The keyboard is an input device that is used to enter text and control computer programs. It can be found on almost any personal computer, mobile phone, or other electronic devices such as tablet computers and video game consoles. Modern keyboards typically have additional keys such as function keys that can be accessed by holding down the Fn key simultaneously as another key. This article will give you information about different types of lightest keyboards with features.
Types of Lightest Keyboard
There are four types of keyboards, namely:
- Membrane
- Scissor switch
- Mechanical switch
- Hall Effect
Membrane
The membrane is widely known for its thinness consists of a rubber dome with electrical contact points beneath it. When pressed on top of this rubber dome depresses, causing contact between electrical contact points, making a character appear on the screen.
Scissor switch
The Scissor switch is the same as the membrane, but it has mechanical parts inside the keyboard, such as a spring at the bottom of each key and two plastic arms known as scissor lift beneath every key. This is common in laptop keyboards because of the need for thinness. Stand-alone keyboards are mostly made with Mechanical Switches because they have tactile feedback when pressed, which is essential when writing in many languages that use different characters per button or critical layout.
Mechanical switches are built by using a printed circuit board to mount electrical contacts with their springs and other components on top of them. It is then attached to a piece of plastic push buttons above this printed circuit board with the help of metal clips.
Hall Effect
The Hall Effect is also the same as the Mechanical switch, but the difference lies in its magnets. This type of keyboard is mainly used in industrial fields because it is durable and needs low maintenance. The difference lies in how the magnetic field is created, so when key actuates, a hall effect sensor detects that change in a magnetic field, which transfers into input through the input interface.
Features
The features of the lightest keyboard may include.
- Adjustable lights
- Programmable keys
- Wireless connectivity, Ergonomic design, etc.
Some standard features that we find in most keyboards today include backlights (which allow you to see what characters are on keys), USB ports (for connecting to another device), multimedia (which will enable you to play music, video, etc.), programmable keys (for changing macro’s key patterns) and many more that can be added depending on the manufacturer.
Wireless keyboards are primarily popular with laptops this is because most want the freedom of movement it gives, making it easier for typing while using different locations for working with their laptop like sitting on the couch reading documents or watching an event happening on TV without having too much trouble taking one place to another.
Best lightest keyboards in the market
Some Keyboards are considered the lightest because it uses an advanced scissor system that combines two plastic pieces using metal wire. This makes sure that even though there is no spring inside.
Unlike standard keyboards, these do not have a Numpad. Instead, they come with their own set of keys, including more function keys and extra space for arrow keys, making them easier to use for people who like gaming. Gamers and programmers mostly use these keyboards since most prefer having fewer things on their desks while playing or working. That’s why some companies introduced small form factor keyboards, giving the user more space on their desk and making laptops more portable.
Lightest mechanical switches
Keyboard Manufacturers who made the lightest keyboards, Filco, Razer, Logitech, Corsair Gaming, SteelSeries, HyperX, Cooler Master, have used Mechanical Switches in some of their products include Cherry MX Red, Blue, Black, Brown, Green, and many more.
The mechanism behind mechanical switches is simple. It includes a button, spring, plunger. Each of these components plays a vital role in making the keyboard possible to use. Not all keyboards that you find in the market are made using the same materials. Some are even created using different materials, making choosing the right one the hardest thing to do, so you need to know their differences before buying any.
Types of lightest switches
There are three types of switches, namely linear switch, tactile switch, clicky switch.
Linear Switch
This type has no tactile feedback when pressed. It just moves straight down until it hit something solid at the bottom-most level. This causes you to bottom out your finger or fingers on keys while typing making a sound like up and down movements.
Tactile switch
A tactile switch gives you some feedback when pressed. Depending on what brand you buy, the most common type gives you a small bump or notch created by the mechanical parts inside the keyboard known as scissors, springs, etc. For example, Falco has Cherry MX switches that come with a tactile bump at the top level. This changes how your finger hits keys while typing, producing a better experience for users who wants to know if their key was fully actuated without looking at their keyboard.
Clicky switch
A clicky switch is the same as Linear Switch, but it makes clicking sounds when pressed instead of driving straight down movements. This is good for people who want to know precisely when they have reached the bottom level of their keyboard. Gamers mostly use this switch, and they usually prefer it to be louder than others, so this is also one of the reasons why most gaming keyboards these days come with clicky switches because you need to know where your fingers are while playing games not only that but some people believe that they can type faster when using a clicky switch because each sound tells them whether they hit a key or not which allows for better typing speed and accuracy.
