# Why do Computer Keyboards Suck? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 26, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531 "2010-01-26T17:24:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/21 "2010-01-26T19:35:53Z")
Could it be just a matter of use? I learned to type on a manual typewriter in school and averaged 55wpm Later I switched to an electric typewriter and shot up to about 70wpm But after years of use on an electric typewriter I could never get used to the manual one again, and when I had to use a manual typewriter I fell way back down again. On my computer I am about 50wpm. The touch of the computer keyboard is much lighter than that of a electric Wireless keyboards are all but usless for anyone over 40wpm. It seems the speed of 40wpm is too fast for the wireless mechanism to cope. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/22 "2010-01-26T19:45:53Z")
Where are you going to find a “professional typist” nowadays? The closest you’ll come are transcriptionists. If you want a super-fast transcriptionist you’ll have to pay more than for an $8/hour administrative assistant. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/23 "2010-01-26T19:49:08Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if I get carpal tunnel. When I type on a keyboard, I just move my fingers and wrists with my arms at an angle / . If I were to take out my huge IBM typewriter (I can’t remember what model right now) I would have to move my fingers, forearms and shoulders not to type but to roll the paper forward, etc. There’s just more action involved. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/24 "2010-01-26T20:00:07Z")
:smack: Programming probably wrecked my typing skills too. Even in COBOL, you’re not typing complete sentences and paragraphs. I enter short stuff, like - Move Zeroes to WS-Rec-Cnt. That’s a lot different than compound sentences. Same is true of my ten key adding machine skills. I used to be be very quick and accurate. I don’t bother using the touch method with a computer num pad. My hand doesn’t fit correctly. Hit the numlock by accident, and you’re screwed. It’s easier for me to look when I use the number pad. I have seen ladies at work do it by touch. QUOTE=yabob;12040988]However, if we go even earlier, you have teletype keyboards. I actually learned to touch type decently in high school. My first experiences with FORTRAN on model 33 teletypes wrecked all that - partially because of the nature of the keyboard, partially because programming meant typing large numbers of odd characters and control keys that traditional typing techniques didn’t account for. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/25 "2010-01-26T20:06:47Z")
> [@gotpasswords](#): > > . > > As for why computer keyboards are so universally lousy, it’s because they’re built to hit the lowest possible price point. If Dell can sell a basic desktop PC for $400 and include a keyboard and mouse, there’s not much room for either of those to be any good. In economic theory, you can buy anything from the cheapest piece of crap to the bestest thing ever built and anything inbetween depending on what you want to spend. My life experience has been that once someone gets good at making something dirt cheap but workable, it drives most of the others outa business for the most part. I call it the Walmartization of America. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/26 "2010-01-26T20:14:00Z")
I just remember this. On the SyFy channel show, “Warehouse 13,” one of the characters using a typewriter instead of a keyboard to type on the computer. Do such typewriter keyboards exist outside of the prop room? ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/27 "2010-01-26T20:20:45Z")
> [@Jormungandr](#): > > I just remember this. On the SyFy channel show, “Warehouse 13,” one of the characters using a typewriter instead of a keyboard to type on the computer. Do such typewriter keyboards exist outside of the prop room? [That](http://fredericsierra.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/warehouse-13-et-le-surnateum/)’s actually a heavily modified [IBM Model M](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M), the same keyboard the OP probably means by “IBM AT”. [I think this is the site of the guy who makes those mods](http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/keyboards.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/28 "2010-01-26T20:27:30Z")
Actually, looking at the closeups of that keyboard it appears not to be an IBM but some other mechanical switch board. Probably Cherry keys. [Yeah, the FAQ sais he uses cherry-based keyboards](http://www.datamancer.net/keyboards/keyboardfaq.htm). [I did find an IBM-based mod](http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/29 "2010-01-26T21:49:02Z")
> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#): > > [This online test](http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/), while probably not calibrated to any particular set of standards, scored me at 91 wpm (with one error) just a moment ago. I got 98 wpm with no errors, on a [Razer Lycosa](http://www.ocmodshop.com/images/previews/hardware/razer_products_07/lycosa_05.jpg) keyboard. I was slightly surprised, since it’s been years since I tested my typing speed, and I’ve never had much reason to shoot for high WPM counts anyway. I do a lot of programming, and quite aside from the fact that punctuation and whitespace tend to dominate, it’s the thinking part that takes the time, so there’s not much need for fingers that can fly across the keys. Even when I’m writing other things – emails, message board posts, technical documents, fiction – I usually spend more time thinking than typing. Bursts of rapid output occur, but are brief. I’ve never been trained as a typist, either, and I’m pretty sure I’m doing it completely wrong. (Home row? What’s that? :p) ---
**Author:** ![Terry\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c57346/32.png) [@Terry\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terry_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/30 "2010-01-27T04:32:15Z")
> [@groman](#): > > You can get a quality keyboard that’s a lot like the Selectric [over here](http://www.clickykeyboards.com/). 🙂 That looks more like an old Northgate keyboard. [Here](http://www.tmk.com/transient/6F5S7538-s.jpg) is a _real_ Selectric-style keyboard that I designed many years ago. I had a dozen or so prototypes run off by Micro Switch. It has the same elevation, key feel and layout (with an additional top row for computer-specific keys) as the Selectric. The Shift Lock key latches down just like the Selectric, and either Shift key releases it. Don’t ask what it cost, even in 1979. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/31 "2010-01-27T05:12:49Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > There are lots of great ones available, you should try the Das Keyboard or the tactile line from Deck. For those who’ve never seen it, here is Das Keyboard, the ultimate geek keyboard: > **[Das Keyboard - The Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard Experience for Overachievers](https://www.daskeyboard.com/)** > > Das Keyboard offers the ultimate experience with high-performance mechanical keyboards with superior durability, construction, and design. The mechanical key switches provide tactile and audio feedback for the best experience. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/32 "2010-01-27T05:27:58Z")
The problem with “the good” keyboards is noise. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/33 "2010-01-27T06:21:02Z")
Also worth looking into is the [Avant Stellar](http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm). It’s the reincarnation of the Northgate. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/34 "2010-01-27T06:39:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Today, even the best typists aren’t doing better than 60 words a minute on computer keyboards. It’s rare to even find someone doing 50. Using the Mavis Bacon Typing Tutor, I tested at 95 wpm and my wife tested at 110 wpm. I was using a standard Apple keyboard and she was using whatever came with her Dell. On her steno keyboard, she’s tested at over 250 wpm, but that’s different 😉 ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/35 "2010-01-27T07:53:24Z")
I learned to type on Apple IIe’s back in the day, and I hated those keyboards. I also typed on my mom’s manual typewriter back then too, and I was always the slowest typist on it. Personally I type the fastest on the low rise keyboards like what you’d find on a laptop. I like how quiet they are too. Those IBM AT keyboards are a crime against nature with their constant ping-ping-ping gha! Minor threadjack; Does anyone know of a robust low rise keyboard that can take a lot of abuse? I seem to kill keyboards. ---
**Author:** ![Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/36 "2010-01-27T14:47:39Z")
> [@xash](#): > > For those who’ve never seen it, here is Das Keyboard, the ultimate geek keyboard: > > [http://www.daskeyboard.com/](http://www.daskeyboard.com/) Nah, [this is the ultimate geek keyboard](http://en.akihabaranews.com/6979/pc/happy-hacking-pro-keyboard-with-usb-hub). ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/37 "2010-01-27T15:35:45Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > It’s ironic that professional typists were doing 80 to 90 words a minute on the IBM Selectric typewriters. Today, even the best typists aren’t doing better than 60 words a minute on computer keyboards. It’s rare to even find someone doing 50. That can’t possibly be true. I just took [this typing test](http://www.typeonline.co.uk/typingspeed.php) and got 72 words per minute with zero mistakes, typing on my crappy laptop keyboard. I’m sure I could have done over 80 if I hadn’t backspaced a few times to correct typos. I’m not a professional typist, although I do spend all my day working on a computer. ---
**Author:** ![Animastryfe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Animastryfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Animastryfe)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/38 "2010-01-27T17:44:55Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Today, even the best typists aren’t doing better than 60 words a minute on computer keyboards. It’s rare to even find someone doing 50. Most of my highschool friends and college friends who do non-trivial amounts of typing can all go over 60. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/39 "2010-01-28T01:09:32Z")
[slight hijack] Anyone know of an online typing speed test that doesn’t require you to copy something? [/slight hijack] CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/40 "2010-01-28T01:35:36Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Where are you going to find a “professional typist” nowadays? The closest you’ll come are transcriptionists. If you want a super-fast transcriptionist you’ll have to pay more than for an $8/hour administrative assistant. Oh yeah, court reporters / live closed-captioners are specially trained and don’t even use normal keyboards. I’ve seen the things, they have fewer keys that cluster several commonly used letters together. It’s pretty intense stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531.md?page=3)