In the world of keyboards, there are so many types that listing them would make for multiple articles. Among them, there are two in particular, one of which we have already covered (60%) while the other is the reason for this article. We are of course talking about what is called keyless keyboarda variant that hits hard in the sector because users are beginning to know it after years of existence and where they now see its advantages thanks to its attractiveness.
Why all the fuss now when they’ve been on the market for years, if not decades? Well, this is something that should be seriously debated, but in any case, first we have to explain what they are and then go back to the arguments of their current popularity, so here we go.
Keyless keyboard, definition
You don’t need to be a scholar to see that the translation of the term already more or less describes to a greater extent where this type of keyboard goes. A Tenkeyless keyboard or TKL if we take its abbreviation is nothing but a type of device that includes 10 keys less than a normal and complete one.
If we are scrupulous and detailed, in reality the term is not correct as such, because what manufacturers do is not to remove 10 keys from a particular keyboard model and launch it as TKL , but rather to directly replace all the keys of the numeric keypad, and this means that we are talking about a greater number of them, around 16 or 18 depending on the model or manufacturer, something that suits the taste of the same.
Therefore, a Tenkeyless keyboard differs from a normal keyboard in the precise absence of said numeric keypad on the right side of it and therefore this type of device is a “new” field for users who want a smaller overall size .
So is that their only difference or are there more?
The differences aren’t just in the total number of keys, but they’re designed to house a keyboard’s maximum capabilities in a minimum amount of space. And it is that logically the size is the key section here, since what is sought is to reduce the horizontal centimeters as much as possible.
The answer to this is given by needs, as some users need to move the keyboard to their right to be centered on the screen (if they’re gaming in a horizontal position relative to the monitor) or if they rotate their keyboard, then they need a shorter length so they don’t leave the office.
Logically, a Tenkeyless keyboard solves both problems in one fell swoop and we’re obviously talking about a wonderful solution for those with smaller desktops. That said, don’t confuse a Tenkeyless keyboard with a 60% keyboard, they may look the same as they are compact, but if we look at the physical format it’s different despite both being rectangular.
The Tenkeyless will still have the same traditional format of the keys, as well as their separation and only dispenses with the aforementioned numeric keypad, which is why it is classified as compact and there are no more changes here, it is simply a shorter keyboard. The keyboard to 60% it is even more compact, it changes its layout of the added keys, like arrow keys, delete, etc… And in addition, it is reduced to the minimum expression.
