The difference between an unproductive and productive work day experience on a laptop, PC or even a TV can be a really good keyboard. We rarely spend real time and research considering what keyboard to buy. We settle with the cheapest, even though this is a personal accessory, something most of us spend the most time to interface with our devices. A keyboard today can set you back by as little Rs. 400 and the really good ones can go well beyond Rs. 10,000. What makes them so different, so varied in prices and what should you look for? We are here to tell you just that.
What are you going to use this keyboard with?
Most of us are going to be using our keyboards on laptops or PCs, some of us on Smart TVs or maybe tablets. Before you get into the finer details of the features, decide on this element. A desktop keyboard is usually bulky and wired, and might not feasible to use with a Smart TV. A larger wireless keyboard meant for PCs, may not be ideal if you’re connecting it to a tablet. A compact wireless keyboard is too cramped to be used as a daily-driver for long hours of work. Choose a format that suits your requirements.
Do you need a wired or wireless keyboard?
This depends on what you’ve decided on. If this is a keyboard you’re going to be using with a desktop PC or even a laptop that stays in one place, a large-sized, sturdy wired keyboards might be the ideal. The leisurely layout makes typing a lot better when you’re busy punching out long mails and articles.
Wireless keyboards are more suited if you’re sitting a little away and need some flexibility. The most obvious application for a wireless keyboard is with a television or a desktop that’s kept at a distance. It’s also suitable for laptops that are placed on a laptop stand, at a distance. There is no harm in using a wireless keyboard with a desktop, but choose one that’s full-sized with all the bells and whistles.
When you are considering a wireless keyboard, know that some models operate under Radio Frequency (RF) receivers while some others over Bluetooth. The more expensive, Bluetooth models may not even need you to connect an USB adapter to the laptop or PC you’re working on; they can use the inbuilt feature in these cases. Radio frequency receivers need to be plugged in to your PC, laptop or TV. These may be difficult to work with tablets or devices that don’t have USB ports. Bluetooth models are definitely more preferable there.
What’s the noise around mechanical keyboards?
Mechanical keyboards made up for pretty much every keyboard right up till the late 90s, now they are back. They are known for their tactile feel and they rarely lose their feel and finish years later. Some users even use these keyboards for a decade or more, where membrane based keyboards make it through a fraction of that kind of time. If you’re considering buying a mechanical keyboard, make sure you choose a model with the right type of keys. The most popular one are called Cherry MX although cheaper alternatives exist today.
They come in distinct colours that denote their way of functioning. Mechanical keyboard manufacturers will state details on them on their product pages. Another trend with mechanical keyboards are the models that don’t have the numerical pad so they can be more compact. These are called Tenkeyless keyboards. Most of these keyboards also eliminate the spacing between the groups of keys. There are even smaller keyboards that have the function row of keys missing.
Look for the ideal key layout and designs
Some keyboard manufacturers may not pay close attention to the layout or design of the keyboards. The end result is having a really small Enter key or backspace key. Some models may even have the Fn key where the Ctrl used to be. All of this just adds to the confusion and makes getting used to the keyboard a bit more difficult. Other victims are the directional keys that are shrunk beyond what is ideal. The spacing between keys is also important so you don’t end up pressing the wrong one every so often.
Value-added features and look
Some of the modern models come with a bunch of other features typically found in some gaming keyboards. Some models can store settings and your preferences in the keyboard themselves, so you can move from one PC to another without having to reconfigure them.
Some other models come with backlighting. This is useful when working at night, and some offer multiple colours and animated effects for them. This not only adds to the functionality but also help in adding a certain bling when you take your gaming rig to LAN parties. They are bound to make your system stand out. Some keyboards support macros, while some have dedicated multimedia keys and volume controls built into the keyboard.
Keyboards designed for tablets might have a space for placing a tablet in it like a laptop screen, while some others might double as a case for the tablet.
Ergonomics matters a lot than you think
One of the most important factors besides all the features, is the design. We have already spoken about the spacing between keys, but what you might forget about are the shapes of the wrist-rest, the length and being able to keep the keyboard inclined, using the small stands at the back. All of this help you work longer without suffering from wrist and shoulder pain.
If you’re all about getting a PC or laptop running at a budget, don’t forget to consider keyboards that come as part of a kit. These include a mouse as well. There are options available if you drop by your closest Reliance Digital store. You can now also buy one from us online so don’t forget to check out our product catalogue.
