Adesso’s latest EasyTouch keyboards aim to marry quiet mechanical typing with one-touch AI convenience, introducing the EasyTouch 130 and EasyTouch 150 — both outfitted with tactile Brown mechanical switches and a dedicated Microsoft Copilot hotkey that promises instant access to Windows’ AI assistant.
Adesso has long positioned itself as a maker of pragmatic, office-oriented input devices that emphasize value and accessibility. The EasyTouch family expands that approach into a broader mechanical-keyboard lineup, blending features usually found in enthusiast boards (gasket mounting, mechanical switches, and large-print legends) with mainstream ergonomics and accessibility features intended for shared workspaces and mixed-ability users. The new 130 and 150 models are explicitly marketed as “quiet” mechanical options with hardware-level Copilot integration for Windows users.
The launch arrives amid a wider industry trend: hardware makers adding dedicated AI keys to make generative assistants like Microsoft Copilot more discoverable and frictionless. That trend mirrors past shifts — from media keys to calculator and browser shortcuts — but it also raises fresh questions around privacy, enterprise policy, and platform lock-in.
For context, the original Cherry MX Brown switch (MX2A/B family) is a tactile, non-clicky switch with approximately 2.0 mm pre-travel and an operating/pressure-point force in the ~45–55 centinewton range depending on how the metric is reported. Cherry’s official specifications list a short pre-travel of 2.0 mm and a tactile/operating force in this band; community and peripheral manufacturers commonly report the Brown as a quiet, tactile option ideal for office use. That makes the Brown a pragmatic compromise between noise and feedback.
Important note: a few early write-ups mention a 2.2 mm actuation point and 55 g actuation force for the EasyTouch models specifically. Those precise numbers do not appear on all official product pages, so they should be treated as either variant-specific (some production runs use slightly different Brown-style switches) or as rounding differences from different sources. Where switch provenance matters — for long-term feel and repairability — buyers should confirm the SKU’s exact switch vendor (Cherry MX vs. third-party) on the retail page or box.
However, practical behavior and utility of that key are constrained by several conditions:
Why the discrepancy matters: some outlets report lower Amazon prices for Copilot-enabled SKUs as introductory discounts. Adesso’s product pages and multi-SKU family pages list higher MSRPs for some ergonomic or feature-rich models, so price-shopping will often find promotional savings during the launch window.
Strengths are clear: accessible mechanical tactility, practical ergonomics on the EasyTouch 150, and the convenience of a Copilot hotkey for users already embedded in Microsoft’s AI ecosystem. The primary caveats are equally straightforward: Copilot’s utility depends on platform support and policy, switch provenance can vary between SKUs, and MSRP vs. retailer pricing will fluctuate during rollout.
For budget-conscious office users and Copilot adopters, these boards represent a low-friction way to adopt mechanical typing and test the productivity gains of hardware‑level AI shortcuts. For enthusiasts and managed enterprises, the advice is to verify SKU details and policy compatibility before committing to a fleet deployment.
If the goal is one-press access to AI from the primary input device and a quieter mechanical feel for everyday typing, Adesso’s EasyTouch 130 and 150 deliver a compelling — and affordable — option that reflects the shape of where mainstream PC peripherals are heading. (adesso.com, cherry-world.com)
Source: Notebookcheck Adesso unveils EasyTouch 130 and 150 keyboards with Microsoft Copilot AI keys and Cherry Brown switches
Adesso has long positioned itself as a maker of pragmatic, office-oriented input devices that emphasize value and accessibility. The EasyTouch family expands that approach into a broader mechanical-keyboard lineup, blending features usually found in enthusiast boards (gasket mounting, mechanical switches, and large-print legends) with mainstream ergonomics and accessibility features intended for shared workspaces and mixed-ability users. The new 130 and 150 models are explicitly marketed as “quiet” mechanical options with hardware-level Copilot integration for Windows users. The launch arrives amid a wider industry trend: hardware makers adding dedicated AI keys to make generative assistants like Microsoft Copilot more discoverable and frictionless. That trend mirrors past shifts — from media keys to calculator and browser shortcuts — but it also raises fresh questions around privacy, enterprise policy, and platform lock-in.
What Adesso announced — quick facts
- Models: EasyTouch 130 (conventional rectangular full-size layout) and EasyTouch 150 (curved/split ergonomic full-size layout with palm rest).
- Switches: Brown tactile mechanical switches (Adesso lists Brown / Cherry Brown for different SKUs), rated for approximately 50 million keystrokes.
- Typing noise control: Gasket-mounted QuietTouch structure to reduce hollow resonance and key noise.
- Legibility and ergonomics: Laser/large-print key legends (2× size) and a palm-rest on the EasyTouch 150 for longer typing sessions.
- Copilot hotkey: Dedicated Copilot AI key placed to the right of the spacebar on Copilot-enabled SKUs for single-press activation of Microsoft Copilot in Windows 11 / Microsoft Edge when the OS supports it.
- Connectivity / physical: Wired USB (USB-A/USB depending on retail SKU), full 104-key layout, ~6 ft cable on the advertised models.
- Pricing at launch: Adesso lists MSRPs of roughly $49.99 (EasyTouch 130) and $99.99 (EasyTouch 150) on its product pages, while some retailers and press releases reported lower introductory Amazon prices (for example, $44.99 and $71.99 respectively). Expect price divergence during launch windows. (adesso.com, einpresswire.com)
Design and hardware deep dive
Form factors: slab vs. ergonomic split
- EasyTouch 130: follows the traditional full-size slab layout with a numeric keypad; targeted at users who want a drop-in mechanical replacement without changing workflows. Its size and familiar footprint make it suitable for finance, data entry, and mixed-use office desks.
- EasyTouch 150: leans into ergonomic design with split key zones and a gentle slope plus an integrated palm rest. It’s a middle-ground ergonomics option that improves wrist angle without the relearning curve of tented or fully split ortholinear boards. This makes it appealing to typists who seek comfort gains without sacrificing a standard layout.
Switches and typing characteristics
Both keyboards ship with Brown-style tactile switches. Adesso references “Brown” and, for some SKUs, “Cherry Brown” — a distinction enthusiasts care about because Cherry MX-branded switches and third-party Brown equivalents differ in feel and durability. Adesso quotes a typical mechanical lifespan around 50 million actuations for these models.For context, the original Cherry MX Brown switch (MX2A/B family) is a tactile, non-clicky switch with approximately 2.0 mm pre-travel and an operating/pressure-point force in the ~45–55 centinewton range depending on how the metric is reported. Cherry’s official specifications list a short pre-travel of 2.0 mm and a tactile/operating force in this band; community and peripheral manufacturers commonly report the Brown as a quiet, tactile option ideal for office use. That makes the Brown a pragmatic compromise between noise and feedback.
Important note: a few early write-ups mention a 2.2 mm actuation point and 55 g actuation force for the EasyTouch models specifically. Those precise numbers do not appear on all official product pages, so they should be treated as either variant-specific (some production runs use slightly different Brown-style switches) or as rounding differences from different sources. Where switch provenance matters — for long-term feel and repairability — buyers should confirm the SKU’s exact switch vendor (Cherry MX vs. third-party) on the retail page or box.
Acoustics and build: QuietTouch gasket structure
Adesso highlights a gasket-style mount and filling (referred to in marketing as QuietTouch gaskets) that sit between the PCB and the plate or positioning board. The gasket approach reduces the metallic, hollow resonance that budget mechanical keyboards sometimes produce, yielding a “thockier” and quieter sound profile better suited to open offices. The company’s marketing and product pages emphasize improved feel and sound-dampening, and the EasyTouch family inherits that damping across form factors.Keycaps, legends, and rollover
- Large-print key legends (2× size) enhance visibility for shared workspaces or users with reduced visual acuity.
- Adesso’s broader EasyTouch family and spec tables indicate N-key rollover / NKRO support on several models in the series, and other EasyTouch variants explicitly advertise full N-key rollover; while some 130/150 retail pages may omit NKRO in favor of lower-key rollover counts, the series-level documentation lists NKRO as an available capability in many SKUs. Buyers who need guaranteed NKRO for fast simultaneous presses should validate the specific SKU’s spec sheet at checkout.
The Copilot hotkey — what it does and what it doesn’t
A focal point of Adesso’s marketing (and the industry’s current conversation) is the dedicated Copilot AI key on Copilot-enabled SKUs. The key is positioned for one-handed, single-press access to Microsoft Copilot features in Windows 11 and the Microsoft Edge browser. Adesso pitches this as a productivity shortcut that summons AI-driven summarization, drafting, or assistant features without needing to click menus or use keyboard shortcuts. (adesso.com, einpresswire.com)However, practical behavior and utility of that key are constrained by several conditions:
- Platform dependency: The key’s behavior is Windows-centric. On macOS or Linux machines it will likely be inert by default; users can remap unused keys on non-Windows systems but will not get the native Copilot UX.
- OS build and Copilot availability: Copilot’s availability on a device depends on Microsoft’s rollout, the OS build, and any subscription or licensing requirements. On managed corporate devices, IT policies may block Copilot entirely, making the hotkey non-functional.
- One-press vs. contextual functionality: Pressing the Copilot key will invoke Copilot or its pane when the OS supports the mapping, but the exact scope of what Copilot can do (full native integration into Office apps, voice activation, or simple launcher behavior) varies with Microsoft’s implementation on the target device and app. Early reports and press materials emphasize launching the assistant; deeper contextual actions necessarily depend on OS and app-side capabilities.
Pricing, availability, and variant confusion
Adesso’s official product pages show $49.99 (EasyTouch 130) and $99.99 (EasyTouch 150) as the MSRP on the company site. Several press releases and retailer listings (including Amazon retailer snapshots) recorded promotional launch prices that were lower — for example, $44.99 and $71.99 — during early availability windows. Launch pricing can vary across retailers, SKUs (Copilot vs. non-Copilot), and regions, so these numbers are susceptible to rapid change. Compare retailer SKUs closely at checkout to confirm the Copilot-capable variant and the exact price. (adesso.com, einpresswire.com)Why the discrepancy matters: some outlets report lower Amazon prices for Copilot-enabled SKUs as introductory discounts. Adesso’s product pages and multi-SKU family pages list higher MSRPs for some ergonomic or feature-rich models, so price-shopping will often find promotional savings during the launch window.
Who should consider an EasyTouch 130 or 150?
- Users who want mechanical feel without excessive noise (office or shared workspace), where Brown-style tactility and gasket damping produce a quieter profile than clicky switches. (adesso.com, cherry-world.com)
- Typists, data-entry workers, and finance users who need a full-size layout with large legends for legibility and a numeric keypad.
- Consumers curious about hardware-based AI discoverability who use Microsoft Copilot on Windows and want one-touch access from a primary input device.
- Buyers seeking a modest ergonomics upgrade (EasyTouch 150) without moving into premium tented/split learning curves.
- Enthusiasts who insist on genuine Cherry MX guarantees or want full transparency about switch provenance; Adesso lists Cherry on some SKUs but also references generic Brown switches in places — confirm the specific retail SKU. (adesso.com, keyboardco.com)
- Enterprises with strict security or compliance policies that block Copilot or external AI; the dedicated hotkey may be disabled or nonfunctional in managed fleets.
- Users who need wireless multi-device pairing or USB-C charging; the 130/150 are primarily wired USB offerings in the initial SKUs and therefore not suited for laptop-on-the-go wireless workflows unless other EasyTouch variants are chosen.
Strengths — what’s notable and convincing
- Accessible mechanical feel: Brown tactile switches plus gasket damping make for a pleasant, quieter mechanical experience that’s appropriate for offices, shared desks, and remote-work setups. This lowers the barrier for mainstream adoption of mechanical keyboards.
- One-press AI discoverability: The Copilot key formalizes an emerging hardware pattern: make AI assistants immediately available without context-switching. For Copilot users, this reduces friction and speeds up common tasks like summarization or drafting.
- Legibility and ergonomics: Large legends and the palm-rest/split-zone on the 150 target real workplace comfort and accessibility, which are often overlooked in mainstream peripherals.
- Value pricing and broad availability: Adesso’s family strategy provides a range of SKUs and price points; combined with promotional retailer pricing, these keyboards undercut many enthusiast mechanical options while offering useful features for professionals. (adesso.com, einpresswire.com)
Risks and unresolved questions
- Switch provenance and spec clarity
- Adesso’s marketing mixes “Brown” and “Cherry Brown” references across SKUs. For buyers who care about exact switch feel and longevity, that ambiguity matters. Confirm the supplier and warranty details on the product listing. (adesso.com, keyboardco.com)
- Copilot dependency and enterprise controls
- The Copilot key’s utility is contingent on Microsoft’s OS-level support, licensing, and organizational policy. In controlled IT environments, Copilot may be disabled; the hardware hotkey will then be effectively cosmetic unless remapped. Enterprises should test and vet behavior before wide deployment.
- Specifications that vary by source
- Early reports quoted actuation distances and forces (e.g., 2.2 mm and 55 g) for the EasyTouch switches. Cherry’s official spec for MX Brown is closer to 2.0 mm pre-travel with an operating/pressure band around 45–55 cN, which suggests small variances in reporting or variant differences. Treat precise actuation numbers from secondary articles as possibly roundings or SKU-specific variants unless confirmed on the retail/product box.
- Long-term build and warranty
- Adesso targets mainstream budgets; plastic chassis and pragmatic materials are likely. For heavy-duty travel or industrial use, premium metal-framed boards still offer better durability. Check the warranty terms and retailer return policies.
Practical buying checklist
- Confirm the exact SKU in the retail listing — Copilot vs. non-Copilot variants can have different prices.
- Verify the switch vendor (Cherry MX vs. third-party Brown). If Cherry MX is listed and authentic packaging is critical, look for Cherry branding on the box or product page. (keyboardco.com, adesso.com)
- For NKRO-critical use (fast simul-keys), verify the retailer spec sheet that the purchased SKU lists N-key rollover.
- If you plan corporate deployment, check whether your organization permits Microsoft Copilot and how the key behaves on managed devices.
Conclusion
The EasyTouch 130 and 150 mark a sensible, timely step for Adesso: bringing quieter mechanical switches, ergonomic thinking, and a visible hardware tie-in to Microsoft Copilot to a value-focused audience. The approach is pragmatic — not aimed at keyboard hobbyists demanding full transparency about every component, nor at gamers chasing ultra-low latency or RGB flair — but at mainstream professionals who want better typing feel, improved legibility, and the promise of instant AI assistance.Strengths are clear: accessible mechanical tactility, practical ergonomics on the EasyTouch 150, and the convenience of a Copilot hotkey for users already embedded in Microsoft’s AI ecosystem. The primary caveats are equally straightforward: Copilot’s utility depends on platform support and policy, switch provenance can vary between SKUs, and MSRP vs. retailer pricing will fluctuate during rollout.
For budget-conscious office users and Copilot adopters, these boards represent a low-friction way to adopt mechanical typing and test the productivity gains of hardware‑level AI shortcuts. For enthusiasts and managed enterprises, the advice is to verify SKU details and policy compatibility before committing to a fleet deployment.
If the goal is one-press access to AI from the primary input device and a quieter mechanical feel for everyday typing, Adesso’s EasyTouch 130 and 150 deliver a compelling — and affordable — option that reflects the shape of where mainstream PC peripherals are heading. (adesso.com, cherry-world.com)
Source: Notebookcheck Adesso unveils EasyTouch 130 and 150 keyboards with Microsoft Copilot AI keys and Cherry Brown switches