Like it or not, a keyboard is the most useful input device on a computer. The tablet computer is only useful when you have a keyboard : you know where each key can be found, it become second nature. The location of inputs on a touch screen can be equally known, but the small bumps on reference keys make a great difference to know that you are typing "pleasure" and not "-peas8re". When you get used to typing, you do not event look at the screen.
Regarding laptops, the last thing you want is a bad keyboard. If you look at reviews, not everyone agrees on what makes a good keyboard : spacious keys, shape, deflection, lit, pressure etc.
How can we make keyboard quality measurement standards?
- tests to determine accidentally hit keys
- repetitive stroke fatigue
- force required per key
- ease to use for high pace typing
- use of Shift, CTRL, TAB, SPACE etc.
- Combination keys for alternate characters
Like an LCD ( either lit by a CCFL or by LEDs - all the same to me, but CCFLs have a better colour gamut ) there could be measure standards that would be sufficiently objective.
I propose :
Deflection per key with standard force
Noise emissions
Keystroke life
Suitability for different hand sizes ( children, teens, adults, elder, large hands )
Reduced risk of repetitive stroke injury
Dependence on mouse for navigation ( Internet, multimedia keys etc. )
Temperature ( for laptops )
Ability to move key caps
Surface resistance to wear ( some keys become shiny or glossy with wear which makes them a little less comfortable. )
Do you have any suggestions on how to qualify a keyboard's usability?
I'd suggest visibility of key identifiers at different light levels (or something similar :) )
ReplyDeleteThe only laptop I've ever had that was easy to use in the dark had a silver coloured keyboard.
The keys were easy to read during the day, and at night the light from the screen was enough to read them by. This meant that I didn't need to use up any more power running a reading light.