The Basics

As we all know, computer keyboards are an arrangement of square or rectangular buttons, or "keys". Keyboards generally have characters engraved or printed on the keys; in most cases, each press of a key corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence. Some keys do not produce any symbol, but instead affect the operation of the computer or the keyboard itself. The number of keys on a keyboard varies from the original standard of 101 all the way up to 130 keys or more.

With respect to the laptop or computer, a keyboard is classified as an input device used to produce output content like documents and to operate the entire computer, in effect it is the cockpit of the plane in effect, and a basically is a series of switches connected to a microprocessor that monitors the state of each switch and initiates a specific response to a change in that state. With an input of typing the Keyboard selects the characters or symbols to be sent, then holds this information in a memory buffer before sending it.

Did you know ?

The standard computer keyboard arrangement used today (QWERTY format) is based on the traditional typewriter keyboard and although other designs do exist they are rarely observed on Laptops! different keyboard layouts have been created because there is a need for easy access to the non-standard QWERTY symbols. For example there are unique designs for engineering, mathematics, accounting or computer programming. Non English language keyboards also exist.

Many keyboards connect to the computer through a cable with a PS/2 or USB connector. Laptops use internal connectors to do this.

Looking at most laptops it can clearly be seen that the keyboard and the screen are the two most vulnerable, and exposed components of the laptop and hence subject to the most wear and tear. The keyboard on a laptop has smaller and more fragile parts than a desktop computer and tends to be damaged much more with prolonged use. To compound this, the keys of a typical keyboard, which can usually be removed and reinserted without a problem, laptop keyboard keys often end up broken if they are removed.

Fortunately we supply laptop keyboards for all the major brands, to the OEM quality, which means it will not cost as much to replace.