When comparing Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard vs Apple Wireless Keyboard, the Slant community recommends Apple Wireless Keyboard for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards for programming?” Apple Wireless Keyboard is ranked 20th while Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Keyboard is ranked 21st. The most important reason people chose Apple Wireless Keyboard is:
Visually more appealing than your typical all-black keyboard.
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Pros
Pro Ergonomically shaped
Our hands naturally rest angled when in front of us, and this keyboard has been built to conform to that, rather than having us awkwardly trying to straighten our hands on a regular flat keyboard, putting strain on our wrists. The keyboard is also curved into a dome shape, which contributes to its ergonomic shape.
Pro Quiet
Thanks to the scissor switches used, this keyboard is very quiet.
Pro Low impact keys
The Sculpt's keys absorb impact quite well, avoiding injuries related to repetitive movements.
Pro Cushioned palm rest
This keyboard has a comfortable, cushioned palm rest.
Pro Clean look and flexible positioning due to wireless connection
This keyboard connects wirelessly to the computer. This offers many benefits, such as a clean, tidy look (no cable mess) or a flexible positioning (greater use range). On top of that, it doesn't occupy one of the ports.
Pro Number pad can be placed where it is more convenient
Since the number pad is a separate part from the main keyboard, its position can adjusted and it can be moved out of the way when it isn't being used. This allows for a more ergonomic mouse use, since it can be placed closer to the keyboard, just like in a tenkeyless design.
Pro Very comfortable
Using this keyboard with vim bindings you can sometimes nearly forget there's a keyboard between you and the editor.
Pro Slider switch for special functions
Rather than the usual Fn key that needs to be pressed in combination with other keys to activate said key's secondary functions, the Sculpt has a slider switch that does this. This makes it easier to default to those functions.
Pro Aesthetics
Visually more appealing than your typical all-black keyboard.
Pro Solid, but compact
Achieves a solid feel without feeling heavy or bulky.
Pro Takes up little space
A small keyboard means your mouse and/or trackpad can be closer to you, while having your keyboard right in front of you.
Pro Wireless
Being wireless makes it easy to carry around in your backpack and also means less wire clutter on the desk.
Pro Very lightweight keys
The easy-click keys allow minimum effort when typing.
Pro Fully compatible with any MacBook series keyboard
You will be instantly familiar with MacBook keyboards.
Pro Tenkeyless
this keyboard is compact since it doesn't have the numpad.
Pro Works with iPad
This keyboard can be used with iPads.
Cons
Con Functions keys are not easy to use
The function keys are too small.
Con Bad separation of key clusters
The Page Up, Page Down, Home, Insert, End, Delete and Arrow keys are squeezed together, right next to Enter, right Shift and right Control, without any physical barrier/marker to separate the two key clusters. Since this is not an usual layout, it is disorienting for users.
Con Less durable than flat keyboards
Because of its shape and thin design, this keyboard will break more easily than the typical, flat rectangular keyboards. This makes it less portable, unless you're very careful.
Con The key switches used aren't ideal for long typing sessions
The switches used are scissor switches, which are the ones used in many laptops. They provide shallow keystrokes which don't give the same feedback as a mechanical keyboard. These keys need to be bottomed out in order to activate, which creates some strain on your finger's joints as they are constantly hitting the bottom of the stroke. Scissor switches are also known to be less accurate than other keyboards.
Con Some keys aren't very reliable
Some keys (like Backspace or Enter), if not pressed perfectly perpendicularly, hit the shelf of the frame and get blocked on their way down. This means the stroke isn't registered and, on top of that, feels awkward. On the (slightly) bright side, this awkward feel acts as feedback that the key wasn't fully pressed.
Con Uncomfortable typing experience
Like the other Apple chiclet keyboards, it is not meant for touch typing: the switches are mushy and lack the tactile feedback, the keycaps are flat and so is the keyboard profile (not DSA or DCS, just plain ... flat).
Con It's missing some useful keys
It doesn't have dedicated Insert, Home, End, Page Up or Page Down keys.
Con Tenkeyless
This keyboard doesn't have a numeric pad.
Con Works well only with Apple gear
It doesn't work properly with hardware that's not from Apple.