The ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard is ready to make your business trips more productive. It’s full size, with a numpad and function keys, too. But it folds down to fit easily in a briefcase.
It’s available solo, or with a travel mouse, or as the centerpiece of a bundle with the mouse plus a USB-C hub and multi-port wall charger.
I fully tested the folding keyboard with my 13-inch iPad Pro, plus the other components, too.
ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard review
No matter what type of computer you use, there are advantages to external accessories.
Notebooks put the keyboard next to the screen, forcing user to hunch over to properly see the display. Much better ergonomics result from lifting the screen up and typing on an external keyboard. And tapping on a tablet’s on-screen keyboard isn’t practical for more than a few paragraphs. A physical one is what you want.
That’s especially true if your job includes entering loads of numbers. You need a numpad.
The ProtoArc XK01 is well suited for either MacBook or iPad users who need to type in plenty of words and/or numbers.
Table of contents:
- Full-size keyboard that folds to travel size
- Add a travel mouse
- Consider the ProtoArc XKM01 LX bundle
- ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard final thoughts
- Pricing
Full-size keyboard that folds to travel size
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The XK01 starts out as a block that measures 8.4 inches by 4.6 inches by 0.7 inches, and weighs 0.7 pounds. That’s small enough to fit easily in a bag… especially when you consider what’s inside the package.
Swing open the two sides to reveal a full-size keyboard. It spans 14.4 inches wide — far wider than a MacBook keyboard — including that numpad I keep mentioning.
I’ve tested plenty of travel keyboards but I can’t remember the last one that had the dedicated set of numbers and calculator buttons that accountants and other numberjockeys depend on. It’s the standout feature of the keyboard.
Plus there are all the function keys one expects on a full-size keyboard. And the XK01 travel keyboard boasts a row of handy function keys for controlling music playback, adjusting your computer screen’s backlights, etc.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Keys measure the usual 0.6 inches square with 0.15 inches of separation. They use a scissor mechanism, and key travel is about what I expect for a notebook keyboard — not great, but decent. I have no problem touch typing.
That said, ProtoArc didn’t build in any extra space. All the keys fit tightly together. As I said, there’s decent key separation, but don’t expect the numpad to sit off by itself. That took some getting used to.
But the only major compliant I have with the accessory is that it lacks key backlights. It comes in a range of colors — black, grey and silver — with the keys in the same color so you can choose which option you find easier to see.
The ProtoArc XK01 connects to your computers via Bluetooth. And it can be paired with three of them, and switch between them at the press if a button. It’s a handy feature in a travel keyboard. I paired it with my iPhone, too.
Add a travel mouse
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
When using an external keyboard, a mouse is a better option than either your notebook’s trackpad or your tablet’s touchscreen. ProtoArc offers a bundle that includes the XKM01 folding keyboard and a travel mouse.
The mouse measures 4.25 inches, by 2.3 inches by 0.9 inches, and a mere 0.15 pounds. That makes it travel friendly without the accessory shrinking to the point it’s hard to use. The edges could be more comfortable to hold, but I used ProtoArc’s mouse for days and am quite satisfied with it.
It can pair with two computers via Bluetooth, or use a 2.4GHz USB-A dongle. Either option works, though I found the range on the dongle to be short.
When purchased with the mouse, ProtoArc’s keyboard gets a slight modification and product number change. This verison communicates via the same 2.4GHz USB-A dongle as the mouse, or it can pair to two computers via Bluetooth.
The keyboard and mouse combo comes with a carrying case.
Consider the ProtoArc XKM01 LX bundle
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Those who want to go all in can opt for the XKM01 LX bundle. It includes the keyboard, mouse and case, then adds a multi-port USB-C hub, USB-C wall charger and a cable to connect them.
I’ve never used a notebook or a tablet that I thought had enough ports, so a hub is always welcome. ProtoArc’s focuses on legacy accessories — it includes a pair of USB-A ports, an HDMI port, SD and micro-SD card readers, and a single USB-C one for charging your computer.
Speaking of which, the wall charger is capable of putting out 65W. It includes two USB-C ports that can put out a maximum of 45W, and a USB-A one that tops out at 18W.
I put the ProtoArc XKM01 LX bundle through real-world testing. I connected all its these accessories to my iPad Pro and went to work. And they did the job.
I used the keyboard via Bluetooth and 2.4GHz, and the mouse too. I connected an external display to the HDMI port on the hub, and powered my computer through the hub, too. Both the tablet and the external screen got their power from the wall charger. Everything performed exactly as expected.
The bundle comes with a black, zippered, clamshell case that’s larger than it needs to be to hold these accessories. If you want to put additional gear in it, cool. If not, leave it at home.
ProtoArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard final thoughts
The phrase “digital nomad” is more than a little pretentious, but as someone who’s worked remotely for 25 years, I’ve used a huge number of travel keyboards everywhere from beach houses, a riverboat on the Rhine, a bungalow in Thailand and many more locations. This one from ProtoArc stands out as the only one I can remember with a numpad. If you need to enter lots of numbers on your trip, it’s the way to go.
As for the ProtoArc XKM01 LX bundle, it’s a kit well designed for an iPad user ready to get a lot done on a business trip.
★★★★☆
Pricing
The ProArc XK01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard costs $44.99 — quite a nice price for a well-designed and well-made accessory. And Amazon currently offers a deal.
The XKM01 Tri-Fold Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse Combo is $79.99, though both ProArc and Amazon offer deals that lower the rice.
As for the full XKM01 LX bundle keyboard, it sells for $129.99. Though, again, special deals lower the price.
ProtoArc provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
