or mouse feature just to keep the cost and price as low as possible. After all, since the Acer Tab 10 is a touchscreen tablet, it should be easy enough just to finger. Granted, Chrome OS still needs significant improvements to make it fully finger-friendly.
Yeah, in a classroom situation, for “test compliance”, I’m guessing simple screen taps will do the job. Likewise for Android apps.
For general browser use in Chrome OS, we still need a way to hover or drag. (I had the same problem a while back with a Windows tablet, trying to use the Chrome browser.)
Not merely a touchscreen, but it comes included with a stylus!
I’d like to see Logitech put out something similar to the iPad Pro 12.9 case that has a kickstand and detachable backlit keyboard. Maybe down the road as Chrome OS tablets become the norm.
I agree, some kind of case/stand/keyboard unit would be nice. Ideally, it should let me place the tablet horizontally or vertically when typing. And not collapse in my lap. And similar to Windows tablet keyboards, it should have a touchpad.
The trick is doing all of that while keeping the entire package (including tablet) under 2 pounds.
Assume it will work on Chromeboxes. It will be a nice choice then.