Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard
Microsoft has a new keyboard, a Batman Keyboard. Amazing. This came out in 2013.
At night lying on bed in heat of political argument, i started to plug-in my mechanical switch keyboard, then wife woke: “what the fuck are you doing?” So, am reviving the wireless rubber dome sculpt. Avoiding the wrath of wife.
Total Key Count: 88 keys on the main board and 20 keys on the separate number pad.
Main features:
- USB wireless
- Separate numerical keypad.
- 2 AAA batteries in the keyboard. 1 3V 270mAh battery in numberical keypad.
- AES Encryption for wireless transmission. Safe from a well-known hack called KeySweeper. [see KeySweeper, Sniff Passwords from Wireless Keyboard]
- Each keyboard has a different encryption key. So, the usb dongle is not replaceable. Don't lose it.
Ergonomic Design Features
Interesting points:
- Keys split into 2 groups. Saves your wrists from bending.
- Large Alt and Ctrl keys. Great for Emacs.
- The Alt is positioned under the thumb (between x and c). So, simple thumb curl can easily press it.
- The left Alt and right Alt are symmetrically positioned. That is, their distance to f and j are the same. This means, the right side of modifier are also easily usable without moving your hand.
- Split space bar. This solves a major problem of the previous model the Microsoft Natural 4000, which got a stiff spacebar.
- Thin profile.
- The number pad is now separate. Excellent. This makes the keyboard smaller, yet number pad is still available.
Typing Experience
The ergonomic design is great, but the key feel is much inferior to mechanical switches. [see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms] It's too stiff for my liking, requiring about 70g force to press.
Also, the Escape key, and all the function key row F1 to F12, are super stiff. More stiff than the letter keys.
I do not recommend this keyboard if you need to type a lot. [How Many Words Do You Type a Day?]
Detachable Front Tilt Bar
Video Review
clips from Xah Talk Show 2020-12-02 emacs Sentence Lines, my RSI, Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard, Function Keys
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Mouse 6000
this mouse is sometimes bundled. You can buy it separately.
Bluetooth
For bluetooth version, see
