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Laptops are the new normal in today’s working world. PCs, especially desktops, are kept for high-powered machines or other reasons that may need to stay. Most of today’s workers, especially remote workers, operate from a laptop. And, while laptops are great, they do not promote the best ergonomics on their own; that’s where ProtoArc chose to step in and create an all-in-one combo pack that can help with the ergonomics and functionality of laptop users on the go.
This combo pack includes a carrying case, a laptop stand, a folding keyboard, and a mouse. Each piece is good, nothing outstanding, but they are all good. What makes this pack special, though, is the bundle into a single carrying case, providing an easy-to-use solution for those who want a mouse and keyboard on the go or don’t want to stare down at their laptop all day long.
ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp: Pricing and Availability
You can grab this setup from ProtoArc’s website by clicking here, where it’s priced between $80 to $100 (or £55 to £68). It’ also widely available from online retailers like Amazon.
ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp: Unboxing & first impressions
The keyboard and mouse feel sturdy despite their lightweight design. Additionally, the carrying case adds a nice and easy way to protect the gear when moving or tossed into a bag.
I was able to quickly and easily get up and running with this setup; no instructions are necessary, though some guides are included. I paired the mouse and keyboard to my MacBook and my iPad Mini, and I have the dongle accessible so I can plug it into any of the computers I am testing at the time.
Right away, I was mesmerized by the tri-fold keyboard, wanting to see how it could be so smooth; once I looked at it for a while, I started fiddling with the stand and the mouse, appreciating how compact and minimalist they all were.
ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Keyboard
Folded Dimensions: 8.48 x 4.71 x 0.82 inches
Expanded Dimensions: 15.21 x 4.71 x 0.49 inches
Mouse
Dimensions: 0.92 x 2.32 x 4.25 inches
ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp: In use
This portable productivity kit has been with my team for 173 days. We have gotten a good amount of testing in. Over that time, it has become a staple in one of my team member’s arsenal of focus and daily work. So much so that when I want to use it myself, I have to convince him not to use it for a bit so I can get some work done with it.
The best part about this combo is that each part can be used by itself, or you can use the combo. That becomes essential for how I use this gear in a moment. As a whole kit, it genuinely transforms whatever laptop into a more ergonomic, full-keyboard, external mouse setup, all with the ability to collapse back down to a backpack setup. Especially if you already have a larger laptop, this could be all you need to take your productivity to the next level.
If you have a portable screen with you or a tablet, like an iPad that you use in sidecar, you could prop your laptop up at the highest angle, put your tablet or portable screen on your laptop’s keyboard, and then use the ProtoArc keyboard as your keyboard, creating a dual-screen, stacked setup all without expensive or hefty equipment that would slow you down. In short, adding this combo to your workflow can enhance your productivity with very little extra gear in your bag.
The keyboard is comfortable; it’s not fancy mechanical, but it is easy to type on, even for extended periods. Impressively, it also has a full numpad, making it stand out even among most laptop keyboards. If you’re working remotely and inputting many numbers, having a true numpad may be an absolute game-changer for you.
The mouse is decent. If you are used to an MX Master 3 or some other high-end mouse, this is not that; it is a good basic mouse with good tracking and basic ergonomics.
The last use case that I didn’t even think of at first until I was working on my iPad to finish up this review is that I could use the stand to prop up my iPad (regardless of the model) and then use the mouse and keyboard paired to the iPad making a full-on productivity set up out of a slab of glass and this combo.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Great compact design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Practicality | Great for most | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | Priced well for the product | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp: Final verdict
The ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp is a well-designed and well-thought-out combo to enhance productivity. Whether you’re a commuter trying to fit in every ounce of productivity, you can, or if you are a remote worker trying to make an efficient setup in a cafe on the coast of some tropical island, the ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp can help you get there.
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