Keyboard 101: Everything You Need to Know To Choose a Keyboard

Choosing a keyboard can be a daunting process, especially if you’re new to the space. Mechanical keyboards, membrane keyboards, keycaps, switch types, sizes… There’s a lot of jargon and it can quickly overwhelm.

Thankfully, Keyboard 101 was created to help avoid that exact sort of information overload. This video and article series was created with the newcomer in mind, focusing on broad-strokes explanations to give you the tools to pick out your perfect keyboard -- or at least be ready to answer the question, “what type of keyboard are you looking for?”

If you’re looking to watch or listen to this series, the video above is a compilation of all four parts with easy-to-navigate chapters, so you can skip right ahead to the section you’re most interested in. If you’d rather read at your own pace, we’ve got all four parts linked below:

Keyboard 101: Intro to Computer Keyboards and How to Pick the Right One

• The first Keyboard 101 article focuses on two main points: why what the keyboard is being used for matters, as well as the difference between membrane and mechanical keyboards. This is the ideal starting point for folks who may have been typing on a keyboard for years but aren’t quite sure what it is or why they like it.

Keyboard 101: How to Choose Your Keyboard Size

• The second installment focuses on the vast number of keyboard sizes available and who each one would be good for. Should your keyboard be a TKL? Click and find out.

Keyboard 101: What Keyboard Switches are Right for Me?

• The third entry in Keyboard 101 is where things start to get a bit more in-depth, with descriptions of mechanical keyboard switch types and who they would be best suited for. If you’ve ever been curious about mechanical keyboards but never took the plunge, start here.

Keyboard 101: Should I Build My Own Keyboard?

• The final installment covers a newer trend in keyboards: building your own. And before you decide it’s not for you, check it out. It’s far easier to do than you might be expecting and can be very worth it.

This Keyboard 101 series was designed to keep things fairly broad, as the truth of keyboards is that they are incredibly personal. My top favorite keyboard could be your least favorite and vice versa, which is why I only make one genuine recommendation in the entire four part series:

The best way to learn which keyboard is right for you is to stop by your local Micro Center and get your hands on them. Our stores have a plethora of keyboards on display for you to test and our knowledgeable associates will be more than happy to offer more specific recommendations. Otherwise, enjoy your new keyboard and happy typing!