Choosing a Keyboard

The keyboard is super-important to computer users because it's the other main way people interact with their machines.  This means that they should be happy with their keyboard, especially programmers, who really depend on their keyboards.

First of all, ever wondered why it is called a keyboard?  If you did, then you're DUMB!  Just kidding... maybe you just never thought about it before.  If you didn't know, it's called a keyboard because the thing is basically a board with keys on it for you to press.

There are 5 main things to consider in a keyboard:

1. Ergonomic vs. Normal
• Ergonomic keyboard are those round ones you see that are supposed to be better for your hands and arms when typing.  The standard is the regular rectangular keyboard you always see. 
• Ergonomic ones are supposed to decrease the risk of Carpal Tunnel, but there is no real evidence to back this.
• An ergonomic can help you type faster, more easily, and more comfortably because it puts your hands in a more natural position, but it may take some getting used to.
• Ergonomic keyboard are usually bigger, so if desk space is tight, that might be a consideration.
2. Wired vs. Wireless (see #2 in Choosing a Mouse, and replace all instances of "mouse" with "keyboard")
3. Types of buttons
• Extra keys that let you set the volume and stuff are quite helpful.  It's so much easier to adjust volume using your keyboard than manually going into your taskbar and changing it.  However, changing it using your speakers adjustments is even easier.  I don't find other keys as useful as volume adjustment.
• The [ENTER] key is not supposed to take up two rows!  Those old-school keyboard with massive enter keys and tiny backspace keys are quite annoying because they shift the backslash into the top row and make the backspace harder to find.
• Your arrow keys should be arranged normally, as in up arrow on its separate row, with all other directional keys below it.  On some keyboard, the down arrow gets its own row under the left and right keys, which feels kind of weird overall.
• Your keyboard should look nice.  Visually, your keyboard should be at least somewhat pleasing.  The keyboard that look like the keys are completely cramped together without a thought to their logical placement are probably not a good choice.
4. Durability (see #4 in Choosing a Mouse, except that its about keyboard this time)
5. Keyboard noise
• This is pretty hard to gauge unless you've tried it out because all manufacturers list their keyboards as "quiet."  I really think that excess noise from the keyboard can be quite distracting, so invest in getting a quieter keyboard (maybe your friend has a recommendation for you), unless you like the clackety noise coming from your keyboard to tell you that you REALLY are typing.
• This sometimes has to do with how easily or how difficult the keys go down.  Mushy keys don't give enough tactile feedback to your fingers, whereas stiff ones require too much effort to push down.  I think that keyboard tend to get softer the more you use them.  I personally prefer my keyboard on the mushier side because they're generally quieter and are easier on the fingers.

The verdict (my choice): Ergonomic, wired, extra buttons for volume adjustment, medium durability, quiet/mushy.

Price Range: $15-25.