Wired or Wireless?
| Parameter | Wired | Wireless |
| Space consumption | Usually take larger space as they have limited movement. | Can be easily moved/placed anywhere. |
| Power Source | Draws power from the PC. | Batteries must be replaced or recharged. |
| Latency | Usually has low latency. | Latency is usually higher than wired. |
| Connectivity | Connects via USB | Connects via Dongle/Bluetooth/Wi-Fi depending on the keyboard. |
| Build Quality | Often heavy in weight and strong build. | Focuses more on light weight, compromising a little on the build quality. |
Keyboard Sizes
- Typing and control – A-Z, Ctrl x 2, Shift x 2, Alt x 2, Win, Fn, Enter, Space, Backspace, Caps, Tab, Esc, []\;’,./.
- Number Keys row – 0-9, `-=.
- Arrow Keys – Up, Down, Left, Right.
- Function Keys – F1 to F12
- Editing Keys – Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause Break, Insert, Home, Page Up, Page Down, Delete, End, Right Click.
- Numpad – Num Lock, 0-9, Enter, /*-+..
| Keyboard Size | Key Count | Keyboard Name | Typing & Control Keys (48 Keys) | Number Keys – row (13 Keys) | Arrow Keys (4 Keys) | Function Keys (12 Keys) | Editing Keys (10 Keys) | Number Pad (17 Keys) |
| 100% | 104 | Full Size | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 96% | 100 | Compact Full Size | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4 of them are removed | Yes |
| 80% | 87 | Tenkeyless | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| 75% | 84 | Compact Tenkeyless | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3 of them are removed | No |
| 65% | 68 | Compact | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | only 3 | No |
| 60% | 61 | Mini | Yes | 1 less | No | No | only 1 | No |
| 40% – 50% | 49 to 51 | Non Standard Formats | Few of them are removed | No | Maybe | No | Maybe | No |
What is Backlit?
Backlit keyboards come with light positioned below the keys. The light can be seen around the key and within the character of the key. This improves the visibility of the key. Its very useful if you require to operate the keyboard in low light conditions. There are various types of backlights:
- Single color – A single color throughout the keyboard, often white/blue/red. Usually found in laptops.
- Multi color – Preprogrammed color options which can be toggled by using a key combination. (May or may not be zone wise)
- Zone wise programmable – The color can be set as per choice in each color zone of the keyboard.
- Individual key color – The color of each key can be set as per the user’s choice.
Membrane or Mechanical?
| Parameter | Membrane | Semi-Mechanical | Mechanical |
| Noise | Low | Low | Noisy |
| Cost | Low | Moderate | Expensive |
| Tactile Feadback | Low | Medium | Good |
| Durability | Low | Medium | High |
| Repairability | No | Almost No | Can be repaired |
Programable?
Few keyboards come with the option of being programable. It means that the user can customize the action which they wish to perform when the key is pressed. This is very useful for people who perform certain tasks on a regular basis. The usability of such keyboards heavily rely of the software which supports the keyboard. Corsair’s iCue software and Logitech’s GHub software are among the popular ones. They can include functionality like, multi key input, launching of a program or an application, key remapping, and others.
Extra Keys
Few keyboards come with some extra keys. They are designed to suit the needs of certain people for which the shortcuts are provided as separate buttons. Few examples are:
- Media Keys – Play/Pause, Increase and Decrease Volume, Mute, Move tracks, Volume Knob, etc.
- Clipboard Keys – Cut, Copy, Paste.
- Spatiality buttons – Calculator, File Explorer, Project, Turn off Input, etc.
- Keyboard with Trackpad
- Programable keyboards with extra buttons.
Multi Device Switch
These keyboards are often wireless Bluetooth keyboards which are paired with multiple devices and can which between then with just a press of a button. They are useful when a person works with multiple computers such as using a microcontroller, a server, rendering PC, phone, tablet, etc. Few of them can synchronize the clipboard too.
Recommendation
One must choose a keyboard as per the user’s preference and needs. Few suggestions are given below:
| Purpose | Very Minimum | Daily Sometime Use | Daily Use | Traveller |
| Usage | < 1 hours per day | < 4 hours per day | > 3 hours per day | > 3 hours per day |
| Wired | Optional | Optional | Recomended | No |
| Size | 75% and above | 80% and above | 80% or 100% | 75% |
| Backlit | No | Optional | Recomended | Optional |
| Type | Membrane | Semi-Mechanical | Semi-Mechanical or Mechanical | As per choice |
| Programable | Not required | Optional | Recomended | Optional |
| Some models | Any reputed brand | Low cost Gaming keyboards | Corsair K55 Pro or Corsair K55 Light | User’s Choice |