Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard Designed For The Palm Of Your Hand, Literally

Microsoft’s Sculpt keyboard features a curved design, allowing users to rest hands on the bottom of the keyboard without being uncomfortable.

Microsoft looks like it’s building a comfortable keyboard: here’s what’s new

Microsoft’s recent blog post talks and picture its Scuplt keyboard, a curve keyboard design for functionality and comfort. The keyboard features the Contour Curve designed.

The blog post, by Brandon LeBlanc, says the keyboard is used for e-mail, blog posts, and tweets. Described as feature advanced ergonomics, the keyboard’s Contour Curve design covers two things: a six-degree bend in the keyboard layout and what’s describe as a dome-shaped arc for comfort when typing. A palm rest is removable to reduce the keyboard’s size. The overall design means wrists are kept at a neutral position

Interestingly Microsoft halves the size of the spacebar to accommodate backspace functionality. Apparently 90 percent of people use the right thumb to press the spacebar, traditionally dedicated to the bottom-center of the keyboard.

Looking Forward To Windows 8

Naturally the keyboard supports Windows 8; function key for Search, Share, Device, and Settings charms. Keys for switching between apps, snapping apps (putting two side-by-side), bringing up the app bar, and switching apps.

The keyboard seems like an interesting accessory, and probably better then what PC manufacturers bundle in. If membrane keys aren’t wanted, however, mechanical keyboards are a worthy if more expensive yet worthy consideration. The blog post references typists, and the keyboard being ideal for the market, but mechanical keyboards require weaker button pressure and therefore are better for typists (better meaning more comfortable in the long-term).

Microsoft Sculpt Keyboard will be available in Microsoft’s store soon for $59.99 in the U.S. Windows 8 launches October 26.