Being a student is not an easy task, especially not with some of the latest changes in the education department due to the coronavirus. Most of the work that we as students have to do nowadays is usually from our computers at home. This type of work almost always includes typing on a keyboard, whether that’s for an essay or just regular paperwork.
You can be only as productive as your computer allows you to, which is why a lot of students in 2024 decided to invest in top-tier laptops and rigs. Certain professions, such as video editing, for example, require a more powerful rig, but other things such as writing essays and doing basic research can all be done on a laptop.
It’s not an easy task to write for a long time on a keyboard that’s not very pleasant on your fingers, but with laptops, you don’t have a lot of choices, unless, you purchase an external one that you can attach. This is exactly what we recommend you do if you’re having difficulties getting used to the stock laptop keyboard, or if you’re using a desktop PC, you should consider investing in a solid one anyway.
In today’s article we’ll help you choose the best keyboard for students in 2024, so let’s take a look at some of the most important factors that you need to consider when buying such a product.
Table of Contents
Mechanical or not?
Mechanical keyboards have a lot of advantages, but they’re also a bit pricier compared to other types. Also, most of them are meant for gaming, so you might end up paying a bit more for features that you don’t quite need if you just want to focus on typing.
But, this doesn’t mean you cannot find a solid keyboard that’s mechanical and doesn’t come with extra gimmicks and things such as RGB lighting and features such as anti-ghosting. We think that you should be buying a mechanical one because the typing is a lot more satisfying compared to when you’re using a regular one, but the decision is yours to make.
If you’re currently in the process of making up your mind on what you should purchase, but you have some paperwork that needs to be done in the meanwhile, essayrx.com is a website where someone can help you with that task until you purchase your new keyboard.
What type of switches?
If you choose to purchase a mechanical keyboard, the next important question that you’ll have to answer is what kind of switches you want. There are a few different popular choices, so let’s take a look at what each one of those has to offer for your typing experience.
- Red Switches (Easiest to press, great for gaming and they don’t make a lot of noise. The keyboards that use them are not very expensive.)
- Blue Switches (A bit more difficult to press and they make a lot of noise, so they’re not great for gaming but they provide you with the best typewriter-like feeling when you’re using them.)
- Brown Switches (A bit of a mix between red and blue, and they’re the best middle ground for people who cannot decide what they want.)
With or without a NumPad?
Numpad is very useful for people who often have to use the numbers on the keyboard for various mathematical calculations, but if you’re not a person who does that on the regular, chances are you won’t need this extra feature. Keyboards that don’t have a Numpad are less expensive to purchase, and most importantly, they take less room on your desk.
By having more free space on your working table you’ll feel a lot more comfortable. You’ll also notice that your hand won’t be constantly bumping into the keyboard while using the mouse, which happens regularly when you’re using a large keyboard with a Numpad.
A few suggestions
- The Keychron K4 Model
- Corsair K70 RGB MK.2
- Logitech K780
- Genesis Thor 300
- Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic
- Roccat RYOS MK PRO
- Microsoft Universal Foldable
- Razer Blackwidow X Chroma
- Roccat Vulcan 120 AIMO
- Corsair K95 RGB Platinum XT
- SteelSeries APEX 7 TKL
- Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB Split
- Logitech G513 Carbon
All of these models have unique features, and their designs vary quite a lot, which is why we chose to add them to this list. They are very different and you should be able to find what you need from this shortlist of suggestions. The price ranges also vary, but that’s good because you can choose according to your current budget.
You may or may not some of the brands listed above, but with just a few clicks you can research all about these products. Some of these keyboards are from lesser-known brands, and some are manufactured by some of the best ones in the entire industry, such as Razer, Corsair, Logitech, and SteelSeries. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give less-known brands a chance.
For example, Genesis is a brand that makes very solid products but they’re not well-known yet. Their Genesis Thor 300 keyboard with blue switches is one of the best ones out there on the market when it comes to typing.
Choosing a brand
Last but not least, you must choose a good brand, but you shouldn’t always aim for the ones with the most expensive products. Also, some brands are not available in every part of the world, so you’ll have to settle for something else if this is the current case in your living area. Do not get discouraged, however, and before heading to the store, choose a few different models that you want to purchase and make a list. If the first item on your list cannot be purchased because of availability reasons, move on to the next one, and so on.
Keyboards are something that you use for a few years and then you throw it away, so don’t stress too much about the warranty. The lesser-known brands usually give out better warranties because they need to attract more customers, so that’s just another reason to buy from them, besides the fact that you’re saving money.
