A flexible keyboard is great for any type of shop, outdoor or hospital environment. They are also useful for the business traveler, being much easier to roll up and tote around than a regular keyboard. While you will never reach the typing speeds you can reach on a standard keyboard, there are other benefits. Most flexible keyboards, whether full-sized or mini, include features like being water-resistant, and dust and contaminant proof. They are easily cleaned, unlike a regular keyboard.

If these features perk your interest, use the resources below to learn more about flexible keyboard pricing and costs:

1. Pick up a mini flexible keyboard if space is of the essence.
2. Order a full size flexible keyboard for maximum utility.
3. Supplement your flexible keyboard with a flexible numeric keypad.
   

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Consider buying a mini flexible keyboard if space is at a premium

A mini flexible keyboard can cost anywhere from $3 to $90, depending on the features you are interested in. Higher end keyboards may come with wireless capability or a bundled mouse. Cheap keyboards that will work in a pinch are available for purchase on eBay--prices start at $2.50!

I recommend: ComputerLogin sells a basic mini silicone keyboard for about $8. This keyboard is acid and alkaline resistant, and comes with a USB to PS/2 adapter. You can pick up a wireless mini flexible keyboard from SourcingMap for just under $60. The keyboard comes with a wireless adapter, and has a transmission distance of about 30 feet.

Purchase a full size flexible keyboard for the best of both worlds

If you want the benefits of the waterproof, dustproof flexible keyboard but don't want to hunt and peck or fumble around with a miniature flexible keyboard, purchase the full size version. Full size versions come with a numeric keypad, and are great if space isn't the most important factor.

I recommend: You can order a full size flexible keyboard from IOFAST for about $11. UpgradeNation sells the full size Tripp Lite flexible keyboard for about $40. WETKEYS offers a full size 126-key wireless flexible keyboard for about $60.

Order a portable numeric keypad to supplement your flexible keyboard

A mini flexible keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad. Numeric keypads are a much faster way to enter numbers! If you are constantly crunching numbers, it is worth it to pick up a portable keypad. You can find travel-friendly flexible numeric keypads for between $8 and $40.

I recommend: Pick up a 33-key flexible numeric keypad from Chinavasion for just under $8. B & H has the 18-key Adesso waterproof keyboard for under $25. Opentip.com offers a 23-key version of the numeric keypad for about $11.

The flexible keyboard has made its debut as a super-portable computer accessory that replaces the bulky plastic board for users chronically on the go. Manufacturers have found out how to wire a complete keyboard so that the actual unit can be bent, folded and even rolled up for the long haul.

You can find a range of flexible keyboard options for getting this new technology into your roving work setup. Business managers might look for flexible keyboard information:

1. To provide as a service to a busy executive who needs a flexible keyboard to travel light, by car, train or airplane.

2. For a staff whose work often consists of field interviews or research.

3. For high-traffic area where public workstations sometimes take a beating.

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Find flexible keyboard buys from huge e-commerce sites

One of the first places you can start looking for these popular floppy keyboards is in the nation's top e-vending sites, where anything and everything is on hand at competitive prices. Use these sites as a reference to see what's on the market and how much it generally costs.

I recommend: Giant e-tailer Buy.com has Tripp Lite Wireless Multimedia flexible keyboards and other similar models marked down to prices you can afford for outfitting roving workstations. From the Electronics section of Amazon.com, you'll find small keyboards you can roll up at equally small prices.

Locate flexible keyboard models on specialized sites

Other sales sites are more tailored to the specific type of technology you're looking for. Surf these sites to see what kind of keyboard offers you can get from a shop that focuses on computer accessories.

I recommend: Try the flexible keyboard models at USB Geek for a foray into all things USB. At GizFever, a gift electronics site, you can find flexible keyboard models with great features and portability for use anywhere.

Look for bulk deals on a flexible keyboard

If you're outfitting an office, chances are you want more than one of these trendy new accessories. Some online dealers give you more for your dollar when you buy several flexible keyboard units at once.

I recommend: The site at Ergobilities offers a durable, temperature-resistant and easy-clean flex keyboard with up to 20% discounted on bulk orders. Find more bulk deals on keyboards and other accessories at Deal Extreme, another flexible keyboard provider where business clients buy large for offices.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're buying from a flexible keyboard directory or flexible keyboard list on a site offering a lot of different models, keep product specs handy, in case partners want to know not just whether you made the purchase, but what you actually bought. Size, durability and color are details you want to note for your records.

A flexible keyboard is a type of computer keyboard that is made from flexible materials in order to provide users with a more durable device. Many flexible keyboards are waterproof as well, which can help protect the keyboard from any sort of moisture damage.

When you look at flexible keyboard types and styles, you are going to focus on the differences between each model. For example, some types are USB enabled while other use interfaces such as PS/2.

1. Find flexible keyboard manufacturers. Since this product is fairly new, you will not have to sort through a long list of suppliers.

2. Determine the type of flexible keyboard that you want. Options include mini versions, USB models and wireless keyboards.

3. Look at the technical specifications of each flexible keyboard. Compare the sizes, system requirements and connections.

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Decide between a mini and a full size flexible keyboard

One of the main two choices when it comes to flexible keyboards is whether you should get a mini or full size version. Typically, mini versions will only have 85 keys while full size versions contain 109. The physical size of the two types will differ as well.

I recommend: PacificGeek.com retails a mini version of a flexible keyboard. Since you will likely transport the keyboard often, a smaller type may prove to be more convenient. The ultra convenient mini flexible keyboard from Fentek Industries is a plug and play device, which means you will not have to install any software to start using it.

View USB flexible keyboard options

USB keyboards are simple to use since USB connections make it easy to plug the keyboard into several different types of devices. Many USB flexible keyboards will also come in full size and mini versions.

I recommend: USB Geek retails a low priced USB flexible keyboard manufactured from silicone. Connect to a USB port for operation and when you are done, you can easily roll it up and transport it anywhere. Tripp Lite manufactures a similar version and can also be rolled up, washed and dusted with ease. This keyboard retails through PC Connection and also has an adapter to change the connection to PS/2.

Check out other flexible keyboard types and styles

Besides USB, PS/2 and full size versions, you can look at additional types available of flexible keyboards. Additional styles that you will find are wireless models as well as flexible keyboards that glow in the dark.

I recommend: The wired flexible keyboard from Grandtec has the unique feature of glowing in the dark. You are able to control the illumination and decide when to turn the option on and off. Purchase and look at specification of this model on TheNerds.net. Next Warehouse has information on the wireless flexible keyboard from Tripp Lite. There are very few wireless flexible keyboards currently on the market.

Flexible keyboards have many benefits, including ease of portability and storage. Keyboards are one of the items in an office that is most likely to collect germs, so it's a great benefit to be able to wash a flexible keyboard. Being impervious to dust makes them safe from another of the enemies of traditional keyboards.

Most flexible keyboards are USB keyboards that work with laptops and other portable devices which don't have PS/2 ports. Many of them come with USB-PS/2 adapters in case you want to use them with a computer that has a PS/2 port.

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Silicone

Silicone is a man-made substance that looks like rubber. It can be translucent or opaque, is resistant to water and heat and is strong and durable. You can fold or roll up flexible keyboards made of silicone for easy storage.

I recommend: Find a description of a flexible keyboard made of silicone at CrunchGear, one of the blogs at the TechCrunch website.

Waterproof

Waterproof means that water can't damage the keyboard. But a waterproof keyboard has additional benefits. If it's waterproof, it's also easy to clean. This means you can keep it clean and hygienic.

I recommend: See an example of a waterproof flexible keyboard at Hela.

Tactile

Tactile refers to sensing by your sense of touch. Features of a tactile keyboard make it easy for a person to type, to feel the individual keys, to know for sure when you've pressed a key and to help ensure you don't accidentally type a letter more than once. It can also help you not to press keys when you don't intend to.

I recommend: At Reviews by TechnoTalks.com, you can read a review of a flexible keyboard that discusses the benefit of being tactile.

Translucent

Translucent refers to how much light passes through an item. It's between opaque, where no light comes through at all, and clear, where light passes through cleanly like glass. Translucent keyboards let some light and image perception pass through, but not clearly. There is no real functional benefit to a translucent keyboard, but it has an attractive and unusual look to it.

I recommend: Check out a review of a flexible, translucent keyboard at Gizmodiva.com.

USB connector

You can use USB connectors for many computer accessories, and your computer probably has several USB ports to plug them into. USB keyboards are the best choice if you want to hook up a keyboard to a laptop or other portable device.

I recommend: Find a review of a flexible, USB keyboard at the WWW Blog.

PS/2 connector

Older computers and many current desktop computers come with PS/2 connectors, a rounded connector with a series of pins inside that connects to a PS/2 port on the back of a computer. Some newer computers and most desktop computers don't have PS/2 ports. Many USB keyboards come with adapters, so they will work with a PS/2 port. You can also purchase an adapter separately.

I recommend: At the PC Guides, you can see illustrations of PS/2 connectors and an explanation of what they are.