Many people don't care which keyboard they use and the truth is that for some it really isn't that important. But if you tend to type a lot, or want to use the keyboard to simplify the use of various applications, it's important for you to buy a keyboard that will best suit your needs.
The Keyboard's Structure and General Convenience
- Keyboards can be different from one another not only in color and design, but also in size, angle and height of the keys, their shape and their arrangement. A sharp or obtuse angle of the keyboard can be more or less convenient – it's a subjective matter.
- The distance between the keys and the ratio between it and the size and flexibility of your hands are other parameters that are difficult to see or even measure, but easy to feel.
- The keyboard should be comfortable for you. Usually you'll be able to determine that after a few minutes of non stop typing. With keyboards in different designs from the one you've become accustomed to, it'll take about a half hour to two hours of work. Therefore, if you're looking for a keyboard, try, for starters, to find a place where you could sit and type without being interrupted. Difficult but possible.
Arrangement of the Keys
Most of the past few years' keyboards are Windows keyboards, which include the Windows key - the key that is beside the right Ctrl which is used to open menus. Standard key arrangements includes function keys in the upper part as well as the numbers keys on the right and between them and the rest of the keys – navigation keys (arrows, Page Down, Home, End etc. ).
In laptop keyboards the keys arrangement is different in order to save space and part of the desktop keyboards have adopted a similar arrangement of the keys. It isn't always convenient, mainly if you aren't used to it.
Shortcut Keys
Following Microsoft's lead, all keyboard manufacturers today, offer models that include special shortcut keys to control the media player, the browser, emails, calculator and more. Less common add ons, somehow, although they are useful: keys for shutting down the computer or transition to stand by mode, shortcut keys to "My Computer" and "My Documents" folders, keys for operating Office and a scrollwheel – like you find on a mouse.
In some of Microsoft's new keyboards, there are special keys for editing pictures, Zoom Slider for enlarging and reducing the display and such other inventions. Shortcut keys can be very useful, but less important than how many there are, is how they're organized. Will you succeed in getting used to using them and not have to look for them?
Design and Feel of the Keys
In a keyboard that has keys that are too close to one another or if they're too small, it's easy to strike the wrong key. When the keys are too far from one another, the hands are required to make a bigger effort and the keyboard will take up more space. The standard distance between the Caps Lock and the Enter keys in the main part of the keyboard, should be about 21cm to 23cm. This is the distance you'll find in good laptops' keyboards. In part of the desktop keyboards the keys are relatively low and softer like in laptops. These tend to be quieter and parts of the users prefer them, but many find them very less convenient.
Keyboard Proportions
The surface area of a standard 105-key keyboard is 15cm by 45 cm. More sophisticated keyboards, with many shortcut keys – are significantly bigger. It's best to measure the free space on your desktop so that you won't be surprised to find out after you've purchased one that part of the keyboard is hidden by the desk, when it is laid on the designated keyboard shelf.
Ergonomics and Special Designs
In Split keyboards the main part of the keyboard is separated in two in order to allow for a more natural position of the hands. Although this invention is considered to be healthier and part of the people claim that it's much more convenient, there are people that aren't able to use these keyboards.
Additional solutions, most of them Microsoft's: a breakage in a sharper angle, keys that are organized in a rainbow, a keyboard in an opposite angle (meaning, the part that is close to the user is higher) and more.
In some of the keyboards, the emphasis is not on the position of the hands, but on support of the wrists by a raised surface. There are also third party products which provide the support by a silicon cushion or similar solutions.
If you need an ergonomic keyboard, it's much recommended to try out various solutions before deciding what's more convenient and healthy for you. If you're already suffering from orthopedic problems, you should consult with a professional.
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