Re: . . . so, the keyboard actually works? Message #15 Posted by Norris on 14 Feb 2005, 1:31 p.m., in response to message #14 by Paul Brogger
The keyboard on my 6S Solar works reliably, but I have to admit that it feels weird. It is adequate, but definitely not my favorite part of the design.
The buttons on the lower part of the keyboard (digits, basic functions) don't want to go straight down when pushed. Instead, they want to slant downwards to one side. But they are inconsistent: the same button will slant downwards towards the left, right, top, or bottom of the calculator, depending on which part of the button your finger happens to touch. So every keypress feels different, which is weird. This effect is much less noticeable with the smaller keys on the upper part of the keyboard (scientific functions).
Once the button does slant downwards (in whichever direction), something clicks and it registers reliably. So I have no problem with missed keystrokes. The functionality is there, it's just the aesthetics that are lacking. The keyboard simply feels weird.
Speaking of aesthetics, one might also question the need for the six different key colors of the 6S Solar (black, dark grey, light grey, purple, green and red). Surely this a record for HP calculators. However, the labels are all legible, at least on the silver 6S Solar (possibly not on the blue 6S). So again, the functionality is there, even if the aesthetics are lacking.
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