Find the Perfect Keyboard at bestware

Which is better: a rubber dome keyboard or a mechanical keyboard?

Inexpensive rubber dome keyboards have rubber membranes underneath the keycaps. When a key is pressed, the membrane is pressed against the circuit board beneath, closing a contact and registering the input. The biggest advantage of this technology is that it is inexpensive yet durable: even heavy typists in an office setting can use them for several years without any problems.

Well-designed rubber dome keyboards provide precise input and a crisp keystroke, making them ideal for office or home use. More expensive models offer additional features and are also suitable for gaming. In the high-end and gaming keyboards categories, a selection of mechanical keyboards is also available to purchase from bestware. These utilise more complex technology and are consequently slightly more expensive, as each individual key has its own self-contained switch unit complete with a spring mechanism.

Keyboards from brands such as Logitech, Corsair, Roccat and Razer use different switches from manufacturers such as Cherry, Omron, Kaihua, Kailh, Romer and Razer. What they all have in common is exceptional durability. Even when used by heavy typists or hardcore gamers, many mechanical keyboards easily last ten years or more. The well-known Cherry MX switches, for example, were designed to withstand over 50 million keystrokes without compromising precision, key travel or tactile feedback, and some models can withstand over 100 million keystrokes.

In what ways do mechanical keyboard switches differ?

The various switch types differ in the details:

• Linear switches glide smoothly from start to finish when pressed.
• Tactile switches, on the other hand, have a clearly defined actuation point that the user must overcome to trigger a key.
• Clicky switches provide audible feedback in the form of a clicking sound, as well as tactile feedback. While this can increase typing precision, it may be perceived as disruptive in very quiet office environments.

Other differences between the various switch types include actuation force, i.e. the resistance that must be overcome to press a key, and pre-travel. The shorter the pre-travel, the faster the point at which an input is registered is reached. This value differs from total travel, which indicates how many millimetres a single key travels until it reaches the bottom. The deciding factors when purchasing a mechanical keyboard on Bestware depend entirely on individual preferences.

The optimal gaming keyboard

For gamers, the most important features are anti-ghosting and full key rollover.

Anti-ghosting technology prevents any unintended additional inputs from being registered when adjacent keys are pressed simultaneously. Inexpensive keyboards use simplified internal circuitry, which can cause complex key combinations to trigger an additional key that wasn’t pressed. While this isn’t a problem in everyday office use, it’s a deal-breaker for serious gamers.

Key rollover, on the other hand, refers to the number of keys that can be pressed simultaneously. While a budget office keyboard typically offers only 3KRO, allowing for the simultaneous pressing of three keys, gamers are better off with 6KRO. High-end keyboards support N-key rollover, allowing all keys to be pressed simultaneously.

The additional USB and audio ports on the keyboard are convenient for connecting a headset directly to the keyboard, for example. If you frequently use complicated key combinations, consider purchasing a programmable keyboard with additional macro keys. You can use software to assign any combination, or even complex sequences of keystrokes for multiple consecutive actions, to these additional special keys.

Most gaming keyboards connect to the PC via a cable using one or more USB ports. Since Bluetooth and Wi-Fi transmission is now very mature and operates with very low latency, gamers are also finding a growing selection of wireless keyboards. However, it’s important to keep an eye on the battery level of the keyboard.

Gaming keyboards often feature their own memory and extensive additional software. For example, models with RGB backlighting for individual keys can be programmed to assign different colours to different keys. Frequently used key combinations thus stand out immediately. In addition, the RGB LEDs provide the basis for programmable RGB lighting effects.

Versatile multimedia keyboards

Multimedia keyboards are characterised by various features. These include the ability to adjust the volume, either via a dedicated knob or keys on the keyboard.

Other special features of Windows multimedia keyboards include play/pause buttons for songs and videos in a playlist, skip buttons for moving to the next or previous track, and a button for opening a media folder.

Some wireless keyboard models feature a built-in touchpad. With this configuration, the keyboard can be used comfortably from your sofa at home. The range of a Bluetooth keyboard is typically up to 10 metres.

Ergonomic and affordable office keyboards

A comfortable office keyboard should offer good value for money and excellent ergonomic features, as well as quiet operation. If noise isn't a concern, frequent typists may also want to consider mechanical keyboards.

Wired models are usually a few euros cheaper than their wireless counterparts, but even an energy-efficient Bluetooth keyboard can easily last several consecutive days of intensive use without needing to be recharged. These keyboards can also connect wirelessly to a tablet or smartphone if you don’t just want to type on the touchscreen of your phone.

If you work with numbers a lot, look for a keyboard with a numeric keypad. A comfortable palm rest allows for continuous, fatigue-free use. For the most affordable package, complete sets consisting of a mouse and keyboard offer unbeatable value. Similar bundles are also available with wireless mice and keyboards.

LED keyboards and different key heights

If you often work in dimly lit environments, consider purchasing a backlit keyboard from bestware. This ensures the key labels are always clearly visible, whether you're working in a dimly lit office in the evening or gaming in your den. The intensity of the LED backlighting can usually be adjusted to multiple levels on most keyboards.

There are also significant differences in key height. As well as classic keyboards with full-height keys, laptop users — or anyone who prefers a particularly slim, elegant keyboard — often look for a flatter alternative.

To meet this demand, bestware offers a selection of keyboards with flat keys, just like those found on a laptop. Due to their design, these keys have a significantly shorter travel distance. Some users swear by them for faster, more fatigue-free typing, while others prefer the classic approach with full-height keys and longer travel distance.

If you’re looking for a compact gaming keyboard that saves space or a stylish, slim office keyboard for your desk, consider a tenkeyless keyboard without a numeric keypad.