When buying a computer, a good half of consumers pay special attention to the characteristics of the processor, the amount of RAM and hard disk, the performance of the video card and other components of the system unit.
But do not forget about such important accessories as a keyboard and mouse. The convenience of using a computer depends to a large extent on them. No matter how powerful a set of chipsets may be in the system unit, you have to manage it using the keyboard and mouse. Choosing a decent option is quite difficult, because today's market is simply bursting with an abundance of such input tools. And every year there are more and more of them: different types, purposes and methods of connection.
Getting lost in all this diversity is very easy. In this connection, many users are asking a completely logical question about which keyboard to choose for games, work or a mobile gadget. A store consultant is not always the best assistant, especially if it’s not about specialized points of sale.
So, let's try to figure out how to choose a keyboard, what to look for in the first place and how not to lose money with a purchase. When compiling the article, the opinions of experts in this field and the reviews of ordinary users were taken into account.
Keyboard Types
Before choosing a keyboard for your computer, it will obviously be useful to get acquainted with the classification of such devices. This will greatly help to narrow the range of potential models, and in some cases save money.
Office
This is the most common, as well as the most popular type of keyboard. Office devices are primarily designed for working with documents and surfing the web. The working area in this case is devoid of any additional function keys.
Devices of this type are designed for measured work and have a minimum class of protection against damage. That is, if you select this keyboard as a gaming keyboard, then it will crumble in a week or two. Especially when it comes to users who believe that the harder you press the buttons, the better the result.
Reviews about office devices are mixed. On the one hand, they are inexpensive, and they can be changed like gloves: I did not like it - I bought another, and no problems. Of course, 300-500 rubles is not so much money, if you look at the cost of other components on a PC.
But, on the other hand, build quality and performance, in general, leave much to be desired. It’s quite difficult to work with it even on a regular 8-hour day: fingers get tired, sometimes the buttons do not obey, and the wire bends forever, turning off the device. Of course, you can choose an office-type keyboard for 2-3 thousand rubles, but the practicality of such a purchase is a big question, because for this money you can buy the option described below and safely use it both for the same printing and in other areas.
Universal
This is a cross between gaming and office models. You can choose a universal keyboard in those cases when you need high-quality typing, and in your free time you are not averse to playing dynamic games.
Such devices have more reliable mechanisms and withstand a much higher load, unlike office models. In addition, there is a minimal set of multimedia buttons for working with players. The cost of universal keyboards is higher than that of office keyboards, but practicality is noticeably greater.
Reviews of universal keyboards are mostly positive. Such devices are just for many the golden mean. They are relatively inexpensive, fairly reliable and, in general, practical. So for many ordinary users, the question of choosing the right computer keyboard is not at all worth it - they prefer universal models.
Ergonomic
If your profession or occupation is associated with frequent and lengthy typing, then you should choose a keyboard with enhanced ergonomic characteristics. The exterior of the models here can be completely unpredictable and even futuristic, but the design is aimed specifically at facilitating touch typing.
It is much easier to choose a keyboard layout on Windows 10 and configure an additional unit to facilitate calling special functions from Word, Excel and other applications aimed at working with text and code.
Such devices are of little use for games and multimedia, especially low-end models, because they lack additional buttons, and their reliability is not so good, which is not the best option for dynamic applications.
Users leave mixed reviews about ergonomic models. Yes, they are convenient in printing text, code, here you can easily select the keyboard layout and attach buttons to popular text editors and other applications. But these are highly specialized devices, and using them in other areas is quite problematic.
Multimedia
Here we have a large working area in terms of area with a large number of additional function keys. The latter allows you to change the volume in the local player, control the browser, launch some programs with one click and assign some other actions to the remaining buttons.
Judging by the reviews, users involved in the design and layout of the video, that is, working in specialized editors, prefer multimedia input devices. They allow you to get rid of the routine with templates and calling frequently used functions by assigning the corresponding keys. And DJs like this keyboard.
Reviews about multimedia input devices are also mixed, because here it all depends on the location of the additional keys. Some manufacturers have everything in order with this (during operation, the necessary buttons are at hand), while others, alas, arrange them in some unusual and even chaotic order.
Game
There are many recommendations and tips on how to choose a gaming keyboard, but if we generalize them, we will see that we have a convenient and extremely reliable device with a minimum response. The first thing that distinguishes the game device for input from the rest is the reinforced keys and the reliability of the design.
In addition, manufacturers equip such keyboards with additional function buttons, where some frequent actions in games are assigned: turning on the chat, quick access wheel, zoom of the sight, and more.
The keys of gaming devices, as a rule, are rubberized and have a special base. Such devices are designed for strong and frequent clicks, so they adequately survive all the game battles and nervous tricks of users.
Consumers generally respond positively to gaming keyboards. They are really reliable, convenient and have advanced functionality. Such devices are not found in the budget segment, and if they come across, their quality leaves much to be desired. So you need to select a gaming keyboard in the mid-price or premium sector, otherwise you risk buying a regular universal device for input with marked keys.
For media centers
These are usually compact models designed to control PC-based media centers and mobile gadgets. In this segment, you can choose a keyboard for Android and iOS devices, laptops and other devices.
Here, first of all, it is necessary to focus on your requests and tasks, which the input device should perform. If you need a keyboard for the center, then the touchpad is useless in this case, while for smartphones and tablets it will come in handy.
There are a lot of reviews from users, mainly from those who bought an input device for a mobile gadget. The keyboard transforms the control of a tablet or smartphone and greatly improves their usability. So many users strongly recommend these devices for purchase.
Highly specialized keyboards
Here we are talking about assistive gadgets that help ease the routine. If, for example, you make music, or more specifically, you play the piano, then it makes sense to choose a midi keyboard. It can be programmed for certain actions or bind keys to notes or even whole octaves.
The choice, as in the previous case, largely depends on the intended tasks. Be sure to study the operating instructions and note for yourself whether there are enough keyboard features to organize your endeavors or, conversely, there are too many of them, and it’s better to look for an easier option, as well as cheaper.
As for the reviews, users note that such devices really make life easier. Yes, they will have to pay extra money, but it's worth it, especially if you do what you love every day.
Key Design
Each type of device described above may have a different key design. This point directly affects the cost of the device, as well as ease of use. So in no case should it be discounted.
Membrane Keyboard
This is the most common type of key. Buttons in this case can have medium or large height, and the design itself is well protected from dust, debris and other dirt. But judging by user reviews, a membrane keyboard is not the best option for professional typing or writing code.
They do not have the most understandable and clear move, therefore, false pressures are frequent here, and at the same time, frequent corrections of the printed. In addition, membrane keys sometimes stick keys, you have to disassemble the device or even buy a new one. The latter is a significant plus. Membrane keyboards have the lowest cost.
Island
This is a device with low profile keys. Keyboards of this kind are used, as a rule, on laptops and are more compact than other designs. They are less protected from dust, moisture and more fragile, so you need to handle them carefully.
Judging by user reviews, island input devices are ideal for professional typing and code. They do not have the problems that are characteristic of membrane models: pressing is clear, understandable and works in 99.9% of cases.
The cost of island keyboards is much higher than membrane keyboards, but they fully work out the invested money, especially if you type for days on end.
Mechanical
Mechanical keyboards are of high quality performance, but the price tags on them can not be called democratic. Such models are great for professional typing, code, as well as for games.
Reviews of mechanical keyboards are mostly positive. Yes, they are good for many, but some users do not like the high landing of the keys and their loud clicks. "Mechanics" is in enviable demand among gamers, because this design is characterized by increased reliability and is able to survive the most difficult gaming battles.
The cost of such keyboards can go up to fabulous amounts. The price tags for game models from venerable brands start at 5 thousand rubles and end somewhere around 20 thousand. Nevertheless, the purchase of a mechanical keyboard can be called practical, because it is extremely reliable and will last for many years, while the membrane and island models last no more than a year on average.
Connection interface
This is also one of the critical factors that you should definitely pay attention to when buying a keyboard. Many people forget about this moment in the store and experience serious problems upon returning home.
Previously, keyboards were only connected via the PS / 2 connector. But today's models have switched to a more familiar USB interface. Nevertheless, PS / 2 keyboards are still on sale, and some motherboards lack this connector.
In addition, there are also wireless types of keyboards, where the receiver is connected to the USB interface. Gamers do not respond in the best way to such devices, because the response time here is noticeably higher than that of wired models.
Manufacturers
As for manufacturers, the list of venerable brands has been formed for a long time, and newcomers are not welcome here. The competition in this market is very fierce, and everyone understands that any mistake will scare away the client, and at the same time money. Therefore, the brands indicated below try to produce only quality products.
Top keyboard manufacturers:
- Logitech
- Microsoft
- Razer.
- A4Tech.
- Zalman.
- Genius
- Gigabyte
- ASUS.
- Corsair.