Incase announces new Compact Ergonomic Keyboard

Incase announces the Compact Ergonomic Keyboard, designed, but unreleased, by Microsoft.

Incase has finally announced a new compact ergonomic keyboard, suitably named the "Compact Ergonomic Keyboard". It was originally designed by Microsoft, but wasn't released before they announced that they were going to pull out of the productivity hardware space.

At first glance, the layout looks very similar to the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard. On closer inspection, it looks like the new Compact keyboard loses dedicated home, end, page up, and page down keys, being relocated to the F9 to F12 keys respectively. It seems to lose other keys, such as Print Screen, Scroll Lock, and Insert. Whether these keys can be accessed through multiple key presses remains to be seen.

Incase says that key travel is 1.3 mm using scissor switches, which is shallower than the Sculpt which offers a thunkier 2.3 mm. In comparison, the Apple Magic Keyboard also offers ~1.3 mm of travel, so we'll need to see if they end up feeling the same, and whether the Compact offers users sufficient tactile feel compared to its older sibling.

In a positive step, it looks like Microsoft has continued to leave out the number pad, which means it's easier to centre the keyboard on a desk. Compared to the older Sculpt, the Compact Keyboard also loses the middle curved hole which gives the Sculpt its distinctive look.

The new ergonomic keyboard also takes a step forward and now supports Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to connect up to 3 devices. The Sculpt's weakness was its reliance on a dedicated USB dongle, which was permanently paired to your keyboard. If lost, it rendered the device unusable.

We can only assume that the new Compact Keyboard allows negative tenting. I would be very surprised if they removed it from this version.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft has chosen to power this using AAA batteries to offer up to 36 months of typing. This can be a good thing, as it means topping up simply involves a quick trip to a convenience store.

It looks like it will cost USD 119, which is ~USD 20 more expensive than the existing Sculpt Keyboard. Its direct mainstream competitors are the Logitech Ergo K860 Ergonomic Keyboard (USD 129, includes number pad), the Lenovo Go Wireless Split Keyboard (USD 65-100, no number pad), and of course the older Microsoft/Incase Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard (USD 100).

Incase says it should be available in "early 2025", which judging from their track record so far, could mean anything from January to July 2025.

Let's see if this is a worth contender to replace the Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard!