If you are someone that uses both a laptop and a desktop fairly often, you may find it annoying to switch between the two keyboard styles. This is a good reason to look for some examples of desktop keyboards that feel like laptop keyboards.
Finding the right keyboard for you is so important. If you spend even a few hours a day at your computer, be it for work or gaming, you will want to feel comfortable. You will want to type easily. You will, above all else, want to find a keyboard that you like.
Some people love mechanical keyboards, they have a great tactile feel and the click-clack of keystrokes can be very soothing. As someone who has regularly worked with a mechanical keyboard, I can tell you that the noise they make can be very therapeutic and conducive to the writing process. But, that isn’t the case for everyone.
Not everyone likes the look, sound, or feel of the standard desktop keyboard. Some people prefer a laptop keyboard. It could be for its sleek look, its relative silence compared to its counterpart or the ease with which you can type.
This article is going to break down everything you need to know about desktop and laptop keyboards into bite-size chunks so you can get a pretty good idea of what their relative pros and cons are.
Hopefully, by the end, you’ll know which keyboard is right for you. Whether or not a laptop keyboard for your desktop is right for you. Lastly, you’ll find a brief section at the end of the article listing a few laptop-like keyboards that are perfect for use with a desktop.
In a hurry? My favorite desktop keyboard that feels like a laptop keyboard is the HP Wireless Elite Keyboard v2. Great price, and feels EXACTLY like a laptop in my opinion. Check it out on Amazon.
Table of Contents
What is unique about a laptop keyboard?
Laptop keyboards have been one of the most interesting yet overlook parts of the computer boom. Over as short a period as just the last 10 years, laptop keyboards have been completely revolutionized into what they are today.
They were, originally, not all that different from your standard keyboard. Now, however, they are something new altogether. Laptop keyboards are designed to be as space-efficient as possible. Whilst, remaining comfortable. Unlike standard keyboards that can be elevated and slanted for comfort, laptops have no such luxury. They instead make use of clever little things called chiclet keys.
Chiclet keys are slightly elevated keys with about 2mm of space on either side. This has created distance and space between each key. Especially once it has been pressed. The elevated key cleverly creates more space between it and its neighbor key every time it is pressed down. Making touch typing that much easier.
Laptops are almost entirely used for working rather than gaming. Making typing that much more important. The chiclet keys are also relatively quiet. But not silent. This is great for most people, if you are working in an office then loud keystrokes are going to get on everyone’s nerves. Combined with everyone else keystrokes you would very quickly have a cacophony of click-clacks.
Laptop keyboards also have smooth, rounded, edges. Opposed to your traditional keyboard that has slanted, sharp degreed, edges. Some keyboards have square keys, while chiclet keys are often very slightly rectangular.
They are longer in height, shorter in width. This is to maximize the space on the keyboard. You couldn’t spread the keyboard layout out any wider or you lose the room to rest your hands at the sides. Instead, the keyboard extends further vertically.
Standard keyboards don’t have hand rests on the side, you would just rest your hand on the desk. The whole idea of a LAPTOP is that it will frequently be used on your lap.
What characteristics do desktop keyboards typically have?
A desktop keyboard is traditionally a lot larger than its laptop counterpart. A laptop needs to consider portability and comfortability when sat on your lap. A desktop keyboard has no such limitations. This can mean they are more comfortable to type on due to better spacing.
Conversely, you may find them less comfortable since your hands are required to move further for each keystroke. There are typically no hand rests on each side of the keyboard, or at least there is less likely to be. However, there is often a hand rest at the bottom of the keyboard. This is to support your wrists as much as possible, it can be very strenuous for them and can even lead to issues like carpal tunnel syndrome without these wrests.
Desktop keyboard keys, especially mechanical ones, are much larger than laptop ones. They have a much deeper point of actuation (when the key registers as being pressed) meaning they are good for people who like to FEEL like they pressed the key.
This is great for gamers, who need to ensure they are pressing the right keys in the right order. This isn’t so great for people who are trying to type both accurately and quickly.
You could argue that needing to press the key further requires more effort and more time decreasing your word output over long periods. However, you could also argue that knowing you have pressed the key or not can increase accuracy as you simply don’t move on to the next letter until the last one feels as if it has been pressed.
However, many people are already pressing the next key before their finger has even left the previous one. This is all preference-based, there is no right or wrong answer for whether you prefer desktop or laptop keyboards.
Table comparison of laptop keyboards and desktop keyboards
| Laptop Keyboards | Desktop Keyboards |
|---|---|
| Mostly for work | Work and gaming |
| Quieter | Louder |
| Smaller keys and smaller board | Larger keys and larger board |
| Smooth, rounded, edges. | Slanted, sharp degreed, edges |
| Rectangular keys | Square keys |
| Room to rest hands on side | No hand rests on the side |
Keep in mind, this table is just comparing the typical laptop keyboard to a typical desktop keyboard. There are so many keyboards created of course not all of them follow these rules.
However, if you’re trying to find a desktop keyboard that feels like a laptop keyboard, these are some of the features you may be looking for and may be used to.
Why might someone want to find a desktop keyboard that feels like a laptop one?
As mentioned above, there are many key distinctions between desktop and laptop keyboards. Where one shines the other might leave a little to be desired. When it comes to why someone might want a laptop keyboard for their desktop, there are plenty of good reasons.
For example, if you find the feel and noise of using a laptop keyboard preferable switching back to a noisy desktop keyboard may be unsettling and frustrating. Instead, you may want a keyboard that mimics that of your laptop as closely as possible.
When it comes to speed and efficiency with typing, words typed per minute can greatly affect your work output for the day. If you are expected to type a few thousand words every day then even a 10% decrease in speed is a huge drop off in output.
Switching between two vastly different keyboards will cause you to go through an adjustment period each time you switch. During which time you will type slower, you will type less accurately, and you will get less work done. Finding a laptop keyboard for your desktop will eliminate this adjustment period as much as possible.
Three desktop keyboards that feel like a laptop:
So, you can see why someone might want a desktop keyboard that feels like a laptop one. But, now we need to find a specific model. Here are three great options that are both comfortable and affordable. They each have their pros and cons to help you decide which might be best for you. They are listed in no particular order, as what will be best for you is a matter of preference.
Price comparison table:
| Laptop Keyboard | Price Comparison |
|---|---|
| Logitech K360 | $$$ |
| HP Wireless elite keyboard V2 | $$ |
| HP Wireless keyboard and mouse 200 | $ |
Per Amazon rules, I can’t disclose exact prices. This is a visual representation of the price compared to each other. The more “$” means a higher price comparatively.
Logitech K360
The Logitech K360 is perfect for both PC and Mac, so you have some flexibility there. This keyboard is wireless, making it very convenient and easy to use, easy to store, and easy to transport.
It has a battery life of about 3 years, so charging it up is not going to be an issue. It even has programmable hotkeys so it is perfect for running clever little macros or gaming. Maybe both.
It has a Bluetooth range of about 10 meters and is highly secure. Keystrokes are strongly encrypted, so there is no risk of your data being stolen.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
HP Wireless elite keyboard V2
If you are familiar with modern HP laptops you will be familiar with this keyboard. It is as close to the laptop keyboard as you are going to get.
It has a sleek, clean, look that will make you forget you aren’t typing on a laptop. The keystrokes are pretty quiet and have relatively good feedback.
Since it is a wireless keyboard, it does rely on a battery. Two AAA batteries to be precise. So its battery life isn’t great. But, it does have a decent Bluetooth range of about 10 meters and is capable of connecting with up to 5 devices at once.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
HP Wireless keyboard and mouse 300
The HP wireless keyboard and mouse 300 is very similar to the one mentioned above, it just has a little more functionality. This keyboard has 111 keys and 12 function keys, all as silent as possible.
The battery life is pretty good, about 12 months, so you don’t have to fret over having your keyboard die on you at work. This keyboard comes with a compatible mouse, both are Bluetooth capable up to a range of 10 meters.
There are quick access and multimedia keys on the edges of this keyboard which are super helpful. Also, the one USB Bluetooth dongle works for both the keyboard and mouse saving you port space on your PC.
If you’d like to learn more or read more reviews, check it out on Amazon.
Conclusion:
Hopefully, you now have a good idea of whether or not a laptop keyboard is what you are looking for. And if so, which one in particular. All of the above-mentioned keyboards are pretty great with good Amazon reviews. So you are making a safe bet either way. A good keyboard can make a world of difference. Be it with your work, or your gaming, you are holding yourself back by using one that you don’t find comfortable.