New keyboards on laptops

[Gibson486]

what's up with these newer keyboards on laptop (has a space between every key)? Are they doing away the older style version?

 

[dpodblood]

Depends totally on the manufacturer. I don't think the old style will ever be completely eliminated, but the chicklet style is becoming more and more popular.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The "new style" is called chiclet or island style keyboards. Some manufacturers still use the older style keyboards, such as Lenovo.

Just like glossy displays, though, chiclet style keyboards are growing in popularity, and pretty soon there'll only be a few manufacturers that AREN'T using them.

 

[dpodblood]

I think part of the reason the chicklet is growing in popularity is due to the growing market for 13" and smaller laptops & netbooks. Maybe they are easier to use on smaller machines. Personally I have no experience with the chicklet style.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I think part of the reason the chicklet is growing in popularity is due to the growing market for 13" and smaller laptops & netbooks. Maybe they are easier to use on smaller machines. Personally I have no experience with the chicklet style.

My previously laptop (ASUS UL30A) and current Envy 14 both have / had chiclet keyboards. I definitely prefer the key spacing and size over a comparable keyboard, unless the non-chiclet keyboard keys have great beveled edges (like my fiancée's previous XPS M1530). Overall, key action and firmness far outweigh the benefits of key size and spacing when it comes to typing, though. I'd take a good, solid keyboard of any type over something mushy - no matter how good it looks.

 

[Eug]

My previously laptop (ASUS UL30A) and current Envy 14 both have / had chiclet keyboards. I definitely prefer the key spacing and size over a comparable keyboard, unless the non-chiclet keyboard keys have great beveled edges (like my fiancée's previous XPS M1530).

Not sure what you mean. The key spacing of standard chicklet keyboards is the same as regular keyboards.

Overall, key action and firmness far outweigh the benefits of key size and spacing when it comes to typing, though. I'd take a good, solid keyboard of any type over something mushy - no matter how good it looks.

Yep.