Keyboards that conceal full computer systems are not a novel concept. Think of the Commodore 64, for example, though it’s far from the only instance. Likewise, folding keyboards for mobile devices have been around since the days of the Palm Pilot.
However, advancements in mobile technology and portable power have enabled one innovative gadget maker to merge these two ideas into one device.
Introducing the Ling Long keyboard, which at first glance resembles any of the numerous Bluetooth folding keyboards available on Amazon. But this one has an impressive secret: beneath its sleek keys lies a remarkably compact, full-fledged Windows system.
We’re not talking about a basic Arm or Atom system here. The Ling Long keyboard boasts a Ryzen 7 8840 APU, up to 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of M.2 storage—specs comparable to a mid-range laptop.
In addition to this, the keyboard features an internal battery, a speaker, and a small touchpad to the right of the space bar. You can connect it to a portable monitor for complete untethered functionality or use a USB-C dock (or a USB-C monitor with similar capabilities) to transform it into a full desktop machine.
According to the company’s promotional materials, it can run for ten hours, though the actual battery life will depend on usage. Running a portable monitor alongside tasks that activate the cooling system will undoubtedly reduce this time.
It’s an intriguing concept, and given the specs and the engineering of the folding mechanism, the starting price of 3000 yuan (about $412 USD) is quite reasonable.
That said, it’s challenging to envision a scenario where this gadget would be preferable to a standard laptop or tablet. Weighing 1.7 pounds and measuring 6 inches on each side, it requires a portable screen to be functional. It only seems practical if you have a USB-C desktop setup at your destination and don’t need a PC during transit.
The tiny right Shift key and compact punctuation to accommodate the touchpad suggest it might not be ergonomic to use. It appears uncomfortable compared to almost any laptop keyboard. Given that I wouldn’t use this device on the go, I might prefer setting up a full keyboard and mouse at my destination and replacing it with one of those compact “portable” desktops.
But that’s just my middle-aged curmudgeon perspective. I must admit, the design work on the Ling Long is impressive, and I’d be curious to try it out to see if my doubts are unfounded. While it seems unlikely that this device will make it out of China in its current form, perhaps someone will recognize its potential and import it or license the design.
