Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsFantastic Portable Full Sized Folding Keyboard
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 March 2023
For those who travel and require a portable office or full sized keyboard away from the office, the ProtoArc XK01 should be at the top of the essentials list.
As someone who regularly works on the move, I’ve been through a few Bluetooth keyboards over the years and the ProtoArc XK01 is miles ahead of the competition for comfort and ease of use.
To begin with, it is a no compromise, full sized (including the number pad on the right) keyboard with scissor switch keys for satisfying feedback whilst typing. The sound produced by each key press is not silent but certainly softer than a traditional keyboard which is an added bonus for those who work in public spaces.
The trifold is a fantastic feature and unlike many other folding keyboards, the ProtoArc XK01 does not hinder or change the layout of the keyboard at all. Many of the other folding keyboards on the market split, reshape or move keys changing the layout of the keyboard. For those who type at speed, this keyboard will not slow you down at all.
When the keyboard is closed, it will automatically disconnect and turn off. When opened it will automatically connect to the last connected device. This feature is excellent as you can get straight into your work without having to play around with connectivity.
To pair the device, simply press one of the three Bluetooth buttons for three seconds to enter pairing mode, then search for the device using your Windows OS, Android OS, iOS or Mac OS. Once connected, the device will be paired to that device with the button you chose until you decide to pair it with another item. The ProtoArc XK01 can pair with three devices at a time and switch between them with the touch of a button.
Once the keyboard is folded closed, the sides of the hinges can be pressed in to lock the keyboard closed, this is a nice feature to stop the keyboard opening up during transit or whilst it is in your bag. Admittedly, this feature is great but takes a little attention as the top and bottom of the hinges need to be pushed evenly or the lock does not work. Although this is a criticism, it does not merit the loss of a star.
The Battery on the keyboard is great. At 210mAh, the ProtoArc XK01 has 150 hours of standby time from only two hours of charge time. This should be enough to use the keyboard for days with hours of use each day. Should the battery run out, the ProtoArc XK01 can be charged whilst in use. Furthermore, the type-C port is located at the top of the keyboard so the wire will not get in your way whilst you work and the set up will feel extremely natural.
Inside the Box you will get the ProtoArc XK01 keyboard, user manual and tyce-C charging cable.
The size of the ProtoArc XK01 when folded closed is 21cm x 12cm and has a depth of 1.5cm. It is extremely compact and weighs 297g making it ideal for transport.
The keyboard will go into sleep mode after 30 minutes of inactivity whilst open and will reactivate after the press of any key. The wake-up after sleep takes around 3 seconds.
Final Thought
The price may seem a little steep at £49 when compared to some of the other folding keyboards on the market but there is no compromise with the keys and size. This time, you really do get what you pay for.
As a full sized extremely portable foldable keyboard with great battery, I highly recommend the ProtoArc XK01 for anyone who travels or needs a full-sized keyboard away from the desk from time to time, and to be fair, I’d even recommend it for use in the office, in fact, I am sat at my desk writing this review with the ProtoArc XK01 and it has been an extremely seamless process. I have no regrets with this purchase and hope to use the ProtoArc XK01 for years to come.