In box
In addition to pure keyboards, there are
keyboard + mouse sets on the modern market. Usually, these are wireless devices with a radio channel connection (see "Connection type"), but there are also wired sets. Anyway, buying a set may be more convenient than buying each item separately: for example, when connected via radio, the keyboard and mouse from one set will use one adapter to work. On the other hand, a complete mouse may not be suitable, and sometimes it's easier to choose a "rodent" separately.
Cable length
The length of the cable that the keyboard is equipped with for wired connection (see "Connection type").
When choosing this parameter, you should first of all take into account the distance from the device to the connection port: a cable that is too short may simply not reach the connector, and a cable that is too long may get confused at hand and create inconvenience. As for specific values, the reference length is 1.8 m. However, there are cables both shorter and longer.
Anti-Ghosting
Technology aimed at neutralizing phantom button presses in keyboards with gaming ambitions. The function allows you to simultaneously press numerous keys without false positives of adjacent buttons — a similar situation often occurs in membrane keyboards due to their design features.
#KRO
A parameter that determines the maximum number of simultaneously pressed keys, the signal from which the keyboard is able to process and transmit to the computer. Instead of the "lattice" symbol in the abbreviation KRO, a number is indicated showing the allowable number of simultaneously pressed buttons. Most membrane keyboards come in the 2KRO and 3KRO grades, mechanical models usually start at 6KRO. The NKRO marking says that it is possible to issue a signal from an unlimited number of keys in one sitting.
Fn key
The presence on the keyboard of the
Fn key(short for function). It belongs to modifiers, similar to Shift or Ctrl: by itself it does not perform any action, but when pressed simultaneously with another key, it changes its original purpose. Fn is often found in compact keyboards (see "Format"), but can also be set in full-sized ones. The features it provides include quickly changing the screen brightness or sound volume directly from the keyboard, using the centre keys as a Numpad, launching individual applications, and so on. Specific features of using the Fn key depend on the keyboard model.
Cyrillic colour
The colour of the Cyrillic letters printed on the keyboard.
This colour is usually chosen so that the letters are clearly visible. This point does not affect the functionality of the keyboard, and the choice in this case depends mainly on personal preferences. However, there is also a practical point: for inexperienced users who have not mastered touch typing, it is desirable that the letters stand out as much as possible against the background of the keys.
Transparent letters are a separate case — they are used in keyboards equipped with a backlight (see below), due to which such characters, when the backlight is on, are visible even in the dark.
Volume control
Volume control methodprovided in the keyboard (if such a possibility is provided at all).
—
Through Fn. Adjustment using the Fn key (see above): increasing and decreasing the volume is carried out by simultaneously pressing Fn and one of the main keys of the keyboard (usually from the F1 — F12 row), The main advantage of this control is that it allows you not to overload the keyboard with additional controls — this, in turn, has a positive effect on the dimensions and cost. The disadvantage is the need to simultaneously press two keys, which is not always convenient.
— Additional keys.
Control with additional keys specially designed for working with volume. A very convenient and practical option: additional keys are usually clearly labeled, while they take up less space and are cheaper than a wheel or a touch slider (see below).
— Wheel.
Control by means of a mechanical wheel, the rotation of which up and down or left and right provides a change in volume. A fairly user-friendly option — visual, intuitive and accessible even blindly. At the same time, the wheel can take up quite a lot of space, and it significantly affects the cost of the keyboard.
— Touch slider. Management using a touch surface, the movement of a finger in one direction or another. The sensor takes up minimal space, looks neat
...and generally fits well with the overall design of the keyboard, but it is not cheap. Therefore, this option is extremely rare, mainly in high-end gaming or multimedia keyboards. Game mode
The presence in the keyboard of a special
game mode.
This function is found exclusively in models of the corresponding specialization (see "Intended use"). Enabling Game Mode disables some of the keys and keyboard shortcuts used by the system, such as the Windows Start menu button and the context menu button. Thanks to this, you do not have to worry that an accidental key press will call a system function and interrupt the game.
In many models, you can customize a specific set of keys that are deactivated in the game mode.
Number of buttons
The number of buttons in the design of the mouse, which is included in the kit. The minimum number of such buttons to work in most modern operating systems is two, and a larger number, usually, means that the mouse has additional functions. For example, the third key can be used to change the resolution of the mouse sensor on the fly, for the function of double or triple click (the latter is used in games for shooting in short bursts); a pair of buttons on the side under the thumb is usually configured for the "back" and "forward" functions in the browser, etc. And in gaming mice, there can be more than a dozen additional buttons for the fastest access to various game functions.