Why you should look into getting better keyboard switch options

Posted by Elite Technology on January 10th, 2018

There are a number of factors that go into designing a great keyboard, and many of them center around the keyboard’s primary method of use: the keys. The perceived quality of the keys are driven by switches that need to be chosen based on a number of factors, and they are also dependent on the chosen use case for that keyboard.

For example, mechanical switches continue to have a niche market in keyboards because they are popular among a subgroup of keyboard users due to their more significant key travel and larger amount of force used to activate a key, but many uses dislike mechanical keyboards today because of how loud they are and how they can cause fatigue among users that write regularly, or that spend a lot of their time at their keyboard.

Membrane switches have become the de facto keyboard switch for a variety of uses, but you still need to be conscious of the different options that you have to control for, like key travel and force used. While consumers may like using membrane switches instead, they still appreciate having variable activation force needed to activate each key. Additionally, as you map the different parts of the keyboard, you may find yourself using a variety of different force levels on your switches to improve the user experience.

If you also manufacture keypads, then you’ll find that the keypad switches that you use will need distinctly different force levels and switch variables than on keyboards in many cases. Companies like Snaptron make it easy for you to source the right kind of keyboard switches for your needs, and they will have a wide range of different options for you to choose from as well. If you are looking for information about their various switch options, then visit www.snaptron.com. You’ll also find that they have the necessary equipment to improve your testing and quality control capabilities by allowing you to test switches for activation force and other factors in-house. Take a look for yourself today to learn more.