Life strategy Part 8: Computer keyboard purchase strategy and recommended brands

The keyboard is the primary device for computer input. Nowadays, there are more and more scenes of using computers in the work and life of society. Long-term use of computers requires high quality keyboards and high ergonomics requirements for keyboards. There are various keyboards on the market at present, how to choose a suitable keyboard? What are the basics of the keyboard? I've searched the web for a long time without a simple and clear answer. Or some answers are all special techniques, which are more complicated and confusing after reading it. Today, I will introduce to you the purchase strategy and brand recommendation of computer keyboards.

I think the current keyboards can be classified into the following categories (note: my classification does not belong to the technical school, but belongs to the classification that consumers can understand):

In terms of connection methods, there are mainly wired keyboards and wireless Bluetooth keyboards;

In terms of usage scenarios, it is generally home, business office, games, etc.;

According to the working principle, there are two types of conventional keyboards: mechanical keys and capacitive keys.

In terms of thickness, there are general mechanical keyboards and ultra-thin keyboards.

I won't talk about the classification of other special technologies, and I don't think it's useful.

I think the most important thing to buy a keyboard is to figure out what you want, what you want, what you want to use, and what feeling you want to achieve, so that you can choose according to the key points of purchase.

The exterior is definitely the first impression. If you don't like the appearance, no matter how good the quality is, no matter how hard the technology is, you probably won't be inclined to choose it. Therefore, I regard the appearance and appearance of the keyboard as the first element. Appearance includes factors such as layout, color matching, and overall shape. Different people must have different requirements for the appearance of the keyboard. For example, for office work, it is generally a regular keyboard with a straight board; for playing games, it is better to have a cooler one;

That is, wired and wireless. Generally, for desktops that do not move, I think wired ones are fine. Wireless ones do not have the trouble of connecting wires, but the price is often a little more expensive, and there is a possibility of instability. If it is a mobile office, then you must choose Bluetooth wireless, which is convenient to carry and light to use.

The keycap of the keyboard, that is, the material of the key we often say is very important, because it is in contact with the finger for a long time, it is still necessary to choose a material that is beneficial to the finger, and the material should not be too hard, like knocking on a stone.

ABS: plastic material, relatively cheap, and the most common, high strength, smooth, and cool in color. But the biggest disadvantage is that it is easy to oil. Generally speaking, after using it for a period of time, the surface of the button looks polished and shiny, and the sensory and physical feel will be greatly reduced.

PBT: It is a matte material, so the color is relatively dark, but it is wear-resistant, which greatly prolongs the time for oiling. It solves the shortcomings of ordinary PBT material keycaps that are not delicate enough, and the advantages of ordinary PBT keycaps are high temperature resistance and no oil, but the disadvantages are that it is not easy to shape, the feel is not delicate enough, and the cost is much higher than ABS.

POM: High hardness, excellent wear resistance, and self-lubricating properties. Similar to PBT, but it feels more slippery than PBT, not dry enough, and the cost is also high, so few manufacturers currently use it.

That is how we say the feel. When you choose a keyboard, it’s best to tap on the keyboard with both hands to try the feel, because everyone’s preferences will be different. Some people like a softer keyboard, and some people like a keyboard with a little more elasticity. A good keyboard is designed with special attention to ergonomics, so that it is comfortable to use and does not cause fatigue after long-term use.

Choosing a keyboard depends on the demand on the one hand, and on the other hand, it must be combined with the price to choose a cost-effective one within your acceptable level. Of course, the brand is also very important. The charm of the brand lies in the mature technology, stable quality control and considerate service of big brands.

The keyboard is actually a relatively stable field with moderate demand and a long history. Everyone has heard of famous brands to some extent, and of course some new brands will join the big team of keyboard manufacturers. In terms of brands, there are professional keyboard manufacturers and comprehensive digital product manufacturers. When choosing a keyboard, you must believe in the power of the brand!

Logitech is a Swiss keyboard manufacturer that focuses on innovation and quality. Its products are mainly mice, keyboards, etc., and has become the world's most famous supplier of computer peripherals.

Founded in 1953, CHERRY is a world-renowned professional computer input device manufacturer in Germany, mainly engaged in the production of computer peripheral keyboards and other products. CHERRY is especially famous for its mechanical keyboards, and the representative products marked are MX Switch (black switches, brown switches, green switches, red switches, etc.)

Difference between red axis, green axis, tea axis and black axis

Red Switch Red Switch

Linear shaft body, trigger key stroke 2.0mm, initial pressure 30cN, trigger pressure 45 ± 15cN. The reason why the red axis is said to be a linear axis is mainly because it has no sense of paragraph when pressing, it is straight down and straight up, and at the same time the trigger pressure is small, making it require lighter force when pressing, suitable for long-term coding or operation keyboard man

Blue Switch Blue Switch

Step shaft body, trigger key stroke 2.2mm, initial pressure 25cN, trigger pressure 50 ± 15cN, step pressure 60 ± 15cN, step stroke 1.75mm. Although the trigger key travel is longer, the initial pressure is even smaller than the red switch, so it is easier to hit. However, considering that the green axis has a sense of paragraph when pressed, it will make a "tick" sound, which is somewhat similar to a ballpoint pen that presses a switch, so the sound will be louder;

Brown Switch Brown Switch

Step shaft body, trigger key stroke 2.0mm, initial pressure 30cN, trigger pressure 45 ± 20cN, step pressure 55 ± 25cN, step stroke 1.25mm. The brown switch is the switch closest to the membrane keyboard, because although there are paragraphs, it is not obvious, and the trigger pressure is relatively light. If you are just transitioning from the membrane keyboard, it is more suitable to choose the brown switch. At the same time, the inconspicuous sense of step also makes the sound when pressing is smaller than that of the green switch; it mainly takes into account the step feeling of the green switch and the quietness of the red switch, and it is relatively moderate in terms of features;

Black switch Black Switch

Black switch Black Switch: Linear switch body, actuation key travel 2.0mm, initial pressure 30cN, actuation pressure 60 ± 20cN. It has an ultra-short trigger distance and the longest service life. The track of the keys is straight up and down, without obvious sense of road, so the sound is the smallest, and it has a key life of up to 50 million times. The feeling of pressing is the least obvious, the sound is the smallest, and it can achieve a better game feel, which is very suitable for game players;

Founded in 2005, Razer is the world's leading lifestyle brand for gamers. The triple-headed snake logo is one of the well-known LOGOs in the global gaming and e-sports fields. Razer hardware products mainly include high-performance gaming peripherals, etc.

Not ICBC, but IKBC, established in 2007, is a domestic independent brand focusing on keyboard innovation and research and development. IKBC is a well-known mechanical keyboard brand, especially its PBT keycaps are well known.

Other well-known brands include CORSAIR, Leopold Leopold, FILCO, Rapoo RAPOO, etc.

Of course, there are many domestic brands. my country is a big manufacturing country, and some brands of keyboards are of good quality, such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Lenovo, Shuangfeiyan, ASUS, etc. Jingdong also has keyboard products, and I think they are still good.