Notes

Appearance

Keyboard ​

Size ​

  1. Full size keyboard (100%):

    • Full number pad
    • Home key cluster
    • F-Keys
    • Arrow keys

  2. 1800 Compact (100%):

    • Same as Full size keyboard
    • Without any dividing/empty space

  3. Ten Key Less (TKL) (more like 17 key less):

    • Similar to Full size keyboard but without the number pad

  4. 75% Layout Keyboard:

    • Similar to TKL, Includes Home cluster, F-Keys, but all jammed together
    • Glorious GMMK Pro (~ ₹15,000/- Bare bones)

  5. 80% Layout Keyboard:

    • Similar to 75% layout
    • Spacing between F-Key row and rest of the layout

  6. 65% Layout Keyboard:

    • Similar to 75% without F-Keys
    • With arrow keys

  7. 60% Layout Keyboard:

    • Similar to 65% without arrow keys
    • Standard layout

  8. 40% Layout Keyboard:

    • Only Alphabet keys and arrow keys

  9. Other unique shapes and sizes

    • Ergonomic Keyboards
    • Contoured Keyboards
    • Left handed Keyboards
    • Gaming Keyboards: Support full N key rollover (correctly handle several simultaneous keystrokes)
    • Wireless Keyboards: RF (needs a dongle) and Bluetooth Keyboards
    • Roll-up Keyboards
    • Projection Keyboards

Types ​

  1. Membrane Keyboard:

    • Affordable
    • Electrical contact between keys and the membrane layer underneath
    • Quite
    • More force required to register each key-stroke

  2. Mechanical Keyboards:

    • Consist of individual key-switches that are much more tactile and responsive to key-press
    • Durable

Mechanical Switches ​

Switch Manufactures:

  1. Cherry MX:

    • Blues Switches:

      • Typing (typiests)
      • Loudest
      • Most Tactile
      • Count: 2

    • Reds Switches:

      • Better for Gaming
      • Less tactile
      • Smooth switch
      • Count: 2

    • Brown Switches:

      • Half way switch: Smooth and little tactile
      • Count: 3

    • Clear Switches:

      • Slightly stiffer brown switch
      • Count: 1

    • Green Switches:

      • Slightly stiffer blue switch
      • Count: 0

    • Black Switches:

      • Slightly stiffer red switch
      • Count: 0

  2. Topre switches:

    • Half way between mechanical switches and rubber/membrane switches

Categories:

  1. Tactile Key Switches: A small tactile bump provides resistance while the switch itself is practically inaudible. Versatile performers for a variety of typing tasks

    • Zeal PC Zilents V2 - (mushy, less sound)
    • Zeal PC Zealios V2 + (sound)
    • Novelkeys Box Royal
    • Kailh Brown
    • Drop + Invyr Holy Panda
    • Massdrop Halo Clear
    • Massdrop Halo True - (more force req, metal sound)
    • Omron Romer G
    • Buckling spring switches
    • Cherry MX Brown + (light)

  2. Linear Key Switches: Linear switches are close to silent. To actuate a linear switch, you must push it all the way down, like a membrane key

    • Kailh Speed Silver
    • Kailh Red
    • Gateron Black Ink - (force)
    • Novelkeys Cream
    • C3 Tangerine 62g + (low force)
    • Zeal PC Tealios V2 (gritty, Heaviest)
    • Zeal PC Roselios - (Soft)
    • Cherry MX Red

  3. Clicky Key Switches: Featuring a distinct click sound and tactile resistance that must be overcome to register a keystroke. Often preferred by typiests

    • NovelKeys Sherbet + (Sharp feedback, loud)
    • NovelKeys x Kailh Box Jade + (heavy)
    • NovelKeys x Kailh Box Navy
    • Kailh Blue + (granny, fake blue, halo sound)
    • Kailh Box White
    • Cherry MX Blue - (Louder)

Key-Caps ​

Types of plastic:

  1. ABS: Standard plastic

  2. PBT: More premium one slightly grainier

Products ​

  1. IBM Model M: Buckling spring switches / Stock keycaps

    • Manufactured: 1985

  2. DAS Keyboard 4: Cherry MX Brown switches / ABS Doubleshot keycaps

  3. POK3R: Cherry MX Blue switches / PBT Doubleshot keycaps

  4. WHITEFOX: Cherry MX Clear switches / Stock keycaps

  5. Cooler Master Novatouch TKL: Topre switches / Stock keycaps

  6. Cherry G81-3000:

    • Manufactured: 1989

  7. Keychron Q1

  8. Keychron K2

  9. Keychron K8 Pro

Typing Tools ​