As Palm Pilots and similar devices get more and more popular, one problem continues to bedevil their users: It’s a major pain to write and input data using a Stylus.

To the rescue are a pair of companies making portable keyboards, lightweight devices that can be connected to Palm organizers. In February, Solana Beach-based Think Outside debuted its compact Stowaway Portable Keyboard that folds into quarters and slips in a leather case for handy placement in a pocket. At 7.9 ounces, the new device is even lighter than its major competition: the Go Type made by LandWare.

The goal of the accessory is mobile productivity: type e-mail, take notes at a meeting and schedule events whether you’re in the office or a hotel suite, or idling during an airport layover. With Internet access available on the Palm VII, the handheld is turning into a device that can do nearly as much as a laptop without the price tag or the heft.

“With Palm entering Internet access, this seems like a natural companion to a Palm’s applications,” said George Gerwe, Think Outside’s vice president of sales and marketing.

No batteries for the keyboard are required; it pulls power from the Palm’s batteries.

The devices, which retail for $99, have already received favorable customer response.

“It’s quite a good item. They’re quite popular since they make writing a lot faster and easier for people,” said Rex Berry, a manager at Staples in Studio City.

Still, some analysts predict that it will be hard to change the habits of Palm veterans.

“It’s a nice accessory, but I don’t see a majority of users rushing out to get one,” said Steven Koenig, senior hardware analyst at PC Data. “Sure, quite a few will, but most Palm users are doing just fine without a keyboard.”

Nola Sarkisian-Miller