How to Shop for a Mechanical Keyboard (2024): Switches, Materials, and Layouts Explained
A full-size keyboard has a structure with all the pieces you’d ever want, and normally fairly a number of keys you don’t too. The complete-size keyboard is probably the most well-known keyboard structure, and likewise one of many largest, consisting of a major cluster of letters and numbers, a separate row for operate keys (F1 by way of F12), separate arrow keys and extras, and a quantity pad. This structure is greatest you probably have a number of desk area to spare and need one thing acquainted.
A 96 p.c keyboard is a small step down from a standard full-size. Additionally known as “1800,” the 96 p.c structure maintains nearly each key whereas eradicating an excellent quantity of useless area. Named after the Cherry G80-1800, this structure strikes the quantity pad nearer to the alphanumeric keys, pushes the arrow keys down a bit, and strikes a number of the additional keys into the area above the quantity pad, making an awesome compromise for customers who want a quantity pad however don’t love the large horizontal footprint of a standard full-size.
A TKL keyboard is a good compromise between the practicality of a bigger board and the compactness of a smaller one, sustaining all the pieces most customers want whereas slicing the numpad out of the equation. The TKL title refers back to the board being “ten-key-less,” referring to the removing of the 10-key quantity pad in comparison with a full-size structure. Within the fashionable “premium” keyboard area, there are additionally FRL (function-row-less) TKL keyboards, the place the highest row of F1–F12 are minimize off to save lots of much more area
A 75 p.c keyboard cuts issues down even additional, and is a reasonably current structure to enter the mainstream. This does the identical to a TKL because the 1800 does to a full-size keyboard, compressing the arrow keys into the aspect and shifting round all the opposite keys to avoid wasting area. Among the most up-to-date 75 p.c keyboards embrace Razer’s BlackWidow v4 75% and the Mode Sonnet.
A 65 p.c keyboard takes a bit off the highest of the 75 p.c, eradicating the highest operate row in alternate for a operate layer over the primary quantity row. These keyboards are pretty fashionable amongst avid gamers for his or her compact, transportable design, plus the arrow keys are nonetheless current for particular video games.
A 60 p.c keyboard is the smallest mainstream structure, eradicating the alphanumeric keys from the remainder of the keyboard and transplanting them into an extremely compact type issue. This structure is nice for individuals who wish to save area, however it is going to require some familiarity with operate layers, because the F-row, arrow keys, and fairly a number of different multimedia controls don’t have devoted keys. Whereas there are fairly a number of completely different variations of the 60 p.c structure, the 2 most typical are the standard ANSI structure, paying homage to gaming keyboards just like the POK3R or the compact keyboard discovered on a laptop computer, and the niche-but-beloved HHKB structure.
A 40 p.c keyboard removes the quantity keys and some different modifier keys. This structure will normally depend on a number of operate layers to cowl all the mandatory capabilities, and it permits for environment friendly typing with out having to maneuver your palms round a lot.
The Sound of a Keyboard
For many individuals, the sound of a keyboard is without doubt one of the most necessary facets when searching for one. Normally, keyboards are described as being both “clacky” or “thocky.” These two phases are sometimes used to indicate {that a} keyboard sounds good in particular, considerably oppositional methods.
A “thocky” keyboard could have a deeper and extra rounded typing sound that normally comes from utilizing an FR4 (flame retardant fiberglass) or polycarbonate plate, together with PBT keycaps, whereas a “clacky” keyboard could have a higher-pitched, sharper typing sound, and can sometimes come from utilizing aluminum, brass, or carbon fiber within the plate and case, together with ABS keycaps.
