Kinesis Form Keyboard
Kinesis Form Keyboard
Kinesis Form Keyboard came out around 2024-05.
model name: KB-100W
85 keys
Feature Summary
- Bluetooth wireless. Connect up to 2 devices.
- Can be use as USB wired. (bluetooth support not required)
- A multi-touch precision trackpad. Support gestures in Microsoft Windows.
- Mechanical key switches, low-profile, linear switch. 50g activation force.
- White Backlight.
- Plug and play. No driver required.
- Weight: 0.9 kg.
- Dimensions: 16.0″ (width) x 5.25″ (depth) x 0.75″ (height), Touchpad: 2.5″ x 4.5″
- ABS keycaps with shine-through laser legends.
- Keys are not programable.
Marketing Blurb
- Entry-Level Ergonomics: Familiar laptop layout is split to put your hands and arms in proper typing form
- Integrated Touchpad: Point, Click, and Scroll with either hand using the Windows Precision Touchpad
- Mechanical: Low Profile mechanical switches offer unmatched typing feel, durability and ergonomics
- 100% Aluminum: Anodized, machined aluminum case provides a striking design and incredible strength
- Connectivity: Dual-Channel Bluetooth and USB-C let you pair with variety of devices (PC, Tablet, SmartPhone, SmartTV)
Unboxing Video
Quick Start
Just plug it in, and the keyboard is ready to go.
When plugged in, bluetooth is ignored.
Bluetooth LED Light
- LED light indicator at lower-right corner of trackpad.
- Color coded and flash speed coded.
- white → bluetooth on, Profile 1 (White).
- blue → bluetooth on, Profile 2 (Blue).
- green → USB Wired Mode. Bluetooth off.
- Rapid Flash → bluetooth pairing mode.
- Slow Flash → unable to find paired device. (press Fn+F11 to reset.)
- Off → paired and connected.
- Green → USB wired mode.
Bluetooth Connection
- Unplug the USB cable.
- At left-hand-side of keyboard, at the back, move the switch to the right to turn bluetooth on.
- At right-hand-side of keyboard, at the back, move the switch left to switch to bluetooth profile 1 “white”, or move to right to switch to profile 2 “blue”.
- On the lower-right corner of trackpad, a bluetooth LED will fash quickly. (it has color white or blue, indicating the current profile.)
- Go to your operating system bluetooth pairing page, select the device named Form.
Reset Bluetooth Profiles
press Fn+F11
Reference
USB Port
one USB-C port at the back.
Bluetooth Switches
Two switches at the back.
The one on the left-hand-side of keyboard is bluetooth power switch. Move it towards the center to turn on.
The one on the right-hand-side of keyboard is bluetooth profile switch. (two profiles for connecting two devices.).
Battery
battery is 2100 mAh lithium-ion battery
it should last several months before recharge.
Battery Level Status
press Fn+F12 to turn on status.
status is shown by the bluetooth LED, color coded.
- green → above 80%
- yellow → above 50%
- orange → above 20%
- red → less than 20%
Charging Battery
Just connect it to computer.
Do not connect directly to a charger. Because the charger may output more voltage and damage the keyboard.
Key Switch
- Gateron KS-33 Low Profile Mechanical Switches (Linear Red, 50g activation force.)
The Multi-Touch Touchpad (Trackpad)
Superb quality. Very comfortable to touch.
Note: it does not have a physical button, cannot be pressed down. All operations are by touch only.
Trackpad Gestures on Microsoft Windows
Touchpad Bluetooth Delay Issue
When connected via bluetooth, on Microsoft Windows, sometimes has like 1 second delay, making it unusable.
To fix that, turn off and back on the bluetooth on Microsoft Windows.
Am not sure if this is a common problem with bluetooth multi-touch trackpad.
I have not tried on the Mac yet.
On Apple Mac Computer
Apple does not support multi-finger gesture on non-Apple trackpad.
for Mac, you should install the firmware for the Mac at the company's website.
because:
- To swap the position of ❖ Windows and Alt to ⌥ option and ⌘ command
- Set the multi-touch trackpad for Mac for optimal operation.
Backlight
white backlight. 4 levels of brightness.
- Fn+F7 → decrease brightness
- Fn+F8 → increase brightness
press Fn+F7 4 times to turn off.
Thin Profile
Left Side, Right Side
More Photos
Back
Very clean design. No legs
What is in the Box
- Keyboard
- USB-A to USB-C cable. (2 meters long)
- Keycap puller
- Extra keycaps for Mac
Box
Conclusion
Good Points
- The built quality is excellent.
- Beautiful design. Simple. And one piece.
- Great mechanical key switch.
Bad Points
- The Multi-touch touchpad sometimes have delay with used on Microsoft Windows.
- On MacOS, does not support the multi-touch gestures, due to Apple's restriction.