ProtoArc XK01 TP review: a folding keyboard with built-in touchpad

Verdict: The ProtoArc XK01 TP is a portable input set for phone and tablet users who want keyboard typing and cursor control without packing a separate mouse. The Black model has an 88-key layout, integrated touchpad, phone stand and carry bag; its main compromise is that ProtoArc says the scroll direction cannot be changed. This source-based review covers Amazon US ASIN B0D3L4XFCQ; Protein Picks has not tested it. Exact ProtoArc XK01 TP product page ProtoArc touchpad FAQ

Pros

• An integrated touchpad means one less pointing accessory to pack.
• The 88-key layout keeps a full shortcut row and 16.5 mm keycaps.
• A phone stand, USB-C charging cable and carry bag are listed in the package.

Cons

• ProtoArc says the touchpad’s scroll direction cannot be changed.
• The 88-key design has no separate numeric keypad.
• Community reviewers report shallow key travel and limitations with some DeX shortcuts.

Does the touchpad make a travel keyboard more useful?

The touchpad is the reason to choose the XK01 TP. It can make a tablet or phone easier to navigate when there is no convenient space for a mouse, and ProtoArc documents multi-touch gestures and three Bluetooth channels. The tri-fold body measures 8.48 × 4.71 × 0.82 inches folded and weighs 10.5 ounces, so it is a compact kit rather than the smallest keyboard to carry. ProtoArc product details

The exact product page describes this Black model as an 88-key QWERTY keyboard with 16.5 mm keycaps. It does not have a full numeric keypad. A Samsung DeX community reviewer who disclosed receiving a free sample described the key travel as shallow but even and said the trackpad replaces the need to pack a mouse. That reviewer also warned that firmware-level gestures do not provide the default DeX shortcuts. Treat those as one reviewer’s observations, not a compatibility guarantee for every tablet or operating system. ProtoArc exact product page Samsung DeX community review

Can you change the scroll direction?

No, according to ProtoArc’s XK01 TP FAQ: the direction cannot be changed. A separate Legion Go community comparison also noted that it lacks the familiar “natural scrolling” direction and found the XK01 TP larger when folded than the other keyboards in that comparison. That post is one user’s comparison of three devices, but it supports treating cursor gestures as the important trial-before-committing feature. If you strongly prefer laptop-style scrolling, this is a good reason to skip it. ProtoArc XK01 TP FAQ Legion Go community comparison

What is included, and what is not?

ProtoArc lists the keyboard, USB-C charging cable, phone stand, PU leather carry bag and manual. A tablet appears in some product photos, but it is not on that package list and is not included. The bundled stand is labeled for a phone, so tablet support and stability should be checked for your particular device and setup. ProtoArc package contents ProtoArc user manual

Who should buy it, and who should skip it?

Buy the XK01 TP if avoiding a separate mouse matters more than having a numeric pad, and if you can live with its fixed scrolling behavior. Skip it if scroll direction, gestures or shortcuts must match your current operating system exactly. For a folding keyboard with a number pad, see the ProtoArc XK01 review; for a lighter, more compact two-fold option, see the ProtoArc XK04 review.

This analysis covers ProtoArc XK01 TP Black, Amazon US ASIN B0D3L4XFCQ. Retail listings can change; verify the selected Black XK01 TP, seller, and current terms at the retailer before buying. Amazon US destination