A keyboard is a peripheral or an auxiliary device used as a tool to put information into a computer and get information out of it. Laptop keyboards usually have a reduced set of keys, most of the time they may not have numeric keypads, and function keys may differ in their placement compared to the standard keyboard. A laptop keyboard usually takes on a flat layout and is attached to a monitor or display screen at the bottom. An external keyboard can be attached to a laptop or computer using either a wired or wireless connection. External keyboards commonly have added function keys, numeric pads, and multimedia buttons.
The laptop keyboard and external keyboard both are auxiliary devices, used to give instructions as input to the computer system. Although both types of keyboards have the same functions to perform and have almost similar alphabetic, numeric, and command keys both are significantly different in terms of size, key layout, switch types, and ergonomics. Customarily laptop keyboards reduce multiple symbols into fewer buttons or keys to occupy lesser space. However, an external keyboard is an input device that can be attached using a wire or a wireless connection, to a laptop or a computer. An external keyboard usually contains additional functions like number pads and multi-media keys. Laptop keyboards are smaller than external keyboards because laptops are smaller in size generally. Also, laptop keyboards have a reformed layout that changes the location of a few keys and removes some keys as well.
Keyboard
Keyboards are an essential part of computer systems without any doubt. Among various input devices, the keyboard is compulsory to perform almost all functions in a typical computer with Windows operating system. Computer keyboards are mainly divided into two types called basic and extended. The basic keyboard comprises 104 function keys which are enough to carry out all the functions performed on a computer system. Whereas the extended keyboard might have few additional keys and the layout may vary from manufacturing companies. Extended keyboards are usually custom-made keyboards that are particular to certain operating systems and applications.
Laptop keyboard
A laptop keyboard is a device used with a laptop computer like a keyboard for a desktop computer. The laptop keyboard contains function keys that are used to give commands and type symbols. A laptop keyboard usually takes on a flat layout attached to the bottom of the display screen and has certain t arrangements of keys and symbols. Laptop keyboards are designed to condense multiple symbols into lesser keys to occupy smaller space. Laptop keyboards usually have a shorter distance for the keystroke, a reduced set of keys, may not have a numeric pad, and function keys may be located differently from the placement on a standard keyboard.
There are three types of laptop keyboards namely: traditional style, chiclet-style, and mechanical. A traditional style keyboard generally provides more surface area and key travel distance. In this type of keyboard keys are placed close to one another with each key edge slanted. Chiclet style or Island style has keys that look as if they pop out of the laptop’s body through separate stencils for each key. Keys in this style are usually flat and not slanted around the edges as it gives an impression that there is more space among the function keys which also makes cleaning much easier. Lastly, the Chiclet-style keyboard is gradually hiding the traditional keyboard in laptops nowadays. These types of keyboards are thinner and more versatile in layout and design and users can choose the Chiclet style as a thin and light laptop option.
External keyboard
The external keyboard consists of several sections and consists of several keys including the text entry section, navigation section, and numeric keypad as well. As the increased number of keys helps smooth typing for users but some situations required to reduce the number of keys.
There are four types of external keyboards:
- A wired keyboard that connects to a laptop through a wire and it is the most common and old-fashioned keyboard among all types
- Wireless keyboards, as the name suggests, do not need a wire to connect to a laptop or computer system. They are stress-free for traveling and are perfect to reduce mess
- A split keyboard is a device that comprises two portions that are connected by a wire when compared to a regular keyboard
- A foldable keyboard is another type that has the same functions as a regular keyboard but can be folded into a roll. They are an innovative addition to a laptop as they are advanced, ergonomic, and transportable. On the other hand, they are expensive as well
What are the differences between a laptop keyboard and an external keyboard?
A laptop’s keyboard size must be limited to the size of the laptop itself which means some laptops feature a keyboard that is smaller while a standard external keyboard is bigger. Laptop keyboards are physically smaller and more compact which means external keyboard designers have more space to work with. So, they can add bigger keys with improved spacing to avoid frequent typos. Categorically, external keyboards can offer a more satisfactory user experience.
- Layout
Laptop keyboard sacrifices both the total number of keys and placement on the location because of its reduced size. Laptop keyboards also eliminate the numeric pad and a few function keys, shorten arrow keys, and remove excess space between the various sections of the keyboard as well. These restrictions make it harder for users to get around a laptop keyboard, specifically if a user frequently uses shortcuts.
- Portability
An external keyboard will be a pain to carry around all the time for users. As laptops are supposed to be mobile and its keyboard is attached to them, the great thing about selecting an external keyboard is that the user can leave it at any place and carry it while needing to move it around. However, wireless keyboards are more relaxed and tranquil to bring around.
- Durability
Laptop keys are often aimed to tolerate 2 to 3 million keystrokes. As it echoes a big number, so for a user who types a lot, laptop keys get damaged quicker and key pressing does not register after 2 to 3 years. In contrast, external keyboards are good enough for 50 million keystrokes approximately, which interprets heavy usage for 10 to 15 years. And, if one of the keys touches its life end, replacing it will not cost much. Comparatively, the laptop membrane keyboard must be completely replaced if gets damaged which will cost much higher.
- Ergonomics
As laptop keyboards are smaller and more compressed, it is not easy to give an ergonomic experience for a user. After typing for even short periods on a laptop, people claim that their hands got hurt, and users struggle to hit the correct keys while typing in a hurry. Alternatively, external keyboards have unlimited potential containing ergonomic layouts for the user who wants to maximize comfort and minimize pain in hats while typing.
- Typing speed and comfortability
External keyboards are slower to type on as fingers must move more while typing. Additionally, the user must press the keys with an extra force that puts more pressure on the fingers. So, the fingers will get exhausted more rapidly. Whereas laptop keyboards tend to be faster and more comfortable for the mentioned reason. Commonly understood that typing on a harder keyboard reduces the risk of developing concerns like nerve-related issues, wrist compression, wrist angle, hurting hands, and others. Understandably, Computer users must use an external mouse and keyboard to avoid overstretching and wrist deviance.
Conclusion
Despite the above-mentioned dissimilarities laptop keyboards and external keyboards both have many similarities too as both are auxiliary input devices and both have almost similar keys. More interestingly, users can use an external keyboard with a laptop too. There are some pros and cons to both types of keyboards, but users can select keyboard types according to their frequency of usage, comfortability, convince, and affordability. Purchasing an external keyboard is an extra cost for the user and laptop keyboards are quiet while typing comparatively. But one can opt for an external keyboard while choosing between the two if considering the health and efficiency benefits that significantly overshadow any trivial concerns with cost and portability.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- What is Keyboard?
A keyboard is a peripheral input device, commonly used as a tool to place information into a computer system to perform assigned functions and get information out of it.
- What is a laptop keyboard?
A laptop keyboard is also an auxiliary input device that usually has a flat layout and is attached to the display screen at the bottom. They are usually smaller in size that altered the location and removing certain keys when compared with standard external keyboards.
- What is an External keyboard?
An external keyboard is an input device that can be connected to a laptop or a computer via a wired or wireless connection. It usually had additional functions like num-pads and multimedia keys.
- What’s the difference between a laptop keyboard and an external keyboard?
A laptop keyboard is different from an external keyboard in aspects like size, key layout, conformability, and ergonomics. An external keyboard permits a user to type quicker, easier, and for extended periods than a laptop keyboard.
