Thanks to ongoing miniaturization and gains in efficiency, hardware makers keep experimenting with new form factors. With the KB2, PiPO decided, in a way, to “return to its roots” — a device that’s literally a computer inside a keyboard.
The most striking part is that it’s a folding keyboard with a built-in battery, so it’s very easy to transport and connect.
The classic computer-in-a-keyboard returns
Compact computers have come to stay, and the latest generations of SoCs give us more performance in very small sizes. The whole scene exploded with HDMI dongles, a format several companies are exploring today. Then we discovered things like Kangaroo and its new variant Kangaroo Plus, both as big as a smartphone. But if we rewind a little, we inevitably come across the classic “computer inside a keyboard”. Some readers may remember the Asus Eee Keyboard, which ended up being a true rarity that very few people chose to buy. Years have passed and the hardware has changed, so it’s a good time to revisit the format with products like the PiPO KB2.
The KB2 at a glance
PiPO actually presented two devices. The KB1 is a complete design based on the Atom x5-Z8300 or the Atom Z3735F/6F. With the first chip you get 4GB of RAM; with the second you get half that. Storage comes as 32GB or 64GB of solid-state memory, and the manufacturer recommends it for environments such as banks or other commercial activities. But the star is the KB2: it uses the same hardware as its older sibling and adds a folding design that’s easy to take anywhere. Other specs include two USB ports (2.0 and 3.0), WiFi ac, WiDi support, a micro USB port for charging its 2,500mAh battery, a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD slot. The one thing the KB2 leaves out compared to the KB1 is the touchpad. Every version runs Windows 10.
Availability
WiDi support is particularly interesting because it lets you skip the HDMI cable and the traditional audio output, though the technology still needs to gain more traction. The company hasn’t revealed prices yet, but we do know the KB1 will appear in the Chinese market this week, and the KB2 will debut in September.
