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