Microsoft Intros Strange Ergonomic Keyboard Bundle
Microsoft Hardware has quietly updated its website with an interesting new Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop keyboard. It takes last year's Sculpt Comfort Keyboard design to the next level by physically dividing the curved keyboard in half and connecting them together with the dual space bars and an elongated, cushioned palm rest.
"Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop is built on advanced ergonomic principles, with a split keyboard layout that keeps wrists and forearms in a relaxed position, and a cushioned palm rest to provide wrist support," reads the product description. "The domed keyboard shape works to reduce and correct wrist pronation that can cause pain and limited mobility."
Microsoft claims that the natural arc keyboard layout follows the curve of the user's fingertips for a more natural way of typing. Reverse tilt design supposedly positions the unique keyboard at the correct angle to provide users with a straight, neutral wrist position. It measures 15.3 inches across and 8.19 inches deep – the company doesn't provide an actual height from the bottom to its domed peak.
As with the previous Sculpt mechanical keyboard, the Sculpt Ergonomic allows users to configure the dual spacebars. Microsoft claims that 90 percent of people use only their right thumb to hit the spacebar while the backspace key is one of the most frequently used keys on a keyboard. That said, the left spacebar can be reconfigured to act as a backspace button instead. Don't like it? Simply revert it back to the spacebar function.
Microsoft's new Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop bundle also comes with a standalone number pad that for some reason Microsoft feels is better than having it connected to the keyboard. However given the way the hands are angled on the domed layout, perhaps a built-in keypad would have been awkward to access. Microsoft says the standalone design provides greater flexibility for workspace setup.
The new bundle even throws in an unusual mouse that only right-handed customers will love. It sports a shallow egg-like top and an actual thumb rest (aka thumb scoop) on the left so that users can easily touch the Windows 8 Start screen button without much effort. The two main buttons are shifted over to the right along with the 4-way scroll wheel mounted between them. It's definitely not a mouse designed for lefties.
"Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop is designed for productivity, with an eye on ergonomic excellence," the company states. "By providing a relaxed, comfortable computing experience, it enables you to work without the stress, strain, and discomfort of other keyboards and mice you may have used in the past."
For more information about Microsoft's new Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop bundle, head here. The whole package costs $129.95 USD.

I'd take one (just the keyboard), with a trackball mouse and mechanical num pad. Just hide it from sight.
2. Funny that it costs the same as the Touch/Type covers.
If both are yes, it will be in the shopping cart today.
@ojas: Why is that funny?
People file the letters off these keyboards, so I don't think LEDs will be popular... Look at that Das Keyboard thing.
Just my 2cents
Just my 2cents
I like ergonomic keyboards. Whether or not they are "better" health wise is irrelevant to me, I find them more comfortable. I don't like split designs like this though because I like to use my left hand for b.
It appears the "b" is on the left side of the keyboard. There are 5 keys to the right of the shift, and that is where the "b" goes. It shouldn't be a problem if you type the "b" with the left hand as we are usually taught when typing.
Ergonomic keyboards aren't snake oil in the slightest. The only way they make no difference is if you type with *proper* hand posture where your hands float above the keys and your wrists curve down, not up. Nobody has typed like that since typewriters went by the wayside.
Fact is they keep the tendons in line which reduces the amount of force needed to type. It makes you faster (I clock 140wpm with raw text), it makes less stress on your tendons. I'm not sure how you can look at your hands on a ergonomic board vs a normal board and not see the mechanics in plain view.
I love ergonomics at work, and use a traditional at home for gaming. I'll give it to Microsoft. Hate on em if you want but they make badass keyboards and mice that are reliable.
Personally I'd only be interested in it if it used USB. Wireless response time is too slow for gaming. I also hate to waste batteries.
I'd also like it without the mouse. In my opinion Microsoft Keyboards and Logitech Mice are the ultimate combo.
Just my 2cents
Yeah so I type 40 hours a week and my pinky and thumb had a tingling and numbest progressing and getting worse. Work sent me through $4000 physical therapy which yielded nothing.....I spent $40 at New Egg on one of the older Microsoft egro models and the issue cleared up within a month.
These keyboards absolutely help.
I would total love a back lit gaming version of this I would gladly replace my home keyboard for it.
It was Ok.
I also suggested Mircosoft should be moving more towards hardware in a paper on Business at Uni in 1999.
They are sluggish.
I did find that the NMM Keyboard helped me learn touch-typing easier.
If it was up to me I would have got MS to design a keyboard which has LEDs under the keys and you can change the entire layout of the board with the flick of a switch to a different QWERTY layout. To test all the different system layouts for whichever suits you. It would have suited those of us who have PC`s that need two systems of input.
e.g. My wife uses Japanese Kanji, Japanese Hiragana and Japanese Katakana (and Romanji).
One Keyboard for all countries.
Dial in an input.