Soft touch desktop keyboard

Types of soft touch desktop keyboards

The rubber-dome keyboard is a favorite among casual users mainly due to its affordability and accessibility. It features rubbery mess under each key that provides resistance when pressed down. This kind of keyboard is often found on laptops and budget desktop models because it is less complex to make than the other types. Additionally, it is quieter than mechanical keyboards, making it a suitable option for shared workspaces or environments where minimal noise is preferred.

Away from the rubber dome keyboard, there are some other kinds of soft touch keyboards that can be used in real-world applications. They include:

• Mechanical soft touch keyboards: These keyboards offer tactile feedback with each keypress and are more durable than rubber dome keyboards.
• Gaming soft touch keyboards: These keyboards are for gaming enthusiasts and have features like customizable RGB backlighting and anti-ghosting.
• Compact soft touch keyboards: These small keyboards are travel-friendly and have a sleek design.
• Wireless soft touch keyboards: These keyboards use RF or Bluetooth technology to eliminate the clutter of cables.

Function & Features

Soft touch keyboards possess a unique set of characteristics that make them highly valued for their typing experience. Here are some features of soft touch keyboards:

• Design: With their gentle, rubbery-textured keycaps, soft touch keyboards are made for comfort and quiet operation. Because of this design, the keystrokes are dampened, and typing sounds are reduced, providing a soft auditory feedback upon keypress.
• Noise reduction: These keyboards are an ideal choice for noisy environments or locations where quiet is of utmost importance, such as libraries, open-plan offices, or home offices. By reducing the sound associated with conventional keyboards, soft touch keyboards contribute to a calm and peaceful setting.
• Key travel: Soft touch keyboards usually have shorter key travel, which refers to the distance the keys move when pressed. This feature enables keys to register with minimal effort, thus facilitating quicker and easier typing.
• Feedback: The keyboards offer light tactile feedback, which helps typists with key recognition without making the hands uncomfortable after long typing sessions.
• Durability: Soft touch keys are made with longevity in mind. They are manufactured with durable materials that can withstand frequent use while keeping their comfort and quietness characteristics. The soft-touch coating also helps to prevent wear and tear on the keycaps, ensuring that the keyboard remains in good condition for longer.
• Ergonomics: Soft touch keyboards consider the comfort of the hands and wrists during extended typing sessions. Keycaps with soft-touch coatings are less abrasive on the skin than keycaps with a rougher surface, reducing hand and finger fatigue during prolonged use.
• Wireless connectivity: Some soft touch keyboards can only be connected wirelessly to electronic devices. They frequently use Bluetooth or RF technology to link to smartphones, tablets, or laptops.

Applications of soft touch desktop keyboards

Applications of the soft touch desktop keyboard range from basic typing to more complex functions in various industries. This assists users in performing different functions depending on their needs.

• Gaming: Gamers often seek responsive keyboards that offer tactile feedback during gameplay. This is important when input precision is required in high-stakes situations. Gamers also prefer customizable lighting options and multimedia controls for an immersive experience. Furthermore, a soft touch desktop keyboard is an ideal choice for gamers as it enables light keystrokes, reducing physical strain during long sessions.
• Office Tasks: When purchasing keyboards for office use, companies usually buy those that are comfortable for users to type on for extended periods. A soft touch keyboard is a great option as it reduces stress and fatigue on the fingers and wrists. This indirectly boosts productivity among employees because they can work for longer hours without experiencing discomfort or pain.
• Writing or Blogging: Writers or bloggers require keyboards that offer a pleasant typing experience and accurate input. A soft touch keyboard meets these criteria by providing light and responsive key presses. This reduces typos and helps maintain a steady typing flow. The quiet operation of soft touch keyboards also allows for a focused and uninterrupted working environment, which is essential for content creation.
• Data Entry: In jobs that involve a lot of number or text input, keyboards with quick and light keystroke actions are preferred. Operators who work with such input all day long need keyboards that reduce finger strain and work efficiently. Soft touch keys are made for this kind of work since they are less demanding on the fingers and help avoid repetitive strain injuries.
• Programming or Software Development: Programmers need a keyboard that responds well and has low actuation force. Low actuation force means that the keys are easier to press, which can be helpful during long coding sessions. Also, soft touch keyboards often have features like key rollover and customizable layouts that can be beneficial for programmers.
• Educational Institutions: Soft touch keyboards are mostly used in educational institutions because they are simpler to use and more comfortable for kids and students. Soft touch keyboards lower the amount of physical effort needed to type, making them a popular choice for individuals learning to type.

How to Choose Soft Touch Desktop Keyboards

Soft touch keyboards are considered by many to be more comfortable to use than traditional hard keyboards. However, some people find that the added cushion of a soft touch can feel bulky, while others enjoy the extra support it provides for their hands and wrists.

When selecting a soft touch desktop keyboard, the following tips should be kept in mind:

• Key Material and Durability: When buying a keyboard, it's important to look for quality materials. The keycaps, which are the touch points of the keys, should be made of a strong plastic like ABS or PBT. These materials will help keep the keys from wearing down quickly with regular use. ABS is a softer plastic that feels good to touch but can get shiny over time. PBT is a tougher plastic that holds up better against shine and abrasion. Both are good options for soft-touch keycaps. Also, check that the rest of the keyboard frame is made from solid, durable plastics or metals to support the keys and mechanism. If only the keycaps are high-quality and the rest of the keyboard is cheap, it may not last as long. Choosing ABS or PBT plastic for the keycap materials ensures they will resist wear and remain smooth to the touch. Selecting a well-constructed keyboard with quality plastics or metals throughout will help it withstand use and prolong its lifespan.
• Switch Type: When choosing a soft touch keyboard, it's helpful to understand different switch types and try the ones that feel best. The switch type impacts how the keys feel and sound when typing. Soft touch keyboards often have membrane or scissor switch designs for a quieter, cushioned experience. Membrane switches use a single rubber layer under the keys that quietly compresses when pressed. This provides a softer touch but less feedback compared to mechanical switches. Scissor switches found in laptop keyboards combine rubber dome keys with crossed scissor clips for stability. They offer a gentler typing feel and take up less space. For those who prefer tactile feedback and durability, mechanical switches with metal components are recommended. They maintain their clicky responsiveness but can be louder. Consider the typing experience desired - membrane and scissor switches are quieter and softer, while mechanical switches provide more tangible pressing. Select a switch type that matches the preferred feel and sound when typing.
• Wireless Connectivity: When buying a soft touch keyboard, consider whether a wireless model would suit better your needs over a wired one. Wireless keyboards connect via Bluetooth or radio frequencies that may require changing batteries or recharging. However, they eliminate messy wires and allow the keyboard to be positioned further from the computer. Wireless options are best for those wanting a cord-free desktop setup or using the keyboard over long distances. An alternative is a wired soft touch keyboard that plugs in with a USB cable. This option does not need batteries but restricts movement due to the cord. Wireless is most convenient if the keyboard will be used unplugged. But for some users, the USB connection of a wired model is simpler. Compare the pros and cons of wireless versus wired options based on how and where the keyboard will be used.
• Size and Layout: When buying a keyboard, consider the size and layout that will best meet specific usage needs. Full-size keyboards include a number pad as well as all the regular keys, while tenkeyless models remove this section. TKL keyboards have the same letter and function key arrangements but lack the number pad, making them more compact. This saves desk space and is easier to transport for users who do not use the number pad regularly. However, a full-size soft touch keyboard may be a better choice for those who frequently work with spreadsheets or data entry jobs, as the number pad allows for faster calculations. Another option is a mini or compact keyboard that shrinks all the keys, including the number pad. Mini keyboards can be suitable for using with laptops or for small work areas where desk space is limited. When selecting a keyboard, think about whether a full-size, tenkeyless, or mini model will best suit needs based on how much space is available on the desk and the type of work done.

Soft touch desktop keyboard Q&A

Q1: What is a soft touch keyboard?

A1: A soft touch keyboard has keystrokes that provide a gentle and smooth response when pressed. These keyboards are designed to enhance the typing experience.

Q2: Is a soft touch keyboard quieter?

A2: Yes. It uses a mechanism designed to reduce noise made when a keystroke is pressed. This makes the keyboard ideal for use in quiet environments.

Q3: What material is used for soft touch keyboards?

A3: A rubberized plastic is often used to make soft touch keyboards. The material provides a unique texture that is both pleasing and comfortable to the touch.

Q4: Can the soft touch desktop keyboard withstand spills?

A4: Some soft touch keyboards have a spill-resistant feature. This is achieved by using the rubberized plastic material to create a keyboard that has a sealed membrane. When spills happen, the fluid runs through without damaging the electrical components inside the keyboard.