Important points on how to choose keyboard
The keyboard is one of those pivotal PC gaming accessories that can help enhance your gameplay and improve your results. Plus, gaming keyboards can also be used for day to day work, so it’s important to invest in a keyboard that’s versatile and easy to adapt to your needs. Which brings the question, what steps should you go through as you pick the best keyboard for yourself? Here are some ideas to keep in mind!
Keyboard switch
What you need to keep in mind is that every keyboard has its own tactile attributes, and it all comes down to responsiveness, bottoming actions, key travel and so on. This all comes down to the type of switch you will use. There are different types of keyboard switches, each with their own different features. For example, silicone dome switches use rubber membranes that end up depressed when you are pressing on a key, and that’s what creates the connection.
Then you scissor switches that add plastic pieces to create a dome design. You can also find optical switches too, which work in a similar way to an optical mouse. And then we have the most popular type of keyboard switches, which are mechanical. These mechanical switches use a metal spring which depresses when you are pressing a key. While mechanical keyboards are the most expensive, they do have a robust construction, a longer lifespan and the response is very precise. Not only that, but they can withstand hundreds of thousands of key presses, which is extremely important if you are a gamer or a writer.
Keyboard layout
Not every keyboard has the same layout. Most gaming keyboards will go with the US layout, but there are also other layouts like the UK, German or French layout among many others. What this means is that keys are added to the keyboard in a different way. Most keyboards will have 104 keys, but they will also include special keys like multimedia, extra buttons for system control and so on. Checking the keyboard layout and seeing if it will be a good option or not is a very good idea.
Wired or wireless
In this case, it all comes down to personal preference. If you want to control your PC or play from the couch, then a wireless gaming mouse and keyboard can be a very good pick. However, if you’re looking for higher performance and dependability, then a wired keyboard is the better option. When you go with a wired keyboard, you don’t have to worry about a loss of signal or anything like that.
However, when you have a wired keyboard you don’t have as much versatility and there’s no portability either. So there are definitely pros and cons to this, which is something you need to take into consideration as much as possible. If you go wireless, you might have latency, and there’s also the risk you will run out of batteries. There are pros and cons on either side, so it’s important to understand those before making any purchase.
Ergonomics
Most PC gaming accessories these days are made with ergonomics in mind. Since we use our keyboards for hours and hours, it’s a very good idea to go for a keyboard that’s very easy to use. If it has a handrest, that’s a major plus because not every keyboard includes such an item these days. Handrests, a simple keyboard positioning that’s versatile and cool, all of these can really come in handy and they will make the process easier and more convenient.
Illumination
If you want to buy gaming keyboards, then one of the things to consider would be illumination. Yes, if you play in the dark, you do want to have a lighting system in place that helps ensure you touch the right keys at the right time. Adequate illumination might not seem like a whole lot at first, but it can indeed make a huge difference especially if you play in a room with poor outdoor lighting or if you end up using the keyboard during the night.
Price range
What you also have to keep in mind is the overall price range for the keyboard. Most people will choose an affordable keyboard for basic stuff, that falls within the $10 to $50 category. If you up the budget and go up to $100, this is where you can have more ergonomic features, maybe even a backlight, a touchpad and so on. This is the pricepoint where basic gaming keyboards tend to appear.
Of course, if you go from $100 to $200, then this is where you can find a lot of foldable, wireless and gaming keyboards. These keyboards also tend to have a lot of extra features and buttons. So if you want a good range of keyboards with a pretty impressive value for money, then this is the pricepoint that you want to focus on. There are options over $200, but those usually have even more accessories. For the most part, the best gaming keyboards will cost up to $200, with some manufacturers going over that price sometimes.
Extra function keys
Some keyboards, especially gaming ones will include extra function keys. These can be customized via software, which offers a lot of versatility when it comes to how you use them and the features you have access to. There are also multimedia keys that you can have on some keyboards, and these are actually a delight to use if you want to start/stop music for example. It’s great to have all kinds of extra features like this. Even if they are not exactly mandatory, the value they provide is great and you will be impressed with the experience.
Keyboard size
Whether you buy keyboards as gaming gifts or for yourself, it’s very important to figure out what keyboard size is ideal. Generally, most people will go with a regular sized keyboard. But there are also larger keyboards with extra buttons on the sides. At the same time, you will have small keyboards that remove the numpad just to be smaller and more portable. There are even gaming models designed to be smaller, so you can take them with you at a LAN party.
Software
When you want to buy gaming keyboards, it’s a good idea to check their drivers and software. What you will notice is that most gaming keyboard manufacturers have their own software you can download and install. This includes the driver, but also software to help customize all your keys and buttons. In doing so, you get to have a much better experience, and the results as a whole can be very impressive.
Conclusion
Finding the best gaming keyboards is something that takes quite a bit of time and effort. That’s why it’s very important to avoid any rush and just focus on making the keyboard-finding process as fast and as convenient as possible. Use that to your advantage, pick the best keyboard based on the tips and tricks listed above, and you will have a very good experience. Also, don’t rush, study the specifics and features of each keyboard so you can find the ideal one that suits your needs. It might take a little bit to narrow down the right model, but it will be well worth it!