Every Computer Keyboard Explained in 8 Minutes

Membrane keyboard. Membrane keyboard is the most used type of keyboard in the world, and it is commonly used for office setups, store cashiers, budget computer builds, and many more. So membrane keyboards are everywhere because what's inside is very basic, just rubber domes and also membrane sheet underneath it. And these materials are very cheap and easy to produce. Other than being cheap, membrane keyboards are also great because they're quiet. This is possible because the rubber domes inside absorb each key press, so they don't produce that much noise when we type. However, since membrane keyboards use rubber material, they're also not very durable. So over time, when we press something, some keys get registered and some do not. And when the keys are not working, we can't just replace or fix them individually since every key is connected to the same membrane sheet. So in the end, people just throw it away and buy a new one. This is why some people don't like membrane keyboards and prefer using mechanical keyboards instead. Mechanical keyboard. Mechanical keyboard is the type of keyboard that can be customized, and it is also widely used by a lot of people, such as gamers, programmers, writers, or anyone who types a lot on a daily basis. So unlike membrane keyboards that use a shared rubber sheet, mechanical keyboards have one individual switch under every single key. This means that if some keys are not working, we can simply remove the broken switches, place the new one, and it will work like normal again. Oh yeah, talking about keyboard switches, there are several types of them. Linear, clicky, and tactile. Each of these switches produces a different type of sound when you press them. Red switches are linear. They're completely smooth and sound quiet with no bump at all. This is what gamers prefer since nothing interrupts fast and rapid key presses. Blue switches are clicky and loud, which feels satisfying for typing, but it is way too noisy for shared spaces like offices or libraries. So some people don't like it. And brown switches are tactile. They still have that bumpy feedback feeling, but without the loud sound. This makes them great for typing without being noisy. Anyway, mechanical keyboards also come in different sizes, but the most popular ones are the full-size and the 10-key-less keyboard. The full-size version includes a numpad on the right side, which is very useful for people who work with numbers like Excel or accounting. And the 80%, or also called TKL, has no numpad, but this smaller size is great for a more minimalist look on the desk. Scissor switch. Scissor switch is a type of keyboard that has a slim and low-profile design, and it is often built into almost every laptop and also slim external keyboards like the Apple Magic Keyboard. This slim design is possible because instead of using a regular switch, just like a mechanical keyboard, it uses an X-shaped switch that resembles a scissor, so it doesn't require as much space to press the keys. Because of this, scissor switch keyboard becomes very light and often paired with a tablet, which means it's great for a freelancer or a remote worker who works from one place to another. It's also very quiet because it uses rubber dome, just like the membrane keyboard. But remember, scissor switch keyboards are not very durable. So not only does the rubber dome wears down over time, scissor switch can also break faster if we press something rapidly and repeatedly. So yeah, this keyboard is definitely not good for gaming, which is why people who game go for optical keyboards instead. Optical keyboard. Optical keyboard is a keyboard that's designed for fast-paced competitive gamers. It also has an individual switch for every single key like a mechanical keyboard. But the difference is instead of using a physical contact, optical keyboards use an infrared light beam inside each switch. So when a key is pressed, it interrupts that light beam and that interruption is what registers the keystroke. As a result, the response time of an optical keyboard is more instant because light moves faster than a physical movement. This also means optical keyboards can last longer than mechanical keyboards because the light doesn't create friction inside the switch. But with all those advantages, optical keyboards are definitely more expensive than mechanical keyboards. And since there are more people using mechanical instead of optical, it also doesn't have many switch options and customization choices. Flexible keyboard. Flexible keyboard is a keyboard that's so flexible that you can roll or even fold it. This can happen because the keyboard is made of soft silicone material. Due to its flexible nature, this keyboard is often used by travelers since it doesn't take a lot of space inside a bag. Not only that, flexible keyboards are also completely waterproof because silicone materials are resistant to water. But despite all those great things, flexible keyboard is actually not that good for typing. When you press the keys, they will often wobble since the entire surface is very soft and flexible. So sometimes the keys you press don't always get registered. Ergonomic keyboard. Ergonomic keyboard is a keyboard that's designed to keep your hands comfortable while typing. And it's very suitable for streamers, writers, or office workers who spend most of their day on a keyboard. So when you type for too long on a regular keyboard, it can actually cause wrist pain over time because both hands are forced into an unnatural position toward the center of the keyboard. This is why ergonomic keyboards were created to solve this. By changing the physical shape of the keyboard itself, your hand position becomes more natural. They also come in two variants, curved ergonomic keyboard and the split ergonomic keyboard. The curved keyboard is still in one piece, but the keys are arranged in a curved shape or angled layout that follows the natural position of both hands. While the split keyboard is literally separated into two independent halves. So each hand can be positioned freely at whatever angle feels most comfortable. Both variants serve the same purpose, which is reducing wrist strain during long typing sessions. The split version just gives more flexibility since you can place each half as wide or as angled as you want. But the downside is switching from a regular keyboard to an ergonomic one takes time to get used to, especially because the key positions can be very different. And the split variant in particular can take up more desk space since both parts need to be placed separately. Hall effect keyboard. Hall effect keyboard is the most advanced switch technology available right now. And it's mostly used by high level competitive gamers and enthusiasts who want the highest level of customization. Just like mechanical and optical keyboards, Hall effect keyboards also have one individual switch per key, but instead of a metal contact or a light beam, each switch uses a magnet and a sensor underneath. So when a key is pressed, the magnet gets closer to the sensor and that's what registers the keystroke. Since the magnet and sensor never touch each other at all, there is literally nothing inside that can wear out, making Hall effect keyboards the most durable switch type available. And what's even more amazing is that Hall effect keyboard has a feature called adjustable actuation. This means you can set exactly how deep a key needs to be pressed before it registers. So in practice, when playing a competitive game, we can press the key just a little bit and the Hall effect sensor already registers, while the mechanical one needs to be pressed a bit deeper to even register. This feature is very useful in competitive moments since we can have more input in such a short amount of time. And once you're done playing, you can adjust the keyboard's actuation point back to normal so that it prevents accidental clicks when you type. However, with all those features, of course, the price of Hall effect keyboards will be much more expensive compared to the other types. And the adjustable actuation feature is overkill for anyone who just needs a keyboard for everyday use. Projection keyboard. Laser projection keyboard is the most unique type of keyboard. Instead of using physical keys like other keyboards, a projection keyboard uses a small projection device to display a full keyboard layout onto any flat surface using a laser. When a finger taps on the projected key area, that sensor detects where the finger landed and registers the corresponding keystroke. And since the entire keyboard is just a projected image, the device itself is extremely small and pocket-sized. And because it uses a wireless connection like Bluetooth, it can conveniently connect to almost any device, including phones, tablets, and laptops. But unfortunately, projection keyboards can be pretty bothersome to use. So when typing with this keyboard, ideally we have to be in a room with good lighting conditions. If the room is too bright, the sensor cannot detect the movement of your fingers precisely. Oh, by the way, I also made some other cool videos too. So don't forget to watch them later, okay? See you all in the next episode.