Carrying a tablet and a laptop means packing two screens. The upcoming Hero Keyboard, from Hero Devices, aims to carry only what you need: a keyboard that houses a complete Windows 11 PC. The keyboard houses the computer, a trackpad, and a battery, and it leaves the display to a compatible tablet or monitor.
The unit looks like a laptop with its lid removed. The Midnight Merlot enclosure has rounded corners, black keycaps, and a wide trackpad. No hinge or display sits behind them. The aluminum body measures about 10.04 by 7.48 inches and 0.46 inches thick, which leaves no room for a number pad.
Without a number pad, the Hero keyboard relies on a compact layout, so Logitech’s $99 AI-friendly MX Keypad with LCD keys offers a useful comparison for anyone weighing small desk input hardware.
Inside, Hero specifies an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, 16 GB of memory, and a 512 GB SSD. Windows 11 runs on that hardware. The tablet supplies only the display and supported touch input. This setup matters when a Windows application won’t run on your tablet, and you want to keep the mobile apps you already use.
How the tablet connects
Hero Port sends video over a standard USB-C data cable. Touch and stylus input travel separately over Bluetooth Low Energy. The companion app targets iPadOS 17 and later and Android 7 and later. Its product page still lists the app as forthcoming.
iPhone owners are pointed to third-party alternatives, such as Duet. Setup therefore depends on your tablet and on which apps you choose to install.
Using a windows 11 pc keyboard away from the desk
At a desk, a compatible USB-C monitor can handle both the display and power through one cable. Move elsewhere, and your files and applications travel inside the keyboard. The optional $50 Sidekick case holds Hero and an 11-inch iPad, and it doubles as a tablet stand.
It also works without Windows. Switch off its PC, and the pc keyboard and trackpad can pair with a tablet over Bluetooth. You can answer messages in native tablet apps, then switch back to Windows for work that needs it.
The trade-offs
The windows 11 keyboard alone weighs about 1.59 pounds before you add a tablet, stand, or charger. The company claims up to nine hours of battery life and ships a 100-watt USB-C charger. Those figures don’t show how long your specific workload will last.
The tablet supplying your display has its own battery to manage. Each device adds another charge to track during a day of use.
Juggling a separate display and battery adds up quickly, so Acer’s Project DualPlay Mini for gaming and productivity is worth a look for another compact take on a two-role portable device.
The Founders Edition is priced at $999 for preorder in the US and Canada. Initial shipments are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. Buyers must already own a compatible screen, and they must accept a cable, an app, and a less self-contained setup than a conventional laptop. For people who need Windows and already have the right display, that trade may be worth making.
Source: yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the Hero Keyboard connect to a tablet?
The Hero Keyboard sends video to a tablet over a standard USB-C data cable through its Hero Port. Touch and stylus input travel separately over Bluetooth Low Energy.
What hardware runs inside the Hero Keyboard?
Hero specifies an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H processor, 16 GB of memory, and a 512 GB SSD inside the keyboard. Windows 11 runs on that hardware, while the tablet supplies only the display and supported touch input.
How much does the Hero Keyboard cost and when does it ship?
The Founders Edition is priced at $999 for preorder in the US and Canada. Initial shipments are planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
How long does the Hero Keyboard battery last on a charge?
The company claims up to nine hours of battery life. The article notes that these figures don’t show how long a specific workload will last.
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