How to Buy a Gaming Keyboard: Crucial Criteria for Players

The gaming keyboard can withstand an almost unlimited number of keystrokes. With it, the gamer controls the character or equipment, moves objects, and switches game modes. Of course, such a gadget won’t help if a user wants to play at TonyBet, but it’s fantastic for those who prefer more challenging games. Here’s how to choose the best device.

How It Differs From a Standard Keyboard

Gaming keyboards often have an unusual shape, larger size, bright backlighting and a handstand.

The main difference from the usual keyboard is the presence of additional keys that can be programmed for certain actions, such as jump, health refill or change weapons. To do this, you need to install on your computer, special software from the manufacturer. Sometimes gaming models are equipped with small displays and joysticks, built-in memory, necessary to save the profile settings.

Types of Gaming Keyboards

Membrane

It consists of a circuit board, from which each button is in contact, and a rubber membrane with protruding domes. When you press a key, the dome of the membrane closes the circuit and fixes the action. The length of the keystroke is 3,5-4 mm.

Advantages of membrane keypads:

• Compactness – they can be equipped with low keys with a short stroke.
• Quiet operation – rubber or silicone membrane damps the key strokes.
• Versatility – suitable for home and office.
• High typing speed – low keys are easier to press than high, shaped keys.
• Protection against getting wet – the membrane is waterproof.

Some gaming models are equipped with additional drains: if you accidentally spill liquid on the keyboard, it will quickly drain onto the table top without getting on the moisture-sensitive electronics.

However, there are some disadvantages:

• Uneven stroke – caused by the fact that you have to first push the dome to respond, only then does the button go down.
• “Ghosting” – the so-called “ghost pressing” – the signal coming from the key you have not pressed.
• Instability – almost all membrane models have no auxiliary guides on the keys: if the user doesn’t get to the center of the button, the press may not occur.
• Problems with repair – if the membrane breaks, it must be completely replaced.

Because of these disadvantages, gamers often give up on membrane keyboards: they don’t read the player’s actions well enough and don’t respond quickly enough to pressure. These keyboards are perfect for those games that don’t require any speed (strategy games, for instance).

Mechanical

These keyboards have a mechanical switch, or switch, under each key. They don’t have the same unified layout as the membrane models. Mechanical keyboards have a capacity of about 50,000,000 keystrokes per key. The switch is triggered in the middle of the key stroke, so the computer captures the player’s action faster. Pressing it all the way down triggers a spring in the mechanism, which instantly returns the key to its original position.

Mechanical switches are divided into several types:

• Linear – pressed evenly, partially damped by special pads.
• Tactile – have a perceptible recoil due to the “tendril” located in the middle of the mechanism. The user can clearly define the moment of response.
• Haptic with a click has not only physical, but also audible feedback. The click is accompanied by a click, similar to those of typewriters.
• Short-stroke – buttons are of normal height, but work faster than standard ones. Recommended for MOBA and RTS where the speed of pressing keys is important.
• Low profile – much lower than a standard keyboard, with flat keys on the same level.

Disadvantages of mechanical keyboards:

• Relatively noisy operation.
• Poor tightness.
• High cost.

A variation of the mechanical keyboard – optical (optical-mechanical). It has mechanical moving elements, and inside the switch is an emitter, which sends an infrared beam to a special sensor. In optical models the keys are actuated already with a small amount of force and give minimal delay.

How to Choose a Gaming Keyboard

Size

There are two variants of mechanical gaming keyboards:

• Full-size – has a standard number of keys (104), NUM numeric block, function row (F1-F12). Some models have additional keys that can be programmed.
• Compact – without digital units, fits well in the limited space. Gamers rarely use miniature models. Some adjust the function keys to the necessary tasks with special programs.
• The layout of the keys may be different depending on the country of the manufacturer.

Case Type

There are different variants:

• Classic monolithic keyboard is comfortable, reliable, and has no unnecessary details.
• Folding models are divided into several sections that are easy to fold and transport. They’re equipped with a special locking mechanism to hold the parts together.
• The sliding keyboard consists of two self-contained elements. It’s convenient to use them separately, holding in your hands, for example, only a digital unit.
• Flexible models have the most interesting design. Their case doesn’t have a solid base, so such a keyboard can be rotated in different directions, twisted for transportation.

A number of manufacturers produce special gaming devices of different shapes and designs. Some models have a display that displays information about the course of the game. The body can be decorated with thematic images.

Material

The case of the keyboard is made of:

• Texolite
• Plastic
• Silicone
• Rubber
• Aluminium
• Wood and other materials.

Silicone or rubber models are soft and lightweight, but will not suit every gamer. Most gamers prefer the more massive, heavy, but durable plastic products. They are easier to fix in a static position.

Leland Guerrero

“Avid travel ninja. Devoted pop culture fanatic. Freelance coffee enthusiast. Evil analyst.”