- The VitaLink folding keyboard hides a 13-inch 4K screen inside its frame
- Ultra-wide 2.4:1 display revives productivity ideas explored more than a decade ago
- Dual USB-C ports handle power, video and data simultaneously everywhere
VitaLink has revisited the idea of ”ultrawide” computing once explored by Toshiba’s Satellite U845W, with its new folding keyboard, again combining portability with an unusually expanded workspace concept.
Like Toshiba’s previous 21:9 experiment, this device uses additional horizontal space for multitasking instead of conventional laptop proportions.
Its 3840×1600 touchscreen adopts a 2.4:1 ratio, echoing ambitions that many considered premature when Toshiba attempted similar ideas years earlier.
Revisiting an abandoned ultrawide idea
The resemblance to Toshiba’s previous approach seems deliberate, although VitaLink shifts the emphasis from media playback to productivity workloads and creation tasks.
When folded, the VitaLink measures 20mm thick, weighs 1200 grams and takes up little more space than a large paperback novel.
Its CNC-machined aluminum body opens via a 180° hinge, creating a workspace that measures approximately 34 by 15 centimeters when unfolded.
That arrangement allows the screen to sit above the keyboard, giving the accessory a size comparable to many compact laptops.
Unlike many portable keyboards that sacrifice usability for compact dimensions, the VitaLink uses 3.27mm key spacing and 0.8mm key travel.
The company says those measurements improve comfort during long sessions, although broader testing remains necessary before such claims are resolved.
The backlit keyboard supports three RGB lighting modes, ranging from static lighting to animated effects that prioritize appearance over practical utility.
The integrated display reaches 298 pixels per inch, covers 100% sRGB, and supports ten-point multi-touch interaction for navigation purposes.
Toshiba’s 14.4-inch Satellite U845W attempted something similar in 2012, using a 1792×768 display built around a 21:9 aspect ratio.
That machine won praise for its multitasking and movie playback, although its keyboard and unusual proportions limited wider commercial success later.
More recently, Bapaco adopted another variation of the concept through a 12.3-inch 1920×720 touchscreen integrated into a computer with a keyboard.
Its unusual 16:6 layout demonstrated that manufacturers continued to revisit the same philosophy despite earlier skepticism from the broader market.
A keyboard accessory that tries to become more than one thing
This device features dual USB-C connections that support video, data, and charging up to 65W through a single cable connected to another device.
Compatibility extends to Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, tablets and handheld consoles with no additional software required to be installed before operation begins.
When connected to another laptop, the accessory functions as a secondary display while also providing a full keyboard interface to work with.
The company also promotes it as a business laptop companion where the extra screen real estate could reduce reliance on external monitors.
When connected to gaming hardware via USB-C, the device effectively becomes a 13-inch laptop-style portable display alternative.
The device supports eight keyboard layouts, including Windows US, Mac US, German, Japanese, British, French, Nordic, Italian, and Spanish variants.
Additional design charges range from $10 to $30, reflecting separate engraving requirements and smaller production quantities for manufacturing purposes.
VitaLink is crowdfunding on Kickstarter with an initial pledge of $299, down from a quoted retail figure of $658 for early backers.
The campaign has attracted 997 backers who pledged $325,523 despite an original funding goal of just $3,825.
Shipping is scheduled for September 2026, with delivery charges between $18 and $33 depending on destination and regional logistics.
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