Not complaining, just explaining – writers need good keyboards – occasionally we get new keyboards. Let me tell you a little bit of how we got to here. First and foremost – I’ve been typing at 60WPM or better for 35+ years. That level of repetitive stress has left my wrists and fingers, shall we say, in desperate need of comfort. Fifteen years ago, I started experimenting with different keyboard shapes to see what worked best.
First and foremost, the Microsoft Ergo Wireless 3000 was a banger of a keyboard – sturdy, comfortable, and made for late-night writing jags. Hunter S Thompson liked an IBM Selectric because it could type as fast as he thought; I loved the MSFT Ergo Wireless for the same reason. Later, MSFT decided in their infinite wisdom to decommission the Ergo Wireless 3000 and go with the Sculpt. Different shape, different format, but hey – it was still the best ergo keyboard on the market and it worked for me.
I’m not saying Sculpts are indestructable – the way I use a keyboard, I’ll go through one every 18-24 months. Carpenters need new sawblades, writers need new keyboards. Makes sense, right? Then, disaster struck …
Microsoft stopped making the Sculpt! For reasons I’ll never completely understand, MSFT decided to chuck the Ergo Wireless 3000 AND the Sculpt – with no intended solution. For months, I looked at alternative keyboards and resources while nursing along my ailing Sculpt. Incase was rumored to have ‘bought the Sculpt license’ – whatever that meant. I should expect the chance to buy a NEW Sculpt keyboard in February 2025!
Cue the Spongebob Card: “Three Months Later …”
I was rage-refreshing the Incase product page for the Sculpt when I noticed a new option: Pre-order! Really, pre-order? They said ‘pre-order this keyboard and it’ll be shipped in 6-10 business days.’ That was 8-12 business days ago. The keyboard arrived this afternoon and it fired right up as soon as I plugged the USB dongle in. Pure, typing, silk. Booyah!
Not that this matters to anyone more than me and my old-guy wrists but it feels pretty dog-gone good to type on something and not hurt. Thanks to Incase for taking pity on me, I’ll be writing the next story on this keyboard. Writers need new keyboards and this one feels great.
