And in the end, it always depends on the taste of the person to find a type of keyboard with the desired characteristics, because there are different factors that vary depending on the person. A clear example could be if you want your keyboard to be as quiet as possible since models are currently being manufactured that allow you to avoid the noise generated when typing. The same thing happens on the contrary, if we take into account that there are keyboards whose main function is… to make noise.
What types of keyboards exist and what are their features?
Well, keyboards can actually be divided into several groups that are very easy to remember, because in general they all have to do with appearance. This also influences the functioning of the keyboard, because depending on the factor we modify during the search, the keyboard may have fewer keys; which does not contain characters such as ñ ; that just by placing your finger on it, it detects that it has been pressed…
For this reason, below we are going to show you the differences between the types of keyboards that you can find based on their characteristics.
Types of keyboard according to their size
We can easily differentiate a keyboard based on its size at first glance, but there are details that still escape us at first glance, or which we realize later that we do not have certain keys, for this reason we show you which keyboards exist depending on its size:
| Size | Numeric keypad | Function keys | Control keys | Navigation keys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full keyboard | HAS | HAS | HAS | HAS |
| TKN keyboard | He does not have | HAS | HAS | HAS |
| Keyboard 75% | He does not have | He does not have | HAS | HAS |
| Keyboard 60% | He does not have | He does not have | He does not have | He does not have |
Types of keyboards according to their switch
With this topic we enter the debate that exists among keyboard fans, which is better, a keyboard that allows its user to feel as if they are using an old typewriter, or a keyboard that is the only way to know if you pressed the button what appears on the screen?
And in the end, we opt for what we like (obviously) when we buy something, but to avoid making the mistake of buying something that doesn’t interest us, here are the main types of switches that exist:
- Mechanical: This type of keyboard is characterized by its durability, as well as its comfort of use. In addition, they are keyboards that allow the user to choose the type of switch they want, adapting it to their preferences in terms of sensitivity, noise, response speed…
- Opto-mechanical: These keyboards are characterized by the way in which the key is activated when pressed, because unlike traditional mechanical keyboards, they do so using a light signal. This significantly reduces physical contact with the keys, increasing their durability.
- Membrane: When we talk about membrane keyboards, we are talking about those that are cheaper and are not really durable, but are characterized by their lightness.
- Scissors : This type of switch has very little travel, and practically placing your finger on it will press it. These are fast, precise and very quiet switches, but also the most fragile of all.
What are other ways to classify keyboards?
Well, in addition to those previously mentioned, which would be the main ones, they could be classified according to their connectivity, whether wireless or wired; They can also be differentiated according to the keyboard layout they have, which can be QWERTY, AZERTY or QWERTZ, as well as whether or not they have special keys depending on the language, since for people who speak Spanish for example, it there is the “ñ”, which is not found on keyboards that are not specifically designed to carry it.
Table of Contents
