7 Amazing Tips for Buying a Keyboard that You Will Love
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This article gives you 7 amazing tips for buying a keyboard that will make your life SO much simpler.
Gaming peripherals are often one of the most fun additions to buy when it comes to your PC build. Purchasing things like cool RGBs, candles, and even nightlights to add more personality to your space is really a fun way to make your space more personal.
I know for myself that I was SUPER excited when I got the opportunity to get actual gaming accessories that I loved and weren’t just hand me downs from my brothers.
However, often times items such as keyboards can cost a pretty penny. What tends to make the buying process even more difficult is that it can get overwhelming trying to pick something that you know you will like.
The market is a wash with many different kinds of keyboards and it can be tempting to give into buyer’s fatigue where you just settle for something only for it to not end up being exactly what you want.
This article is here to ease your mind by helping you work out a plan for what you want when it comes to buying a keyboard. Whether you’re a hardcore gamer in search of the latest tech or just need something new for work this article has the information you need to get a keyboard that will suit your taste. If this sounds like what you need then keep on reading for 7 amazing. tips for buying a keyboard that you will LOVE.
1. Know Your Budget
This one may seem like an obvious tip but you’d be surprised how easy it can be to start looking at keyboards without an idea of what you can afford only to buy something waaaaaaay out of your price range that isn’t even worth the money. Not knowing how much your willing to spend from the get go is a dangerous game and is an overpriced mistake waiting to happen.
Having a budget will help you loads in narrowing down what’s worth your time and what isn’t when it comes to buying a keyboard. Have an idea of what you’re able to spend and then look into what the market has to offer. If you find that a lot of the keyboards in your price range don’t fit your needs then you might want to consider waiting until you have the right amount. Being patient can be difficult but it’s better to wait and get something you will use rather than buy something cheap that you will not look forward to using.
In saying this, another good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that just because it’s priced high doesn’t mean the quality is high. There are solid boards for every price range and if you don’t need anything specific then you’re likely to find something that you can afford to suit your needs.
Remember, shop within your budget, get something you will like, don’t buy something because it’s flashy, but be willing to wait if you want something out of your price range.
2. Know The Different Types of Keyboards
There are two types of keyboards: Mechanical and membrane. Though there are various other sub sects of keyboards these are the ones you really NEED to know about.
Membrane keyboards are the most common and are often what you will find in most base linen computer set ups such as Apple keyboards or the ones you will have from your job if you work in an office.
Basically, these types of keyboards have all of their keys built onto one “membrane” board. This means that when you press any of the keys on this type of keyboard the information will be sent to your computer via this membrane board.
This is a pretty baseline system and is easier to manufacture than a mechanical keyboard often making these boards cheaper in comparison. They also tend to be easier to find in colorful patterns and don’t require a lot of customization to make them fit a certain aesthetic.
Mechanical keyboards operate a bit differently than membrane ones do specifically in how they transmit information from key presses.
Unlike membrane keyboard where all the keys are put onto one board that sends data to your computer, mechanical keyboards have each key preset to send information to your computer via key switches.
Each switch is designed to send information with speed and efficiency from each individual key to your computer making for a more complex system that tends to transmit information faster.
Does it Matter?
Now, you may be wondering, “If both keyboards pretty much do the same thing, why would anyone go for a mechanical keyboard over a membrane especially when the membrane is often cheaper?”
The short answer here is it really depends on what you want and what your goals are.
Mechanical keyboards are a lot faster and have a higher response time than a membrane does. The individual switches often offer faster travel between your board and your computer time. This is due to each key an individual switch designed to do this faster rather than operating on one solid board.
This means that if you’re someone who needs a faster response time from your keyboard then you’re going to want to go mechanical.
I know as a gamer I have used both and I prefer mechanical over membrane for what I do. When I’m playing games such as The Wither 3 or Fornite I know I’m going to want a faster response time from my keyboard as any lag could cost me significantly.
Mechanical keyboards also tend to come with more customizable options such as customizing key caps and switches. There are even boards out there where you can build a keyboard from the ground up if you’re REALLY into the whole customization aspect.
Again, what’s best for you really depends on your goals. If you’re just looking for a basic keyboard that will do the job and aren’t really in need of anything more than that then membrane will suit you just fine.
However, if you’re someone who likes to play a lot of fast-paced video games and love a range of customization options then I highly recommend getting a mechanical keyboard.
3. Know Your “Clackiness” Tolerance
Now that you’re familiar with the different types of keyboards let’s go into an aspect of keyboards that I don’t think gets talked about enough which is the sound of your keyboard.
One thing to keep in mind is that often times many keyboards, specifically mechanical keyboards, will have a “clackiness” level to describe what your keyboard will sound like when you’re typing. This will usually be in reference to the switches under the keycaps as they will often determine what your typing will ultimately sound like.
Side note: This is in no way an official technical term but through out the rest of this post I will be using “clackiness” to refer to the sound your keyboard makes when you type.
And no, I will not be taking questions/concerns/ or criticism on this. Anyway, I digress.
The point here is that you’re going to want to do some research on your desired keyboard model as various keyboards can sounds vastly different to one another.
I know for my mechanical keyboard I opted for the green “clacky” switches on my keyboard rather than the yellow “silent” switches that were also a buying option of the same model.
This meant that my keyboard makes a lot more noise of which I have noticed as well as everyone else that I’ve lived with.
If you’re not someone who likes to have a lot of noise when you’re typing or don’t live in an environment where it’s practical then be sure to look for silent key switches when purchasing a keyboard.
There’ s a lot of options for keyboards that have silent keys and even have a “creamy” sound to them if that’s what you’re into. However, going for a membrane option here might be better if you prefer ultra silent keys.
If all else fails try to see if a brick and mortar store like Best Buy has the keyboard you’re looking at on display so you can try typing on it to check the sound level.
4. Research Different Brands
Though it can be tempting to just buy whatever brand seems like the most popular that is unfortunately not always the best route to go. Popular brands may not always provide good quality.
This falls in line with my budget tip above as you may get a keyboard because everyone online says it’s good but once you get it it’s not what you expected. Even if a brand is objectively good that doesn’t mean the keyboards they make will be right for you.
Be sure to shop around and buy something that you will be happy with and not something that is necessarily trendy.
It’s also worth noting that different brands are better at different things. Some brands are good at making long lasting boards while some are amazing at aesthetic. Others excel in customizability while others make solid keyboards for reasonable prices.
Always do a little research and see what actual people who have used and own your keyboard are saying about it.
5. Understand Your Aesthetic
If how your set up looks is important to you make sure you keep this in mind when purchasing your keyboard. Trying to find something that fits what you’re looking for in terms of style may not always be a possibility and some improvising might have to be done in order to get your desired vibe.
When I purchased my keyboard I didn’t really have a style in mind until later when I decided to go with a Sanrio PC setup.
The color scheme I was going for thankfully used black and so there wasn’t much that had to be done to get it to fit my setup’s overall look. It also helps that my keyboard has customizable keycaps.
All it took was me buying a new set of keycaps and swapping them out to make it look like a whole new keyboard.
Thankfully for me this was an easy fix but that may not always be the case depending on what your vision is.
Keep and eye out for what you like but also research your options in terms of customization. If you’re planning on changing the keycaps make sure your desired model has hot swappable keys and is mechanical.
You can also try to find a keyboard in the color you want as well though this can often prove difficult if you want something in a color that’s not black or white.
Another option is to go with a keyboard that has RGB lights built in and programming them to fit your color scheme.
6. Know How to Clean Your Keyboard
Keyboards can get very gross very quickly especially if you use them a lot. Having some know how about how to clean your keyboard will save you some time in the long run.
If you’re planning on getting a membrane keyboard it’s virtually impossible to clean under the keys so wiping it down with a damp cloth is really all you can do for the most part.
If you get a mechanical board with removable keycaps than you can clean a bit easier. This gives you a lot of freedom to get down under the crevices and gently give your board some TLC.
There are several tools that are very helpful with cleaning your keyboard such as:
- Cotton swabs.
- Lysol wipes (in light doses).
- Desk vacuums.
- Dust cleaning gel (you can get this on Amazon as well as places that sell car care items).
- And a keycap puller.
I’ve used each one of these on my keyboard and they work wonders when trying to keep my equipment in it’s best condition. Try things out and see what works for you but all of these items are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
Remember, desk cleanliness is a form of self care.
7. Get Something YOU Will Enjoy
As always the main thing you should be keeping in mind is whether a keyboard is going to be right for you. Objectively a keyboard can be amazing on paper but not amazing for your specific needs.
If something there’s a product that a lot of people recommend but doesn’t fit your needs, budget, or even aesthetic then don’t buy it.
Of course be flexible where you can but understand that you’re the one who has to use your keyboard at the end of the day. Be good to yourself and if you do your do diligence by putting the effort in you’ll end up with a keyboard that you’ll use for a very very long time.
This article gave you 7 tips for buying a keyboard that you will love. If you’re looking for similar content to this links below for more articles you’ll enjoy.
How to Change the Keycaps on Your Keyboard
How To Choose Aesthetic Gaming Accessories
Building A Gaming PC For Beginners. Creating a Rig You Love