BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 compact keyboard

An ode to the BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840

No hub, no fuss

This is the S-board 840 at its most honest. No extra ports, no numeric keypad, just keys you type on. Your mouse moves a good bit closer and your desk instantly looks tidier. Sometimes leaving things out is simply the best design.

Why the BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840?

Compact, without a numeric keypad

The BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 without USB hub is a compact keyboard without a separate numeric keypad. That keeps it just 305 mm wide, so your mouse sits right next to the keys. You don't have to move your arm as far out to reach the mouse. That can help reduce tension in your forearm and shoulder.

Light and quiet typing

The keys of the S-board 840 use a scissor mechanism. They press down lightly and quietly, and you still feel clearly when a keystroke counts. At 20 mm high the keyboard sits low on your desk, so your wrists don't have to bend far upwards.

Handy for hybrid working

The S-board 840 weighs 480 grams and fits in most laptop bags with the protective sleeve that comes with it. Take it with you from home to the office, and you type on the same keyboard wherever you are. If your laptop only has USB-C, use the USB-C adapter that comes in the box with the S-board 840.

What makes the S-board 840 so good?

Keys your fingers can find

The keys of the S-board 840 have a key pitch of 19 mm, the same as on a regular keyboard. So you don't need to learn to type all over again. The keys are slightly hollow (concave) and cradle your fingertips, only the space bar is curved outwards. That way you can feel where you are without looking.

Easy on the eyes

The S-board 840 has white keys with dark letters 4 mm high. If you often look back and forth between a bright screen and the keyboard, that means less difference in contrast. Three status LEDs show whether NumLock, CapsLock or ScrollLock is on.

Shortcut keys above the F keys

Above the function keys of the S-board 840 is a row of 12 shortcut keys: open, save, print, cut, copy, paste, play, stop, mute, home page, favourites and new email. That means you reach for the mouse less often. A few keys do depend on your software: the email key opens Outlook, and according to BakkerElkhuizen the favourites key doesn't work in every browser.

Get the most out of your S-board 840

Put the mouse right next to it

The real benefit of the S-board 840 is the space that opens up on the right. Place your mouse right next to the keyboard, directly in front of your right shoulder, as BakkerElkhuizen recommends in the manual. For the first few days you may still reach past the mouse once or twice. You'll get used to it quickly.

Feet in or out

If you touch type, keep the feet of the S-board 840 folded in. Your wrists then bend upwards less. If you often look at the keys while typing, you can fold the feet out for a better viewing angle. If in doubt, start flat.

Working with a laptop

If you work on a laptop, put it on a laptop stand so the screen sits higher. You then place the S-board 840 in front of you on its own. That way you combine a higher screen with a compact keyboard, and your neck doesn't have to bend down as much.

You shouldn't miss this either

Typing lots of numbers

The S-board 840 has no separate numeric keypad, but it does have one built into the letter keys on the right. You switch it on with NumLock via Fn + F11. If you type a lot of numbers every day, the separate S-board 840 numeric keypad in the same design is a nice addition.

Using it on a Mac

On a Mac the S-board 840 works as a regular keyboard. According to BakkerElkhuizen, the shortcut keys and the Apple command keys don't work on macOS. If you mainly work on a Mac, you'll miss out on the extra functions.

No separate volume keys

The shortcut row of the S-board 840 has a key to mute the sound, but no keys for louder and quieter. You adjust the volume on your computer.

Prefer USB ports on your keyboard

This S-board 840 has no USB hub. If you want to plug your mouse or headset straight into the keyboard, choose the S-board 840 with USB hub. It has two USB ports and is otherwise the same as this version.

Pros and cons

• Mouse closer to your body
• Light, quiet scissor-mechanism keys
• Protective sleeve and USB-C adapter included
• 12 shortcut keys
• Less ideal if you type a lot of numbers
• Less ideal if you want to use the shortcut keys on a Mac
• Less ideal if you want to plug devices into your keyboard
• Less ideal if you want to work wirelessly

In short: the BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 without USB hub is a compact keyboard without a numeric keypad, for anyone who wants their mouse closer to their body. Important: US QWERTY layout, a wired USB connection and no USB ports on the keyboard.

Key specifications

Key figures: 305 x 165 x 20 mm, 480 grams, 155 cm cable, 12 shortcut keys, 3 years warranty.

How happy will my body be with this?

Score overview: Wrist 5/5, Shoulder 5/5, Hand 3/5, Arm 3/5.

Product features

• Compact keyboard without a separate numeric keypad
• Built-in numeric keypad via NumLock (Fn + F11)
• Scissor mechanism with a light keystroke
• Concave keys, convex space bar
• 19 mm key pitch
• White keys with 4 mm dark letters
• 12 shortcut keys for Office, media, internet and email
• 3 status LEDs for NumLock, CapsLock and ScrollLock
• Fold-out feet and non-slip feet
• Plug & play, no drivers needed

What's in the box?

• 1 x BakkerElkhuizen S-board 840 compact keyboard without USB hub (US QWERTY)
• 1 x Protective sleeve
• 1 x USB-A to USB-C adapter
• 1 x Manual

Downloads

Frequently asked questions