# Why do Computer Keyboards Suck?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531>\
**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:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/41 "2010-01-28T01:50:12Z")

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I just took the typing test linked up-thread and scored 122 wpm, no errors. On a crummy little laptop keyboard. I can type way faster on a little laptop keyboard than I can on one of those big whonking electric typewriters. The laptop keyboard requires less effort to press each key, which increases my speed. Also probably increases my risk of carpal tunnel, but them’s the breaks, kid.

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**Author:** ![Uncertain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Uncertain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncertain)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/42 "2010-01-28T14:41:35Z")

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Mine blows. I think there’s a DIP switch inside that changes it.

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**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\
**Post date:** [January 28, 2010, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-computer-keyboards-suck/526531/43 "2010-01-28T17:00:19Z")

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> [@groman](#):
>
> I can sustain about 80WPM on almost any keyboard I use and I’m not even a typist.

> [@Athena](#):
>
> I’m not a professional typist, but I can do 90-100 wpm on a computer keyboard.

> [@Roland\_Orzabal](#):
>
> I’m not a professional typist, nor do I consider myself exceptionally speedy among my peers (programmers and the like), but I was clocked at 85 wpm by a staffing agency three years ago. [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.

> [@Athena](#):
>
> Going purely for speed, I got 101 wpm from that test.

> [@AHunter3](#):
>
> I’m a pretty reliable 70-75 WPM (standard typing test, unfamiliar keyboard etc).
> 
> I use [one of these](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Apple_Extended_Keyboard.jpg/350px-Apple_Extended_Keyboard.jpg), attached via an iMate USB to ADB adapter, and although I can’t sustain it I exceed 120 WPM in bursts (and when I fall behind that it’s my error rate not the limitation of the keyboard).

> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#):
>
> I personally type about 70 to 80 wpm. One of my former secretaries commented that I was amazingly fast considering how wrong I did it.

> [@Stealth\_Potato](#):
>
> 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.

[quote=“Gary “Wombat” Robson, post:34, topic:526531”]

Using the Mavis Bacon Typing Tutor, I tested at 95 wpm and my wife tested at 110 wpm.  
[/QUOTE]

> [@tim314](#):
>
> 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.

> [@MsWhatsit](#):
>
> I just took the typing test linked up-thread and scored 122 wpm, no errors.

Wow … I can type 10 inches … uh, I mean type an IQ of 155 … uhh, what? 😃

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