Most Laptop Keyboards are terrible.

Why why why?

[explorador]

Over the years something has become evident to me: not everybody can type fast, makes sense companies are not making good keyboards (people don't care), but this makes the matter worse. Some secretaries and programmers are the ones I've seen typing really fast.

Every time I'm about to change hardware (computer) I take time to research and test, it used to be easy "memory, cpu, hdd" etc. Now some of my best options are fine except for the keyboard... the layout is terrible, little keys trimmed next to each other or they seem like small buttons, no key feeling.

I'm far more better at typing than coding :/ feel my pain. While looking for keyboards on the web found lots of complains and pages about "why laptop keyboards suck?" so I'm not the only one.

I'm curious, my current laptop is fantastic but the keyboard... not so much, I'm wondering how possible (without problems) its change it with another one compatible with the same model but diff language distribution, any ideas? comments? it's an asus

[tangor]

laptop keyboards are a category different, goes with the beast. Most are, for touch typists who grew up on manual typewriters, then Selectrics to the original 20 lb terminal keyboards, then the later bunch (what we use most days, mechanical switch or rebound)... laptops just don't feel right.

That said, it's a poor handyman who blames his tools.

For two months I was forced to use a laptop because my main system died and had to save a few bucks to replace it... That keyboard (Acer) was TERRIBLE! But, after three days I got used to it and was back to 90% of my usual speed. I also, for "fine work" plugged in a standard USB keyboard and got the job done.

But the beast is what it is. You can't have good key-touch with a laptop without turning it into something that is NOT portable, NOT light, NOT more dollars than a comparable powerhouse desktop.

Always had the external keyboard and mouse for my laptops... but I did give the laptop keyboard a real workout and found it wasn't THAT bad. :)

And if it was all I had I could adjust. YMMV

As far as language/keyboard layout, that's software based and many machine/OS shojld be able to handle that.

[encyclo]

I solved this problem by only buying Thinkpad T-series laptops, in my case custom-ordered with a French-Canadian keyboard and English OS. The business Thinkpads (not the consumer models) are about the only laptops with proper keyboards these days. My main machine is a T420 bought in 2012. Haven't found a reason to upgrade yet (although I'm on my third battery).

[J_RaD]

want a laptop with a decent keyboard...

[pcper.com...]

they had to make space for the switches somewhere......looks...like.....yuck.

[ThomasW]

LOL
I was just going to reply with "Buy a ThinkPad", but looks like encyclo beat me to it!
As he points out, not all ThinkPads are created equal (especially these days), so go for one in the T-Series to be safe, although it's best to try in person for such things if possible of course. ThinkPad dealers are few and far between these days...
The best laptop keyboard I ever used was on my i Series [1400?] ThinkPad we got in '99. Such a joy to type on and use, although ironically that series was manufactured by Acer, not IBM (go figure!)
It's kind of slow these days and it's tough going with Windows 98, but my current T60p is also fantastic overall, and the keyboard is lovely as well.

[RedBar]

All my laptops have almost perfect keyboard condition since I hardly ever use them! For the past 14-15 years I have used a full-size wireless keyboard and mouse, actually the mouse died a few months ago, it's been a very good investment.