Types of Keyboards

Types of Keyboards: Advantages and Disadvantages

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Until recently, all keyboards were very similar. Big and gray… Or well, there were also black ones. However, with the increase in popularity of mechanical keyboards, users have increasingly demanded more types of keyboards and when there were none, they have created them. Thus, little by little its form and variety has grown; and now we have keyboards of different sizes for all tastes and possible desks. Next, we are going to look at some of the most popular keyboard sizes.

Keyboard Layout

The 100% keyboard

Full-size keyboards are typical computer keyboards. They have four different areas separated by spaces with a total of 105 keys in the ISO (European) format.

The 100 keyboard
The 100% keyboard
  1. On the left we have the area with the letters.
  2. In the middle the navigation area (arrows, page turn, etc.).
  3. On the right we have the numeric keyboard.
  4. At the top we have the function keys and the escape.

There are also keyboards that are larger than a normal Full Size because they have macro keys on the sides. Some even have screens …

The Logitech G19
The Logitech G19

1800-Compact

1800-Compact layout keyboards have the same number of keys as a full-size keyboard, but the layout is slightly more compact:

  • The arrow keys, instead of being separated, are below the Enter key.
  • The other navigation keys become above the numeric keypad.
1800 Compact
1800-Compact
The result is a keyboard that has all the keys of a full-size keyboard, but takes up slightly less space.

TKL (Tenkeyless or 80%)

TKL keyboards are the second most popular keyboards. They are like full-size keyboards, but without the numeric keypad.

Explanation of the name Tenkeyless:

As we will see later, the numeric keyboard or numpad is known as Tenkey. In English, adding the suffix less indicates its absence. So Tenkeyless means no numeric keypad, literally.

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The TKLs are very popular because even being smaller than the Full Size they have all the alphanumeric, navigation and function keys in their normal position, so the learning curve is minimal.

Its size is around 80% to 87% of the Full Size , which has some advantages:

  • The first and most important is that they allow you to adopt a more ergonomic position in front of the keyboard.
  • There is more space for the mouse.
  • They are easier to store and transport.
TKL keyboards have are like a Full Size keyboard but without the numeric part
TKL keyboards have are like a Full Size keyboard, but without the numeric part
Furthermore, they are very easy for manufacturers to design and build. Mind you, although they have fewer switches, they are typically not cheaper than their full-size variants.

75%

They are known as 75% keyboards those that have a certain key layout that allows them to obtain a size that varies between 70 and 75% of a full-size keyboard. Of course, they keep the top row complete with the function keys and the escape

75 keyboard with ISO key layout
75% keyboard with ISO key layout
75% keyboards are already more rare to see because they save space by modifying the layout of some keys that are used a lot like Insert, Delete, Home, arrows, etc. so they have a small learning curve.

60%

The 60% size keyboards, in addition to ditching the number pad and navigation keys, also lack the top row of function keys.

60 keyboard with ISO key layout
60% keyboard with ISO key layout

The functionalities of these missing keys can be accessed through the Fn key usually located at the bottom right of the keyboard. To activate the function of the F1 key we will have to press the Fn key + 1.

60% keyboards, while saving significant space and weight, have a considerable learning curve.

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40%

40% keyboards are the smallest keyboards that are still relatively usable.

The 40% keyboards also dispense with the row dedicated to numbers, leaving only the letters and modifiers. The numbers must be accessed through the Fn key or with special keys.

40 keyboard with ANSI key layout
40% keyboard with ANSI key layout
At the moment, these keyboards have not reached the general public and if you want to get one you will have to assemble it yourself or order it on request.

Tenkey (numeric keyboard or number pad)

Dedicated numeric keyboards usually have 21 keys: the normal numeric keys plus the keys with special functions Escape, Tab, and so on.

Tenkey keyboard with 21 keys
Tenkey keyboard with 21 keys
They are the perfect complement to Tenkeyless or smaller keyboards, eliminating one of the weak points of a compact design without taking up permanent table space. Having a separate Tenkey also allows you to place the numeric keypad on the left side of the keyboard.

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