| Layout There are a variety of keyboard | | | | mechanical keys, which tend to make a |
| designs and shapes from which to choose. | | | | clicking noise and feature better |
| Most computers come with a traditional | | | | defined "up" and "down" positions. |
| "straight" keyboard, which is the | | | | Others use a "membrane" technology, with |
| rectangular design we're all familiar | | | | a softer feel, which makes it easier to |
| with. Other companies produce a keyboard | | | | depress the keys. Some people like the |
| that splits the letters down the middle, | | | | clear feeling of "up and down," and |
| producing two halves, which are then | | | | others like the softer touch and quieter |
| angled outward to better conform to the | | | | action of membrane keyboards. Choose |
| shape of our body. This design is | | | | what feels most comfortable to you. |
| particularly good for people with broad | | | | Features The standard keyboard is the |
| chests, as their elbows are already | | | | 101-key QWERTY version (named after the |
| pushed slightly outward, naturally | | | | first five letters in the upper left row |
| angling their wrists toward each other. | | | | of the keyboard), and includes cursor |
| Conversely, thinner people may find a | | | | keys, function keys, and a 10 key |
| traditional "straight" keyboard more | | | | numeric pad on the right side. Some |
| comfortable. | | | | additional features you may want to |
| There are also a number of "alternative" | | | | consider are: Cursor Keys in an inverted |
| keyboards available. Contoured keyboards | | | | "T" arrangement: The arrow keys that let |
| offer recessed keys to better fit the | | | | you move the cursor can come in two |
| natural placement of fingers. Chording | | | | arrangements: side-by-side (arranged in |
| keyboards have fewer keys, allowing you | | | | a single row) or in an "inverted T" |
| to keep your fingers fixed on a given | | | | configuration. The inverted T |
| key. (They work by using combinations of | | | | configuration is more intuitive (and |
| keys instead of individual keystrokes.) | | | | often more comfortable!), and makes it |
| There are even variations on letter | | | | easier to navigate pages, play games, |
| arrangement; the Dvorak Layout keeps the | | | | etc. |
| same position of each key, but assigns | | | | Special function keys: Some newer |
| different letters to each one. Commonly | | | | keyboards have added extra keys to the |
| used letters such as "A", "O", "I", etc. | | | | traditional 101 layout-common examples |
| are placed in the "home" row, and under | | | | include the "Windows" key, Internet |
| the strongest fingers. These layouts can | | | | keys, or multimedia keys. These can be |
| actually improve efficiency | | | | very useful for frequently repeated |
| significantly, but require some time to | | | | tasks, reducing keystrokes, improving |
| learn. | | | | efficiency, and reducing your risk of a |
| There is no truly conclusive evidence | | | | repetitive stress injury. If the keys |
| that alternative keyboards reduce the | | | | don't initially do exactly what you |
| risk of developing musculoskeletal | | | | want, some can even be reprogrammed to |
| disorders. Some of these keyboards have | | | | execute a macro for the desired task. |
| been shown to reduce hand pain, but it | | | | Detachable Numeric Pad: For people who |
| may take weeks or months until you're | | | | use the numeric pad |
| aware of the reduction. However, if not | | | | extensively-accountants, for example-it |
| set up properly these keyboards may make | | | | may make sense to purchase a keyboard |
| postures worse, so always follow proper | | | | with a detachable 10 key module (this |
| setup and usage tips. | | | | allows a much greater range of |
| Size Some keyboards have a smaller | | | | positioning). Not all keyboards even |
| distance between the keys, which may be | | | | have a numeric keypad on the right side. |
| more comfortable for children or people | | | | Some keyboards are produced without |
| with small hands. These keyboards can | | | | them, and are therefore narrower. This |
| also be useful for people with little | | | | can be very useful for people who do not |
| space on their desk top-but don't hurt | | | | use the 10 keys-the mouse or trackball |
| yourself just to save space. | | | | can be brought closer to the keyboard, |
| Feel There's often a distinct "feel" to | | | | leading to a better position for the |
| typing on each keyboard, and it's due to | | | | arm. These keyboards also take up less |
| the way keyboards translates your | | | | space on the desktop. |
| keystrokes into text. Some use | | | | |