Keyboard

This site provides basic information about computer keyboards and its history. It also guides the reader to purchase the most suitable keyboard from the best vendor for their task.


1. Keyboard - Overview

Keyboard - Overview Keyboards feel different, and touch typists should spend a few hours with any keyboard, especially on a laptop, before purchasing it. Key placement is extremely important. Even the most popular laptop keyboards can have awkward cursor, page up/down, home and end key placements. It is not uncommon to have ridiculous designs such as the delete key next to a cursor key. This should have minimal or no effect on slow typists, however, for fast typists, it is critical.

2. Window to the Past

Window to the Past A few key technological developments created the transition of the typewriter into the computer keyboard. The teletype machine, introduced in the 1930s, combined the technology of the typewriter (used as an input and a printing device) with the telegraph. Elsewhere, punched card systems were combined with typewriters to create what was called keypunches. Keypunches were the basis of early adding machines and IBM was selling over one million dollars worth of adding machines in 1931.

3. Evolution

Evolution Most keyboards today use a membrane technology underneath the keys that does not have the springiness and feel of earlier keyboards that used individual key switches. Premium keyboards from third parties do however still use the switches, and to a fast touch typist, the difference is dramatic. Keyboards have changed very little in layout since their introduction. In fact, the most common change has simply been the natural evolution of adding more keys that provide additional functionality.

4. Keyboard Makeup

Keyboard Makeup Portable computers such as laptops quite often have custom keyboards that have slightly different key arrangements than a standard keyboard. Also, many system manufacturers add specialty buttons to the standard layout. A typical keyboard has four basic types of keys:
Typing keys
Numeric keypad
Function keys
Control keys

5. How it works

How it works At its essence, a keyboard is a series of switches connected to a microprocessor that monitors the state of each switch and initiates a specific response to a change in that state.

6. Types of Keyboards

Types of Keyboards The most common keyboards are:
  • 101-key Enhanced keyboard

  • 104-key Windows keyboard

  • 82-key Apple standard keyboard

  • 108-key Apple Extended keyboard
  • 7. Wireless vs. Traditional

    Wireless vs. Traditional The first time you use a wireless keyboard, you’ll realize just how much freedom it offers you. Rather than being tied to your computer, forced to sit in a perhaps uncomfortable position for hours at a time

    8. Keyboard Maintenance

    Keyboard Maintenance First, shutdown your PC and remove the mains plug, unplug the keyboard (remember which socket) and hold it upside down to release any debris from in-between the keys (pressing the keys is a good way to release it). If you have a can of compressed air then use it to blow any debris from around and under the keys, if not, then use the hose of a vacuum cleaner to remove it. All the keys can be removed although the larger keys (space bar, enter key, shift keys, backspace, caps lock, etc) can be difficult to put back. Therefore, you might avoid removing them.

    9. Buying Tips

    Buying Tips Buying a keyboard that best suites your needs can greatly increase your productivity. To choose the best keyboard for your needs, you must know the answers to a few questions. The questions below will help you figure out what you need to know before you buy a keyboard:

  • What will you do with the keyboard?
  • What type of connector do you need?
  • What cable length do you need?
  • Related Articles
    - Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave
    The Wave is expensive for a keyboard, but we think it's worth the money. It is, without a doubt, the most comfortable keyboard we've typed on, and the first ergonomic keyboard that we've actually liked. If you do a lot of typing, it's a worthwhile investment that will let you use your PC more comfortably. Of course, it would be advisable to try it yourself before buying, if you can.
    - Trust Keyboard KB-1800S
    - Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
    - Trust Wireless Laser Deskset DS-4500X
    - Windows Aero Inspired Keyboards
    - How To Clean Your Keyboard
    - Twin Touch 19eNB Rechargeable Optical Kit
    - Buying a Keyboard
    - Ideazon Zboard Fang
    - Aurora Aluminium Keyboard
    Related Articles
    - Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave
    The Wave is expensive for a keyboard, but we think it's worth the money. It is, without a doubt, the most comfortable keyboard we've typed on, and the first ergonomic keyboard that we've actually liked. If you do a lot of typing, it's a worthwhile investment that will let you use your PC more comfortably. Of course, it would be advisable to try it yourself before buying, if you can.
    - Trust Keyboard KB-1800S
    - Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000
    - Trust Wireless Laser Deskset DS-4500X
    - Windows Aero Inspired Keyboards
    - How To Clean Your Keyboard
    - Twin Touch 19eNB Rechargeable Optical Kit
    - Buying a Keyboard
    - Ideazon Zboard Fang
    - Aurora Aluminium Keyboard

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