从一开始，键盘(Keyboards) 就一直是计算机系统不可或缺的一部分。尽管输入设备有多种类型，但键盘对于在装有Windows操作系统的普通计算机中执行大多数功能至关重要。你有没有想过要为 Windows PC 购买哪种类型的键盘？(Did you ever wonder what type of keyboard to buy for Windows PC?)如果是，这里有一些细节可以帮助您做出决定。
键盘类型
电脑键盘有两种主要类型：基本(Basic)键盘和扩展(Extended)键盘。基本(Basic)键盘包含 104 个按键，足以执行Windows PC上可以完成的所有功能。扩展(Extended)键盘可能有额外的按键，并且设计因制造它们的公司而异。这些通常是特定于某些操作系统或应用程序的定制键盘。对于扩展(Extended)键盘，我能想到的最好的例子是微软(Microsoft)为其第一个“开始屏幕”操作系统设计的Windows键盘。
键盘技术的类型
Windows Club已经介绍了一些来自Microsoft的优秀键盘。我们将在一段时间内查看它们。在此之前，让我们来看看不同类型的键盘技术(keyboard technologies)。当我说键盘技术时，我说的是用于向计算机发送信号的机制，即按下某个键或按下了组合键。将按键转换为数字信息（按键、按键代码、保持时间、重复实例等）的工作由键盘的设备驱动程序完成。您不必担心键盘驱动程序，因为Windows 操作系统(Windows OS)为大多数键盘内置了它们。在极少数情况下，您可能需要单独安装键盘驱动程序——在特殊的扩展键盘的情况下。
阅读(Read)：游戏和工作的最佳机械键盘(Best Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming and Work)。
剪刀式开关键盘
这些是笔记本电脑和上网本中最常见的类型，尤其是 HP 和Compaq系列。钥匙由一对像剪刀一样缠绕在一起的塑料片组成。当您按下该键时，它们彼此平放并触摸特定的键盘点以完成电路。完成此操作后，键盘驱动程序确定按下的键并将信息发送到输入缓冲区，您的操作系统从那里接管信息。
这种类型的优点是您无需用力按，因为任何按键到电路板的行程时间都非常短。问题在于清洁，因为您无法移动钥匙。鼓风机应该会有所帮助，但保持此类键盘清洁的更好方法是采取预防措施——避免在有灰尘的区域或旅行时打开窗户使用它们。
平板薄膜键盘
这些通常不用作计算机键盘。您可以在打印机和复印机上找到它们。它们有两个相互平行的塑料膜。较低的在键盘底座上方的接触点上方有一个导电条。上层在导电条的对面有标志（字母、数字或图标）。当用户触摸任何标志时，薄膜的该部分会下降以将导电条推到接触点，从而触发按键。由于按下时本身没有声音警告，因此这些键盘包含哔声或灯光等可见警告，以告知用户按键已被注册。
全压薄膜键盘
这些是当今桌面上最常见的键盘类型。您可以将它们与老式遥控盒联系起来，只是在计算机键盘的情况下，它们不会轻易表明它们只是一个等待按下的凸起。每个键都是一个单独的塑料杯，按下时会下降。逻辑(Logic)和其他的一样：当你按下任何键时，薄膜会收缩，形成一个完整的电路，向计算机发送一个按键事件。易于清洁且难以处理，这种类型更适合所有类型的环境（水下除外？）。
直接开关键盘
无论您身在何处，您都可以在手机、手持设备和您需要知道您按下某个键的东西中找到这些信息。这些键盘(Keys)上的按键为您提供积极的反馈（一种清晰的感觉，告诉您的手指您按下了一个键）。它们通常是一些金属导体，上面覆盖着塑料，上面有符号（数字、字母和图标）。基板通常镀金以获得更好的导电性。当你按下任何键时，金属导体会下降到板上并形成一个完整的电路来告诉计算机已经按下了一个键。一个很好的（不准确的）键示例是鼠标键。当您按下鼠标键时，您可以告诉手指的物理感觉，它是直接切换键。
适用于 Windows PC 的好键盘
以下是已经在Windows Club上评测过的一些不错的键盘。我在这里介绍键盘的摘要。单击以下各项随附的链接，阅读(Click)Windows Club的其他作者对该键盘的完整评论。
Microsoft Arc 键盘
看起来(Looks)像一件艺术品，一件精心制作的艺术品，可以兼作键盘！你会注意到这个键盘的第一件事是它没有传统的箭头键。事实上，所有四个箭头键都绘制在一个以四种方式向下的键上，每一种都会触发不同类型的箭头键按下。
Microsoft BT 移动键盘 6000(Microsoft BT Mobile Keyboard 6000)
Microsoft的另一项设计，它非常适合用于所有类型的Windows设备：从台式电脑到Windows Phone甚至是Android手机。设计是曲线，使长时间打字更容易。最好的部分是——你可以避开数字键盘部分。我们大多数人习惯在笔记本上打字，数字键盘的存在通常非常烦人且占用空间。如果您认为不需要它，只需将它放在包/袋中，无论您从哪里取出它。是的，键盘非常纤薄，让您可以将它放在内置键盘损坏的笔记本电脑上！
Microsoft 桌面键盘 2000
如果您喜欢按键敲击键盘电路底座的声音，这款键盘适合您。为了增加体验，微软(Microsoft)声称它会在无线密钥信号通过无线电波传输到计算机上的USB接收器时对其进行加密。它带有一个鼠标，可以在不使用时关闭 - 以节省电池电量。仅仅看一眼，你不会注意到任何特别之处。当您开始使用它时，乐趣就开始了：更容易打字加上按键的物理反馈！键盘的优点是它具有专用的蓝色键，尤其适用于Windows 10/8/7。
Types Of Keyboard Hardware &Technologies For Windows PC
Keyboards have been an integral part of computer systems since the beginning. Though there are many types of input devices, keyboards are essential to perform most functions in an average computer with Windows operating systems. Did you ever wonder what type of keyboard to buy for Windows PC? If yes, here are some details that should help you decide.
Types Of Keyboard
There are two major types of computer keyboards: Basic and Extended. The Basic keyboard contains 104 keys and is enough to perform all the functions that can be done on a Windows PC. The Extended keyboard may have additional keys, and the design varies among the companies manufacturing them. These are usually customized keyboards that are specific to certain operating systems or applications. The best example I can think of, for Extended keyboards, is the Windows keyboard designed by Microsoft for use with its first “start screen” operating system.
Types of keyboard technologies
The Windows Club has already covered some good keyboards from Microsoft. We will be looking at them in a while. Before that, let us take a look at the different types of keyboard technologies. When I say keyboard technology, I speak of the mechanism that is used to send signals to the computer that a key was pressed or, a combination of keys were pressed. The work of translating key presses into digital information (key press, code of key, hold time, repeat instances, etc.) is done by the device drivers of the keyboard. You need not worry about drivers of keyboards as Windows OS has them built-in for most of the keyboards. Rarely, you may have to install keyboard drivers separately – in the case of special, extended keyboards.
Read: Best Mechanical Keyboards for Gaming and Work.
Scissor Switch Keyboards
These are the most common types found in notebooks and netbooks, especially from the HP and Compaq range. The keys are formed by a pair of plastic pieces that intertwine as if a scissor. When you press the key, they are flat across each other and touch a particular keyboard point to complete a circuit. This done, the keyboard driver determines the key pressed and sends the information to input buffer from where your operating system takes over the information.
The advantages of this type are that you need not press hard as the travel time of any key to the circuit board is very less. The problem is with cleaning as you cannot move the keys. A blower should help, but the better method to keep such keyboards clean is a precaution – avoid using them in areas with dust or when traveling, with windows open.
Flat Panel Membrane Keyboards
These are not generally used as computer keyboards. You can find them on printers and photocopiers. They have two plastic membranes parallel to each other. The lower one has a conductive strip places just above the contact points over the keyboard base. The upper one has signs (alphabets, numbers or icons) just opposite to the conductive strip. When user touched any sign, that part of membrane goes down to push the conductive strip to the contact points, triggering off a key-press. Since there is no audible warning on its own when pressed, these keyboards incorporate a beep sound or visible warning such as lights to tell the users that key-press has been registered.
Full Press Membrane Keyboards
These are the most common type of keyboards found on desktops these days. You can relate them to the old-fashioned remote control boxes, only that, in the case of computer keyboards, they do not easily give out that they are just a bulge waiting to be pressed. Each key is a separate plastic cup that goes down when pressed. Logic is the same as the others: when you press any key, the membrane shrinks so that a full circuit is formed to send out a key-press event to the computer. Easy to clean and tough to handle, this type is better for all types of environments (except underwater?).
Direct Switch Keyboards
You can find these in phones, handheld devices and things where you need to know you pressed a key irrespective of where you are. Keys on these keyboards give you positive feedback (a crisp feeling telling your fingers that you pressed a key). They are usually some metal conductors covered by plastic on the upper side that contains signs (numbers, alphabets, and icons). The base plate is usually gold plated for better conductivity. When you press any key, the metal conductor goes down to the plate and creates a complete circuit to tell the computer that a key has been pressed. A good (not exact) example of the keys would be the mouse keys. The way you can tell the physical feeling on your finger when you press a mouse key, it is a direct switch key.
Good Keyboards For Windows PC
The following are some of the good keyboards that have already been reviewed on The Windows Club. I am presenting a summary of the keyboards here. Click the links accompanying each of the following to read the full review of that keyboard by the other authors of The Windows Club.
The Microsoft Arc Keyboard
Looks like an art piece, a finely crafted artwork that doubles up as a keyboard! The first thing you will notice with this keyboard is that it does not have the traditional arrow keys. In fact, all four arrow keys are drawn on a single key that goes down in four ways, each triggering a different kind of arrow key press.
The Microsoft BT Mobile Keyboard 6000
Another design by Microsoft, this is just the perfect thing for use with all types of Windows devices: from desktop PCs to Windows Phone or even Android phone. The design is a curve, making it easier to type for long hours. The best part is – you can keep out the numeric keypad part. Most of us used to typing on notebooks, the presence of number pad is often very irritating and space consuming. If you think you won’t need it, just keep it in the bag/pouch wherever you took it out from. And yes, the keyboard is very slim, allowing you to keep it over a notebook whose built-in keyboard is damaged!
The Microsoft Desktop Keyboard 2000
If you love the sound of keys striking the base of keyboard circuits, this keyboard is for you. To add to the experience, Microsoft claims it encrypts the wireless key signals as they travel on radio waves to the USB receptor on the computer. It comes with a mouse that can be turned off when not in use – to save on battery. You would not notice anything special simply by looking at it. The fun begins when you start working on it: easier to type plus the physical feedback of key-press! The plus point about the keyboard is it has dedicated blue-colored keys especially for Windows 10/8/7.
