Difference Between Different Types of Keyboards? Technology Explained!

What Is A Mechanical Keyboard?

A mechanical keyboard is a keyboard built with high-quality, typically spring-activated, key switches. These key switches vary based on the keyboard’s application or user preference.

While some of the first widely sold keyboards such as IBM’s Model M in the 1980’s utilized mechanical switches, the 1990s brought on a wave of inexpensive rubber dome keyboards that flooded the keyboard market.

Rubber dome keyboards represent over 90% of keyboards in use today and provide an inexpensive but dissatisfying feel and typing experience.

Mechanical keyboards raise the bar in every way. A mechanical keyboard’s switches, framing, functionality, type print methods, key construction, PCB board, LED lighting (sharpness, brightness, adjustability), and a slew of other features are far superior compared to traditional rubber dome keyboards.

Most of these improvements boil down to one thing – feel. Mechanical keyboards simply feel better than rubber dome keyboards.

Mechanical Switches

What Is A Membrane Keyboard?

A membrane keyboard is a computer keyboard whose “keys” are not separate, moving parts, as with the majority of other keyboards, but rather are pressure pads that have only outlines and symbols printed on a flat, flexible surface.

Very little, if any, tactile feedback is felt when using such a keyboard, and error-free blind typing is difficult.

Rubber Dome Membrane Switches.

What Is A Chiclet Keyboard?

A chiclet keyboard, or island-style keyboard, is a type of input device for electronic systems such as personal computers, calculators and remote controls that uses keys in the shape of small squares with rounded corners and straight sides, in the style of Chiclets, an American chewing gum brand.

What Is Key Travel?

Activation Point (or Operating Position) is the key travel distance where the key is actually recognized by the keyboard. Actuation force is the force required at this point. Put simply, it’s how hard you have to press the key for it to be recognized. Bottoming Out. Bottoming out is pushing a switch all the way down.

What do you mean by backlit keyboard?

A backlit keyboard is a keyboard where the keys are illuminated for viewing in dim or completely dark conditions. Backlit keyboards are popular with gamers for their suitability in darkened gaming environments, and for computer users in general for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

What are the different types of keyboards?

QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak and Other Keyboards. The standard layout of letters, numbers, and punctuation is known as a QWERTY keyboard because the first six typing keys on the top row of letters spell QWERTY. The QWERTY keyboard was designed in the 1800s for mechanical typewriters.

What Is The Butterfly Mechanism?

Apple created a new “butterfly” mechanism, which more evenly distributes the pressure on a single key than the traditional “scissor” mechanism. That supposedly means a more precise typing experience and less errors. It’s thinner because each key actually moves less when you press it.