By design, keyboards are divided into three types: classic, "skeleton" and gaming. The classic case is strict and has no unnecessary details. The "skeleton" case does not have an external frame, the keys with switches are fixed directly on the board, which is the outer part of the case. These keyboards are minimalist, backlit and easy to clean. The gaming case has highlighted details that give the keyboard an unusual and aggressive look. These details are not functional. Gaming keyboards often include backlit keys and many additional controls such as macro keys and media control keys.
Switch types
Switches on mechanical keyboards are linear, tactile, and tactile with a click. Linear switches are pressed evenly, tactile switches have a certain barrier, after overcoming which pressing is clearly felt. And tactile switches with a click emit a specific sound, so the typing experience is similar to working on a typewriter.
One of the most popular mechanical switch manufacturers is Cherry. It has four main types of switches: Cherry MX Blue (tactile with click), Cherry MX Brown (tactile), Cherry MX Red (linear, light click), and Cherry MX Black (linear, hard click).
The companies Kailh, Gateron, Greetech produce analogs of Cherry switches, and Logitech Romer-G, SteelSeries QS1 make switches with a different design. Often the analogs have the same types of switches (Kailh Blue is a copy of Cherry MX Blue), and the price of such keyboards is usually much lower.
Additional functions
Keyboards come in non-backlit, single-color, and full-color backlit. Most mechanical keyboards connect via USB, they also have PS / 2 connectivity, which provides lower latency, but the backlight does not work with this connection.
Some keyboards have additional connectors for connecting other devices: mice or headsets. In this case, the keyboard has several connection wires that act as an extension cord.
With a detachable cable, it is much easier to transport the keyboard, and if damaged, the cable can be replaced with a new one.
Advanced keyboards support pressing any number of keys at once, and all these keystrokes will be recorded. The mode is called NKRO (from English - N-Key Rollover).
Some keyboards come with an advanced configuration that includes a palm rest, a carrying case, and a keycap removal tool. There are accessories such as rubber O-Rings, which are attached to the inside of the keycap and allow you to damp the sound when typing.
Reference article based on the expert opinion of the author.
Such an important thing as a keyboard is usually not given importance. And it’s completely in vain: choosing a model for yourself that will help you spend your work day or weekend with great comfort is also an art. Of course, you can just buy something affordable for a hundred or two rubles and get used to it, considering it all an inevitable evil, or you can buy something comfortable and enjoy life. Office or home, freelance or gaming - there are keyboards for all occasions.
To be honest, we hit her a lot more than anything else. Even a refrigerator that doesn't want to open up to the world doesn't earn as many cuffs as this hapless input device. In those cases when the button has accidentally sunk, an apple bone has hit the button, or the keyboard has suddenly lost the signal from the receiver (sometimes it happens), a hellish revenge on an innocent device begins.
In general, we will start our extensive guide by choosing a keyboard model. type.
Selecting a keyboard by type
As soon as you walk into a store (online or offline), a huge selection of keyboards is presented to your attention. Black, white, wide, narrow, flat, convex, scary, graceful ... It is not surprising to get confused here, especially for those who have so far used only the most primitive 107-key mechanical devices.
Moreover, it is impossible to narrow down the “choice by type”. There are many types.
For example, number of keys... Of course, you can limit yourself to the standard "Microsoft-style" 107 keys. And leave. Or you might think and take a keyboard with additional multimedia keys. Or playroom. Or with the left number pad.
Or by input type... Three main communities can be provisionally distinguished:
- Something as simple as above, wired or not;
- Something with + 20/50 / unlimited keys on any sneeze. Such solutions are suitable for those who can (both personally and with the appropriate interface) customize everything for themselves. For example, on my keyboard, the window switch button is reassigned to Ctrl + F4. It is convenient to close windows, especially in any browser or Word, and is used constantly.
By the way, for a long time there have been universal programs that reassign both the necessary hotkeys for the user and the dedicated keys - if the manufacturer of your keyboard did not deign to take care of this or did it with crooked hands. Comfortable.
- The keyboard is divided into two halves. It is mainly produced by the same Microsoft who invented it, and is suitable exclusively for those who dial a lot with the "blind ten-finger method." Not suitable for those who poke with one finger or learned to type from childhood on the Optima typewriter. There is nothing more to say about this type of keyboards.
The type can also be called ergonomics: is it there or not. I deliberately highlighted this in a separate paragraph, since the "Microsoft" keyboard is also called "ergonomic", and for some reason a request for such keywords in Russian in search engines displays mostly only them.
But, as mentioned above, these "two-half" monsters are convenient for those who studied a strictly defined type of set. And there are ergonomic keyboards in different ways, since there are many manufacturers of keyboards (about them a little below): there may be something wavy (for example, Logitech Wave), there may be "recessed" keys, it is generally not clear what is with the keys anywhere ... They will be convenient for those who type a lot. Probably.
You can also choose a keyboard by type of substrate: membrane, mechanical or island. By the way, the former are the majority in the segment of desktop models, the latter are mostly found in laptops, and can be convenient both for those who spend most of their time with a laptop and for those who need a silent input device.
Mechanical is by no means something in between, it is something more inconvenient than membrane in terms of dust, dirt, apple crumbs and pits, but it is more reliable. For inexpensive gaming keyboards - it is the most, especially the advantage is estimated after violent battles in Dota.
Keyboard type by manufacturer(yes, there is one) directly correlates with the price of the product: the more expensive, the more sophisticated, but also better quality. Usually. Among the budget devices are devices manufactured by Dialog, Defender, Genius, Microbit (thousands of them!), As well as all other "no-name" or "knee-sized" devices.
Logitech, Razer, Microsoft and Corsair, as well as other lesser-known and rare brands, are considered advanced and generally top-end. We will talk about them in more detail closer to the end of the text.
Finally, we can also mention the different layouts: American and British. In the British layout, the Enter key occupies two rows of the keyboard, but in the main row there is one more key (twelve, not eleven). Also, due to the reduction of the left "shift" key, an additional key has been added, which is usually not needed by anyone even for nothing.
Manufacturers can be perverted in their own way: Lenovo in laptops, for example, often has the lowest left key not Ctrl, but Fn, which sometimes causes a ton of curses when instead of the usual Ctrl + combinations, you get the most idiotic Fn +.
But there are also really convenient solutions. For example, Logitech (no, they didn't pay me, I just really like the brand) long ago came up with a very convenient trick: they brought the Insert key to the top panel in the Break / Print Screen block, and doubled Delete.
Surely, those who type a lot have come across an unpleasant Word function: you accidentally press Insert and all the letters are then eaten. You can forget about it with such a small pleasantness. True, the newest Word does not have this, but not everyone uses them. By and large, insert is really not really needed.
Choosing a keyboard by design
In a separate section, we'll talk about keyboard design. There are too many of them to fit into one paragraph.
Standard keyboards
An ordinary full-size model with a classic key layout is called a standard keyboard. Its individual modules are non-removable, drivers are never needed (even a very old computer has everything by default), and it is this that is called the "standard Microsoft keyboard".
There are just as many keys as there should be in a regular keyboard, you won't find anymore. Such solutions are as simple as a felt boot, cheap, unpretentious, they can be gouged without any regret. And go buy the same cheap. Or take it for free. The colors are all the colors of the rainbow. If you don't want anything, or you want to make fun of color, the standard keyboard is your choice.
However, you can also play with them: special programs (there are many free analogs) can program certain actions for you or call applications using assigned "hot keys", so you can make candy even from a regular keyboard. If not laziness.
The keyboard is a kind of intermediary translator between you and the computer. With its help, you enter information in a language you understand, and converts the input data into a language that the machine can understand. Question "How to choose a keyboard" very important because the quality, comfort and productivity of working with a PC depends on it. The correct choice of keyboard is especially relevant for those who work a lot with text documents and (or) spreadsheets. This article will cover the main aspects to look out for when choosing a keyboard for your computer.
Wired or wireless keyboard. What to choose?
The classic way to connect your keyboard to is with a wired connection. Wired keyboards are inexpensive and convenient, there is no dependence on batteries, the possibility of interference that affects the radio frequency path through which data is transmitted to the computer is excluded. On the other hand, the wire somewhat ties you to the system unit, so it will be difficult to control the computer, leaning back comfortably in a chair, for example, when watching a movie from the screen.
Choice of a wired keyboard. PS / 2 or USB?
When choosing a wired device, you need to decide on a connection connector - PS / 2 or USB? It depends on how many USB ports you have in the system unit, how many of them are busy, and how many you plan to connect in the future. Is there a PS / 2 connector at all (in many modern motherboards, this connector is absent, as outdated, or it has been replaced with one universal one for a mouse or keyboard). In the absence of a PS / 2 port, there will be only one choice - a USB keyboard. With its availability and a large number of occupied USB ports, it would be more rational to buy a PS / 2 keyboard. True, there is a nuance here: now it is difficult to find a PS / 2 keyboard, the overwhelming majority of them are produced in a USB version. In this case, a penny USB - PS / 2 adapter will help you.
Adapter USB - PS / 2
Choosing a wireless keyboard
If you opted for a wireless connection, then check with a consultant in the store how to connect: it can be a radio frequency (radio channel) or Bluetooth channel. A keyboard connected via bluetooth will be compatible with any device that has this communication channel and implies the ability to enter from the keyboard (hardware media players, laptops, tablets, SmartTVs, etc.). To connect a bluetooth keyboard with a computer, the system unit must be equipped with an internal or external (connected to a USB port), a special device - an adapter.
The most common wireless connection is radio frequency (RF). A miniature receiver is sold with a wireless RF keyboard and can be plugged into any free USB connector on the system unit.
The wireless keyboard is convenient, modern, but has a significant drawback - it is dependence on batteries or accumulators, which need to be charged or changed from time to time. The range of wireless keyboards is up to 20 meters.
Keyboard type
If earlier, at the dawn of the development of computers, there was one type of keyboard used everywhere (for office work, games and multimedia), then with the development of the industry, they began to be subdivided by purpose. Keyboards come in 3 main types: office, gaming, and multimedia.
Gaming keyboards or gaming
Keyboards of this type are considered the most reliable because they are designed for very heavy use. Typically, gaming keyboards are equipped with mechanical keys and a wired connection interface. The range of gaming keyboards is wide enough. On sale you can see both the simplest, in which the cursor keys and often used in games are simply painted in a different color, and the most "sophisticated", with an internal memory for storing game profiles, an LCD display, etc. etc.
Gaming keyboard If you purchased a computer for gaming, then the gaming keyboard is your choice.
Multimedia keyboards
Multimedia keyboards are chosen by those whose computer acts as a home multimedia center for listening to music and online radio, watching videos and photos. This type of keyboard has additional function keys to control software audio and video players. The user gets the ability to quickly rewind music tracks, adjust the sound level, control the video, by pressing a couple of keys.
Multimedia keyboard Office keyboards
Office keyboards are produced both in the usual, classic version and in the ergonomic one. The ergonomic option is recommended for those who spend most of their time at the computer typing and editing text documents. Its design allows the hands not to get tired for a long time during long work and contributes to an increase in the speed of typing. This is achieved by spaced the left and right sides of the keyboard by a certain angle. In addition, ergonomic keyboards are equipped with palm rests, height and angle adjustment.
Ergonomic keyboard Keyboard Key Mechanism
The "responsiveness" of the keyboard depends on the mechanism of the keys. This concept includes the level of comfort from working with it, tactile sensations from contact with the keys. The most common mechanisms are membrane, mechanical and combined (membrane-mechanical).
Membrane keyboards
The membrane mechanism is the cheapest. The closing and opening mechanism is made using a three-layer technology, where the upper and lower layers are current conductors, and the middle layer is an insulator. When you press a key, the top layer bends and closes the contact.
How the membrane keyboard works The disadvantages of a membrane keyboard are poor feedback with it, the key must be pushed to the end, which reduces the resource of the keyboard
Mechanical keyboards
Mechanical keyboards use a mechanical contact breaker to enhance tactile feedback to the keyboard. Mechanical keyboards provide a high level of computer comfort, the so-called keyboard feel. Due to the mechanical release, the key does not need to be pushed to the end, which contributes to the ease of working with the keyboard.
How a mechanical keyboard works Membrane mechanical keyboards
This type of mechanism combines the advantages of a membrane keyboard and a mechanical keyboard. The lightness and low cost of the membrane keyboard is complemented by the feedback of a mechanical keyboard. In the membrane-mechanical mechanism, feedback is achieved by the presence of a rubber cap in the key, which, when pressed, closes the contact on the membrane. However, in this keyboard, the key must be pushed to the end. Keyboards with this mechanism are the most common for use with computers and laptops.
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Today, every office worker knows that a good keyboard is the key to high-quality and fast work at a computer. This control module allows you to type and edit texts, create tables, write code while programming, search the Internet for the necessary information. Many people mistakenly believe that quality models of such computer accessories are expensive, but this is not the case. There are many alphanumeric manipulators on the modern market that can serve for a long time and soundly, but at the same time are sold for a minimal price. To understand which models belong to this category of products, we will take a look at the TOP 5 of the best cheap keyboards of 2017.
Keyboard Sven Standard 301
This keyboard model is ideal for both office and homework. It meets all the requirements of such a computer accessory and is astonishingly cheap at the same time.
- Delivery set and design. The Sven Standard 301 package is as simple as possible. It includes the input device itself and a warranty card that is valid for a year. In terms of design, the keyboard is fully consistent with the status of budget models. It is made of black plastic. The front panel contains 104 keys, an inscription indicating the name of the manufacturer's brand, dotted plastic inserts (in the upper right corner and above the arrow buttons). The upper part of the bottom of the keyboard is equipped with retractable stands that slightly raise the top of the pointing device for greater convenience. English letters and command keys are white, while Russian designations are highlighted in dark red. The dimensions of the device are 436x25x136 mm. The length of the cord is one and a half meters. Connection type - USB. A characteristic feature of the design is the absence of empty space around the buttons (in other words, after the extreme keys, the manipulator ends immediately). Another highlight of the design is that the keys are not recessed inside the plastic case, but rise slightly above it. We will talk about the role of such a construction below.
- Supplements. Basically, there are no additional buttons and slots on this keyboard. The only auxiliary button is the key that launches the calculator. It is located between the F12 button and the Print Screen. Otherwise, this is the most common, unremarkable model for work.
- Advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of the Sven Standard 301 is the key travel. All buttons work as they should, without any problems reacting to pressing. There are no "brakes" between pressing a key and executing a command. Another important property of the model is the design of its buttons. As mentioned above, they are slightly raised above the surface of the case. This is necessary so that the plastic cap can be removed, and the user can clean the membrane from dust and debris. By the way, the elevation also provides protection against moisture ingress. If a person spills some tea, coffee or lemonade on the keyboard, this will not affect the performance of the manipulator. All that is needed is to remove the cap and wipe the flooded area. As for the cons, there are very few of them here. Probably the most important of these is the lack of a wrist rest. At first, when working, discomfort may arise, but over time it will disappear. A weak minus can be considered the presence of a key that activates the calculator. No, it does not interfere with work in any way, but it would be better if the developers placed a more useful button in its place.
Gemix KB-160 keyboard
This type of keyboard is ideal for those who like simplicity and practicality. This model is simple in everything - from the general design to the interface. However, it has amazing performance and, most importantly, is quite cheap.
- Completion and external performance. The simplicity of Gemix KB-160 begins to be felt even before unboxing. The keyboard comes in a regular dark yellow cardboard box. No colorful drawings and other frills. Only an outline drawing of the device, its name and a description of the general characteristics. Inside the package there is the control module itself and a warranty card for it. Outwardly, the device looks simple, but pretty. Its front part is equipped with numeric, alphabetic and command keys (there are 104 in total). There are two retractable stands under the device (along the upper edges). A USB cable comes off the keyboard, through which it is connected to a PC. Dimensions of the model - 450x18x150 mm. The color of the command keys and English letters is white, while the color of the Russian letters and auxiliary symbols is bright red. Above the “arrows” is the brand name. In the upper right corner there are 3 lights that light up when a specific mode is activated: Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock.
- Functionality. The key travel is good enough. The buttons do not lock and immediately return to their original position after being pressed. The model supports almost all types of computer operating systems: from Windows 98 to the "eight". As for the most popular Windows 10 today, nothing is said about it. Although it is unlikely that the developers made such a strong omission and did not think about compatibility with the most popular computer OS. Therefore, most likely, Gemix KB-160 will work on the top ten, although it is better to specify it when purchasing.
- Advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of such a keyboard is its high functionality and low price. The disadvantage is the lack of a wrist rest, although you can get used to it over time.
Genius KB-110 Keyboard
This is a simple and at the same time high-quality model that will appeal to both office workers and some gamers, for whom, first of all, the functional qualities of the device are important, and not the presence of additional decorations (such as backlighting).
- Completion and design performance. This device is realized in a nice red-gray package made of thick cardboard. The package shows the keyboard itself, its name and, of course, the brand name. Inside there is a manipulator and a warranty card, which is valid for 1 year. The body of the model is made of black plastic. The front part is reserved for 104 keys. At the top of the lower part there are retractable stands as standard. The keyboard is rectangular in shape, although there is one highlight: it tapers slightly on the right, which gives it a more sophisticated look. The name of the manufacturer flaunts above the F6 and F7 buttons. Moreover, there is a kind of advertising component: under the Delete, End and Page Down keys, the address of the official website of Genius is registered. It is not hard to guess that this was done to attract visitors to your electronic resource. Above the numpad, there are standard 3 lights, each of which lights up when you press a specific key (Caps Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock). Command buttons and English letters are painted bright white. As for the Russian letter symbols, they were made dark beige. The dimensions of this computer accessory are as follows: 467x40x200 mm. Model weighs 648 g.
- Functionality. The size of the buttons is quite large, which is very convenient for those who need to type quickly and accurately. The key travel is good (no sticking). Command transmission speed is high enough. The engineers thought that many modern office workers dine right at their desk, and this sooner or later leads to the fact that spilled tea or coffee gets on the keyboard. However, Genius KB-110 is not afraid of exposure to a moderate amount of liquid, as it is equipped with a special protection.
- Advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage of this keyboard model is undoubtedly the size of the keys. Fast and high-quality performance of work on such a manipulator is ensured. In addition, the described model is universal. She will be admired by both office managers and gamers. The only flaw in this device can be considered the color of the Russian keys, which makes the usability dependent on external lighting. The fact is that in a dim light, Russian letters will be poorly distinguished, and this will negatively affect the speed of work.
Acme Standard Keyboard KS01
For anyone looking for an inexpensive, high-quality keyboard, the Acme Standard Keyboard KS01 is ideal. It has a pleasant design, it shows itself well when working, and most importantly, to acquire it, you will need to set aside a minimum of money.
- Delivery set and design. The package bundle at the time of purchase includes the keyboard itself and a warranty receipt, which is valid for quite a long time (some stores issue coupons valid for 60 months). A peculiar highlight of the model under consideration is its milky color. In terms of material, everything is standard: plastic was used in the manufacture. The keyboard is rectangular, but the top is slightly rounded. In total, this input device is equipped with 107 main buttons. Also, there are 3 additional command keys (they are located above the Print Screen, Scroll Lock and Pause / Break buttons). There are 3 light bulbs above the numpad, the role of which is known to any PC user. All symbols are black. Russian letters differ from English ones in that they have a grayish tint. A USB cable is detached from the keyboard, which provides a connection to the PC. The dimensions of the model are 450x151x19 mm.
- Functionality. Engineers equipped their creation with durable buttons. The keys on this model are reportedly capable of withstanding up to 10 million keystrokes. The keys react at a pressing force of 55 gf (although deviations from this value are possible, which are +/- 10 gf). The device is able to function without problems at temperatures from 0 to +45 degrees Celsius. The permissible ambient humidity values are 22–99%. The keyboard consumes 5V DC at the input. It supports both old and new versions of computer operating systems: from Windows 95 to "dozens". Three additional keys provide the execution of such commands: start a reboot, go to sleep mode, turn off the PC.
- Advantages and disadvantages. Undoubtedly, the main advantage of this keyboard is its price. Moreover, the developers' decision to equip their brainchild with additional buttons that make work much easier deserves praise. But among the minuses, one can single out the bad reaction of the buttons to commands. In particular, with a single press, the character can be printed twice. It also happens vice versa - after double-clicking, only one desired character appears on the screen. A weak minus of the model is the surface of its buttons. Some users note that it is unpleasant to the touch, although this discomfort disappears over time.
Keyboard Sven Standard 307M
This keyboard model combines a pleasant design, high functionality and an affordable price. It can suit both office workers and fans of computer games.
- Delivery set and external design. When purchasing this input device, the user receives the keyboard itself, as well as a warranty receipt valid for 12 months. The model is made of black plastic. The shape of the device is rectangular. The front part is reserved for 104 main keys. Also, there are 10 additional function buttons (located above the main ones). The shape of the auxiliary keys is slightly different from the main ones: they look like rounded rectangles. Moreover, additional buttons are smaller in size. In the upper right corner, the name of the manufacturer's brand flaunts. Slightly higher there are 3 lights that light up when you press Caps Lock, Scroll Lock or Num Lock. The USB cable is detached from the keyboard case and connects to the computer. Functional designations and English letters are painted white. As for the Russian letters, they are bright red. The dimensions of this model are 438x23x138 mm. The keyboard weighs 404 g.
- Functionality. The model under consideration has good button travel (no sticking). The command execution speed is quite high. The keyboard supports all the most popular versions of operating systems, and even affects such "old people" as Windows 98, ME and 2000. The auxiliary keys allow you to mute / unmute the sound, play / pause the audio track, add and decrease sound, open mail, update page, display "Favorites", return "Home", display a multimedia menu, enable search.
- Advantages and disadvantages. Price is the main advantage of the keyboard in question. Also, auxiliary keys can be extremely useful for the user. However, this product is not without flaws. In particular, at first there will be a strong smell of plastic in the room (it will take a couple of days to weather it). In addition, there may be a slight deflection in the center of the structure (when lifted onto the stands). In general, the durability of the buttons is good, but the engineers, for some reason, spent less time on the "space" key, as it can begin to dangle after 8-12 months of active use.
So we examined the TOP 5 of the best cheap keyboards of 2017. As you can see, all the models described have their pros and cons. However, the existing disadvantages pale against the background of the staggeringly low price and reasonably good functionality. We can say that these keyboards are unattainable leaders among the budget options for such computer accessories.
