Types of Keyboards

Various Types of Keyboards

Definition of Keyboard:

• The keyboard is an input device.
• It has letter and number keys, and what are called function keys, computer specific task keys, that allow you, the user, to use an English-like language to issue instructions to an electronic environment.
• It is the primary input device. It uses a cursor to keep your place on the screen and to let you know where to begin typing. 
• Keyboards are an indispensible accessory for a computer.
• One of the most basic input devices, keyboards are used in navigation, execution of processes, programming and several other purposes.
• Several software based application directly derive their existence from a keyboard. For instance, social networking websites, programming languages, navigation over the computer menus etc. utilize a computer keyboard.

Standard Keyboard

• Though standard keyboards have undergone considerable changes in design over the last 20 years, their basic layout remains similar.
• The average number of keys on a regular keyboard is 105, though some older versions have keys in the range of 95-103.
• Even though standard keyboards are the most basic form of keyboards, they can have slight variations, especially in the manner the keys are placed.
• QWERTY keyboards are the most common and have the six alphabets Q, W, E, R, T, and Y in the first row, while in AZERTY keyboards these letters are replaced with A, Z, E, R, T, and Y in the first row.
• AZERTY keyboards are used primarily in French countries. Other forms include QWERTZ and Dvorak keyboards.

Ergonomic Keyboards

• Ergonomic keyboards are designed in such a way that typing can be done putting the least amount of stress on the fingers and wrist.
• This is a radical type of keyboard designed to prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, which causes numbness and tingling sensation in the hands and fingers after typing for a long duration.

Ergonomic keyboards come in two forms:

• As a single piece, where a group of keys have been split in such a way, that the angle at which the user places his or her wrist to type is the least stressful.
• In the form of separate pieces, each having a group of keys, so that the user can set the angle according to his or her convenience.
• Hence, these keyboards differ from the usual single piece keyboards that are straight and contain keys as one whole group.

Wireless Keyboards

• As the name suggests, these keyboards do not need to be connected to the computer via a wire.
• This makes it very convenient for the user to use the keyboard comfortably.
• Wireless keyboards use three basic types of connections, Bluetooth, Infrared (IR), and Radio Frequency to connect to the computer.
• All the three types of wireless keyboards need external power to function. In most models, the power comes from either 2 or 3 'AA' or 'AAA' batteries.
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• Rare models might have an included battery, which can be charged with the help of a USB cable. 
• In addition to this, all three types also use a transceiver, which connects to a port on the computer and maintains contact between the computer and the keyboard. 
• The best of the lot are Bluetooth keyboards.

• These keyboards connect using Bluetooth technology, and hence have the best range of about 30 feet. Moreover, they are also compatible with other devices that support Bluetooth technology. 
• Next in line are RF keyboards, which have a limited range of only about 6 feet, but are much cheaper than Bluetooth keyboards, and much more effective than IR keyboards.
• The latest models of RF keyboards have no issues like frequency disturbance, and can be the best bet if you do not need more than around 5 feet of freedom. 

Compact Keyboards

Compact keyboards are slim and usually do not have the numeric keypad that is present on the right side of other keyboards.

These are typically used in laptops, where sizing issues make it difficult to accommodate a standard keyboard.

These are not extremely small in size, but offer portability during travel and storage.

Internet Keyboards

The Internet is one of the main reasons why a majority of the people use computers these days.

Internet keyboards have special keys, called hot keys, which perform functions related to Internet usage.

Typical hot keys have functions like back, forward, bookmarks list, e-mail inbox, Google search, YouTube, shopping online, etc.

This makes browsing the Internet very convenient, as the user does not have to go through the process of clicking buttons via a mouse.

These days, many standard keyboards have adopted the concept of Internet keyboards by placing these buttons on the top, since almost every kind of work requires the use of the Internet.

Gaming Keyboards

As the name suggests, gaming keyboards are designed specifically for gamers. They include features meant to enhance gaming experience, as well as provide convenient usage for gamers.

They include features like volume control, key lighting, programmable keys, interchangeable keys, touch screens to customize the keyboard, in-built joysticks, fancy lighting, etc.

Virtual Keyboards

Virtual keyboards are software devices that let you input data just like a hardware keyboard.

They open up as an application and can be controlled by a mouse or via a touch screen.

They are mainly used in devices which do not necessarily require a keyboard, like a tablet or a smart-phone.

They are useful as they aid in making the size of the device smaller.

Virtual keyboards are also used in situations concerning security, as anything entered on an ordinary keyboard is recorded in a key log, leading to security risks associated with passwords or PIN numbers.