What They Say
A Kickstarter project by Shenzen Pengling Zhichuang Technology, a new company, has started to create a keyboard with an integrated 12.6″ touchscreen with 1920 x 515 resolution. The keyboard can connect to Windows, macOS or Android systems and can operate as a second display and input system. It has two USB ports and connects to a host system via USB Type-C and can also act as a USB hub. The keyboard is available in ‘scissor switch’ or mechanical switches and has RGB LED backlighting. Optional DIY keycaps are available.
The MSRP is $379 (scissor) and the Kickstarter offer is $209 with delivery in August 2021.
What We Think
Keyboards with integrated displays have been around for nearly 40 years, so it’s not a new idea, although usually the systems I have seen have smaller displays. Of course, there are also notebooks these days with displays on the keyboard side of the system. When integrated into the notebook, of course, the secondary display can be well integrated, which is great. However, for add-ons, especially with Android, the integration is not trivial and apps don’t work so well. That has been a barrier (and a killer) of several of these projects. Even Samsung’s Dex is not perfect, I have read, despite that company’s resources.
So, I’m unconvinced that this kind of add-on can have a significant market opportunity.
Still, the firm had reached over $200,000 in pledges when I wrote this, with 21 days to go. (BR)
